Tony John, Port Harcourt
Thousands of residents of Port Harcourt township, yesterday, witnessed the commissioning of two major roads in the area, by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
The roads commissioned were Dame Patience Jonathan Road (former Creek Road) and Bishop Johnson Street.
Wike announced the change of name of the reconstructed road from Creek Road to Dame Patience Jonathan Road.
He said: “Our mother, Dame Patience Jonathan, is a woman who has supported us. We recognise her because of her contributions to the development of the state. It is on this note that I rename this road, Dame Patience Jonathan Road.”
The governor said the reconstruction of the road was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to the people of Port Harcourt township.
“When we were campaigning, we assured to deliver this important road. All of us knew how the road was before the reconstruction. Borokiri and township roads were in deplorable conditions before we came on board.
“It was as if Borokiri and township were no longer part of Port Harcourt. To the glory of God, this road has come back to life,” he said.
He charged the residents of the area and traders to cooperate with the state government, to ensure the maintenance of the road.
He warned against trading on the street and using it as mechanic workshops as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Commissioning Dame Patience Jonathan Road, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, commended Wike for the transformation of the state.
He described the former Creek Road as a critical to the economy of Port Harcourt, as it links neighbouring communities for business transactions.
“For 38 years, this road was left to rot. Previous administrations neglected the road. The road was completely destroyed. The governor has done this major project not only for Port Harcourt, but, for the riverine communities,” he said.
Secondus said the propaganda of All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed and noted that the people would vote out the APC in 2019.
At the commissioning of the two roads, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Orukwem Oparaeli, said the people of the area appreciated Wike for his outstanding developmental strides.
Commissioner for Works, Dumnamene Dekor, said the road projects were constructed in line with approved specifications for the benefit of the people.
The celebration reached its climax when Wike, the PDP National Chairman, former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and Senator Lee Maeba, joined by residents, trekked from Dame Patience Jonathan Road to Bishop Johnson Street for the second commissioning.
Along the five kilometre road, residents lined the route singing the praise of Wike. The governor stopped on two occasions to chat with students of two different schools, who were on the road to appreciate his good works.
Commissioning the Bishop Johnson Street, Wike said his administration will continue to make the people happy, through the sustained delivery of projects.
He thanked the people for giving him their mandate for service and said it was time for him to repay them.
The governor said the entire township roads would be revived as the administration has directed Julius Berger Plc to reconstruct more roads in the area.
He accused the Federal Government of spending valuable time on trading blame, rather than delivering development.
Wike further said Rivers resources would be used strictly for the development of the state.
Meanwhile, hundreds of APC members reportedly defected to PDP in the area in appreciation of the reconstruction of the two roads by the governor.