Governor Nysome Wike’s penchant for springing up developmental projects in all nooks and crannies of Rivers State has won him an appellation, Mr. Project among his colleagues and in the state treasure base of the nation.Since the inception of his administration, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has ensured he executed projects across the 23 local government areas of the state. In the history of the State, Governor Wike has proven to be exceptionally committed to ensuring that development is spread throughout the length and breath of the State. Unlike his predecessors, Wike has ensured an even distribution of developmental projects across the 23 local governments in the state.While he is selflessly committed to making Rivers State investors’ destination of choice and of course, he is also a prudent manager of the State’s resources.These are realities that can be proven with empirical evidence, void of abstractness or sooth-sayings. They are consistent projects that have left many jaws awed on the sight of these gigantic projects being executed by Wike, despite the paucity of funds ravaging the country. At the end of the year 2019, during a visit to Rivers state, I embarked on a projects tour in some LGAs apart from Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, to see some new projects in the rural areas. One apparent fact is his administration’s decision to execute aggressive projects in the rural areas has not been matched throughout Nigeria. One of such is the N14bn Unity Road expected to create a link road for the first time to Opobo and Andoni; the Kalabari Ring Road; the Sapkenwa-Bori dualised highway, among others. Considering the huge investment his administration is placing on the Rivers Cassava Plant complex which may become the biggest cassava processing project in Nigeria, the project may galvanise the food chain in the Nation and help boost export of agricultural products.During a visit to Eleme Local Government Area in Rivers South East Senatorial District, in the said year, we saw the Remodelling of Government Secondary School, Onne. The well-furnished school has classroom blocks; an ICT centre with over 100 computers; library; Biology, Physics and Chemistry labs; corps members lodge; dormitory; auditorium and perimeter fencing.The recent commissioning of 10.3km Sime-Nonwa-Kira road in Tai Council Area, shuts peddlers of falsehood who claim that there were no development projects in Ogoni land up.Governor Wike is not only focusing on Port Harcourt, the State capital, he is spreading the dividends across all LGAs. He is gradually shifting focus from urban development to development of the rural areas in Rivers state. Wike’s aim, perhaps, is to spike the grassroots economic development of the oil-rich state. He has constructed a dual carriageway Akpajo Road linking East West Road and reconstructed the State School 1 in Alesa.The Sakpenwa-Bori Road, the Abonnema Ring Road, Abalama Reclamation Project and the Cassava Processing Plant Complex, are projects that have been on the lips of many.A visit to Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, the stretch of Andoni-Opobo Unity Road, would leave one imagining the amount of money that was sunk there by Wike’s administration. Opobo people, who suffered from the deplorable roads now drive home in their vehicles, without any fear of dilapidated roads or cars getting damaged. His administration has ensured that it doesn’t only spring up new projects, it also reconstructs already abandoned projects. Comprehensive Secondary School, Alesa which was a shadow of itself now wears a new look. While the people of Alesa-Agbonchia are grateful till today for the complete construction of the road leading to their community.Comprehensive Secondary School, Eteo has gotten a facelift with 35 classrooms; library, science labs; assembly hall; and corps members lodge. The Governor Wike led administration also holds dear the health of its people. It is doing everything within its power to spread the renovation and equipping of all General Hospitals, such as the one situated in Eleme to the length and breadth of the State.Governor Wike apparently has a passion to develop Rivers State, and has put God first in his administration. With these, it is safe to say that those in the rural area have not been left out in the scheme of things by Governor Wike’s administration in Rivers State.The quality of roads and the community where they are sited, traversing all these communities leaves one elated to be a Nigerian.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the Editorial Board of TheScript Newspapers
