Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has stated that the people of Rivers are determined to prevent anyone from leading them as governor if they have robbed the state’s assets.
Governor Wike emphasized that the determination is based on the desire to protect the State from those who are just interested in robbing the citizens of Rivers State of their property.
The statement was made by Governor Wike on Thursday shortly after the State government and Julius Berger Nigeria PLC signed a contract at Government House in Port Harcourt for the construction of the eleventh (11th) and twelfth (12th) flyover bridges as well as the dualization of Azikiwe Street-Illoabuchi Road.
On behalf of the state government, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, Dr. Dakorinama George-Kelly, Commissioner for Works, and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Ebere Dennis-Emenike, signed. On behalf of the construction company, Dr. Lars Richter, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, and Juergen Fischer, Regional Manager of Julius Berger signed.
According to the governor of Rivers State, these thieves are scrambling to hide their criminal activity, and the people of Rivers will not allow those who do not have the state’s best interests at heart to run its business.
“This State must be guarded. We cannot allow people who don’t have the interest of this State to take over the affairs of this State. People who have looted the treasury of the State clearly.”
Governor Wike argued that true state lovers, not looters, should run for governor and identify themselves as such.
The governor named Chibuike Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and minister of transportation, as well as Tonye Cole, a candidate for governor of Rivers in the All Progressives Congress (APC), as those who had been clearly identified as having pillaged the state.
“They can run helter-skelter to stop their arraignment, but they must be arraigned and tried. What Rivers people will hear, Rivers people will be shocked to know what the former governor of the State and Minister did in this state with his partner, Tonye Cole.
“If they (Ameachi and Cole) like, let them bring 500 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, they will face the trial. So, that Nigerians will hear, Rivers people will see how this State was looted
“Anybody can be governor but not those we have identified that have looted the State treasure. If we can do 12 flyovers from 2019 to now with the little amount of money we are getting, imagine what the previous administration would have done.
“The previous administration that had a lot of money if they had done them, we would have concentrated on other things. But we are still working within the city to change its landscape.”
Governor Wike noted that his approach to politics and government is distinctly apart from that of other politicians who take the populace for granted and rarely keep their promises.
As he gets ready to leave office on May 29, 2023, he insisted that his government will continue to prioritize the welfare of the people of Rivers and the State. For this reason, more projects are still being awarded.
“So, we are very proud that this administration has kept all the promises made to the people. So, it gives us joy. Some people would have said why not go with the money.
“But I asked, how much money can you make? What can you amass as against the interest of the people. So, for us, we are very happy and anybody who is working with this administration can carry his shoulder high that we have made a difference as far as governance is concerned.”
Governor Wike continued by saying that payment for some of the current projects has almost been finished and that the inauguration of further projects is anticipated.
“We have finished paying for the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road. We have finished paying for the dualisation of Bori to Kono Road. We have finished paying for the Ada George- Rumuepirikom flyover. We have almost finished paying for the first phase of Ahoada Road.”
Because 80% of the contract price had already been released to the business with the monthly N2 billion irrevocable standing order of payment, Governor Wike warned Julius Berger Nigeria PLC that any justifications from them would not be accepted.
The governor also expressed his gratitude to state officials for their unwavering support in helping his administration run smoothly.
In his speech, Dr. Lars Richter, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, stated that the company’s contract with the Rivers State Government calls for the construction of two new flyover bridges, which will be finished in 10 months, and the dualization of Azikiwe Street and Loabuchi Road, which will be finished in 6 months.
“You set on your own record of 10 flyovers, but now you beat your own record to make it 12 flyovers. I think that this is big challenge but you will surmount. We have completed and commissioned 6 flyovers 3 more are near completion stage, one ongoing, which shows the confidence that the State government has in Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.”
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has stated that the people of Rivers are determined to prevent anyone from leading them as governor if they have robbed the state’s assets.
Governor Wike emphasized that the determination is based on the desire to protect the State from those who are just interested in robbing the citizens of Rivers State of their property.
The statement was made by Governor Wike on Thursday shortly after the State government and Julius Berger Nigeria PLC signed a contract at Government House in Port Harcourt for the construction of the eleventh (11th) and twelfth (12th) flyover bridges as well as the dualization of Azikiwe Street-Illoabuchi Road.
On behalf of the state government, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, Dr. Dakorinama George-Kelly, Commissioner for Works, and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Ebere Dennis-Emenike, signed. On behalf of the construction company, Dr. Lars Richter, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, and Juergen Fischer, Regional Manager of Julius Berger signed.
According to the governor of Rivers State, these thieves are scrambling to hide their criminal activity, and the people of Rivers will not allow those who do not have the state’s best interests at heart to run its business.
“This State must be guarded. We cannot allow people who don’t have the interest of this State to take over the affairs of this State. People who have looted the treasury of the State clearly.”
Governor Wike argued that true state lovers, not looters, should run for governor and identify themselves as such.
The governor named Chibuike Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and minister of transportation, as well as Tonye Cole, a candidate for governor of Rivers in the All Progressives Congress (APC), as those who had been clearly identified as having pillaged the state.
“They can run helter-skelter to stop their arraignment, but they must be arraigned and tried. What Rivers people will hear, Rivers people will be shocked to know what the former governor of the State and Minister did in this state with his partner, Tonye Cole.
“If they (Ameachi and Cole) like, let them bring 500 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, they will face the trial. So, that Nigerians will hear, Rivers people will see how this State was looted
“Anybody can be governor but not those we have identified that have looted the State treasure. If we can do 12 flyovers from 2019 to now with the little amount of money we are getting, imagine what the previous administration would have done.
“The previous administration that had a lot of money if they had done them, we would have concentrated on other things. But we are still working within the city to change its landscape.”
Governor Wike noted that his approach to politics and government is distinctly apart from that of other politicians who take the populace for granted and rarely keep their promises.
As he gets ready to leave office on May 29, 2023, he insisted that his government will continue to prioritize the welfare of the people of Rivers and the State. For this reason, more projects are still being awarded.
“So, we are very proud that this administration has kept all the promises made to the people. So, it gives us joy. Some people would have said why not go with the money.
“But I asked, how much money can you make? What can you amass as against the interest of the people. So, for us, we are very happy and anybody who is working with this administration can carry his shoulder high that we have made a difference as far as governance is concerned.”
Governor Wike continued by saying that payment for some of the current projects has almost been finished and that the inauguration of further projects is anticipated.
“We have finished paying for the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road. We have finished paying for the dualisation of Bori to Kono Road. We have finished paying for the Ada George- Rumuepirikom flyover. We have almost finished paying for the first phase of Ahoada Road.”
Because 80% of the contract price had already been released to the business with the monthly N2 billion irrevocable standing order of payment, Governor Wike warned Julius Berger Nigeria PLC that any justifications from them would not be accepted.
The governor also expressed his gratitude to state officials for their unwavering support in helping his administration run smoothly.
In his speech, Dr. Lars Richter, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, stated that the company’s contract with the Rivers State Government calls for the construction of two new flyover bridges, which will be finished in 10 months, and the dualization of Azikiwe Street and Loabuchi Road, which will be finished in 6 months.
“You set on your own record of 10 flyovers, but now you beat your own record to make it 12 flyovers. I think that this is big challenge but you will surmount. We have completed and commissioned 6 flyovers 3 more are near completion stage, one ongoing, which shows the confidence that the State government has in Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.”
