Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike (middle); Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo (left) and former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (right) at the inauguration of Rumuogba flyover on Tuesday.
From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike, has announced plan by his administration to build a world class cancer and cardiovascular disease centre in the State.
Governor Wike who disclosed this on Tuesday, during the inauguration of the Rumuogba flyover in Port Harcourt, said the contract for the project will be signed in the next two weeks.
He said the Deputy Governor and other members of their team know that even if they are in their second tenure, they cannot rest on their oars in providing service and projects to Rivers people.
“For me, Rivers State deserves the best. I’ve told the Deputy Governor and our team, yes, this is our second tenure but we are going to work as if it is our first tenure. That is what we are doing.
“We are not interested in going to Abuja everyday to stay. We are interested in staying in our State and developing it with the resources that God has given to us.
“Let me tell the people of the Rivers State today, in the next two weeks Julius Berger Nigeria PLC will come back and sign a contract with Rivers State Government, a project where we are going to build a Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Centre. It shall be the best in this country and shall be completed in 14 months.”
The governor said the inauguration of the Rumuogba flyover had left so many people speechless because they least expected that such feat would be accomplished.
He stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) do not have room for excuses because they always fulfil any promise they make to the people to improve the socioeconomic status of Rivers state and its people.
According to Governor Wike, Rivers people should expect inauguration of five more flyovers in the next 12months, that will include the Rumuola, Ogbunuabali, GRA, Aba Road Rumukalagbor and Ikwerre road -Olu-Obasanjo flyovers.
“This is one of the three flyovers that we signed with Julius Berger Nigeria PLC sometime in 2019. The others are the Okoro-nu-odo flyover and the Rebisi flyover. We gave them 16months.
“So many people thought we will not accomplish it. They thought it will be one of those elephant projects that will be abandoned by our administration.
“But to the glory of God, giving us the resources, giving us the strength, and giving us the wisdom, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC completed these three flyovers in 14months.
“Already, there are three other flyovers that are on-going. The Rumuola flyover, the GRA flyover and the Ogbunuabali flyover.
“We have just signed the flyovers 7 and 8 and we are going to pay Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 70 percent upfront. We don’t want to hear that the project cannot be completed. So, in the next one year, we are going to commission another five flyovers to the glory of God.”
The governor took a swipe at critics who for want of what to say are faulting engineering design of the Okoro-Nu-Odo flyover because they are baffled how God has helped his administration not only to pay salary but to execute quality projects.
Inaugurating the Rumuogba flyover, Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, expressed delight at the untiring efforts of Governor Wike in transforming the landscape of Rivers State and particularly Port Harcourt with people oriented projects.
According to him, Governor Wike has also demonstrated nationalistic spirit by creating a conducive climate that has promoted peace, and unity among all residents in the state.
“We respect you because most of the time, you’re on the ground here in Rivers State taking care of the good people of your state. I want to say not all governors can say the same. Keep on moving, keep on doing the right thing.
“Being a governor is a very serious assignment. It is a contract between you and your people for 8years. Now, we are almost 6years, we have just 2years plus for you to be in Government House in Rivers State before by the grace of God you’ll move forward for the national assignment.”
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the Rumuogba flyover is the last of the triplets flyover projects conceived by Governor Wike who possesses long term vision, high ambitions and far sightedness.
