By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Reactions have trailed Governor Nyesom Wike’s decision to begin construction of a ninth flyover at Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpo Local Government Area of the state capital.
Wike, while approving a contract for construction of Sir Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at N25.9bn, also approved the ninth flyover project at N6.6bn.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said the centre, expected to be completed within 14 months, would be sited at Rumuokuta in Obio-Akpor.
The statement also quoted Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, as saying that apart from the flyover project, the government approved the dualization of the first phase of the Ahoada- Omoku Road as well as internal roads in Omerelu.
Tasie-Amadi explained the construction of the ninth flyover was necessitated by increasing vehicular activities and traffic jams at some entry points in Port Harcourt.
He said the flyover would be completed in 12 months and funded by the deduction of N400million monthly from state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Tasie-Amadi said contract for the dualisation of the first phase of Ahoada Omoku Road had been awarded to Julius Berger.
He said the project would be 15.2 metre wide, with drains and streetlights and would cost N9.5bn.
But the Commissioner explained the construction of Omerelu internal roads had been awarded to Monier Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited at 4.4bn.
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Reacting to this, the All Progressives Party (APC) particularly faulted the ninth flyover project and its location saying the Governor was embarking on lopsided development policy.
The party, in a statement by its spokesperson, Ogbonna Nwuke, said “What justifies the need to build the 9th overhead bridge in Rumuprikom at this time? Can the Rivers State Government say that these overland bridges are in any way helping to place food on the table of Rivers people?
“If we may ask, what is behind the hasty payments made to Julius Berger? Could there be other reasons for the brigde – mania – policy of the government?
“The Rivers State government cannot continue to act as if the interests of other component parts which make up the state do not really matter. Their interests matter.
“Let it be known to this government, which is busy serving the interest of a select group that the great majority of people who are being neglected are Rivers people.
“These people, who do not, or have not had the opportunity of producing state governors are no slaves. They are also not conquered people.
“They are hardworking Rivers people, who deserve to benefit from properly articulated programmes of State, which ought to enhance the development strides of their ethnic nations as well as the growth of their communities.”
A resident of Port Harcourt who spoke to NatureNews, also stated that the construction is not necessary as the axis doesn’t experience traffic that much.
The resident urged the governor to take some of these road projects to the rural areas where they urgently need interventions such as the construction of bridges, health centres and other basic amenities.
