Acting President Yemi Osinbajo (m) , Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (l) and Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo during the Commissioning of Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and Chokocho -Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter- Change on Thursday by the Acting President.
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has decried what he described as ‘politics of under-development’ being promoted by some politicians from the state, saying that he will remain committed to developing the state despite plots to distract him.
Speaking while commissioning the Rukpokwu -Aluu Road and Rumuokoro Market and Park in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Thursday, Governor Wike said Rivers people must take note of those who are bent on frustrating development in the state.
The two projects were billed to be commissioned by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. The Acting President had earlier commissioned two roads before leaving for Abuja.
Governor Wike said: “They are annoyed that our projects are being commissioned. Their anger will not stop us from delivering projects for our people.
“We wrote to the Acting President to visit Rivers State to commission a number of projects on the 19th July, 2017. We got a response that due to his crowded schedule that day was not feasible. They gave us 27th July. The advance team came in yesterday and said there is also the commissioning of Indorama.
“I heard on the radio that the other party wrote the Acting President saying that the commissioning of projects make us shine. They have forgotten that we shine because God is with us and the numerous projects that we execute for our people “.
At the Rukpokwu-Aluu road, the governor told the people that during the campaign he made two promises to them which he has fulfilled.
The governor urged the Market Women trading along the Rumuokoro road to stop as they are expected to begin using the market.
Governor Wike also asked the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers to desist from picking passengers on the road and start using the park in the market.
He said: “Now that we have opened the market, nobody should trade on the roadside. Nobody should pick passengers on the road. Henceforth we will take action against those who flout this order. ”
But the Acting President had earlier advised the two political ‘gladiators’, Wike and Amaechi to pursue issues that would bring development to the people rather than fighting on partisan lines.
He spoke while commissioning the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and Chokocho -Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi inter- change in Etche Local Government Area.
Osinbajo who lauded the Governor Wike for embarking on pro-people projects charged Rivers political leaders to de-emphasise partisan concerns and work in the interest of their people.
He said: “We must always look for ways to advance the interest of our people. We are greater together than apart. Today is a very happy day. We will always have happy days.
“Here with us to commission the project of the Rivers State Government is Senator Magnus Abe, who is from another party. The Federal Government supports every effort that benefits the people,” said the Acting President.
Earlier, a drama had played out at the Port Harcourt International Airport on whether the Acting President should ride in a gleaming BMW car provided by Governor Wike to take him to the site of commissioning of the Indorama’s fertilizer plant or a chopper where Amaechi and other APC chieftains were already seated. You can read about the drama here.