…says projects will ensure APC victory
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared that his administration’s performance in executing legacy projects will give the All Progressives Congress (APC) a decisive advantage in the upcoming general elections as the ruling party’s candidates will rely on its track record during campaigns.
Governor Fubara made the statement on Wednesday while commissioning the 14.5 kilometer Agba-Ndele road and 200 meter long bridge, a strategic infrastructure linking communities in Emohua and Abua/Odual local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the event, the governor stated that the project, along with several others recently commissioned, would serve as a powerful campaign tool for the APC, allowing the party’s candidates to seamlessly connect with grassroots voters.
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“I believe that what we have done here today will make it easier for our candidate to represent us in the next election. When he comes here to campaign, especially in Emohua, he will tell you: “My party did this and my party did that. “Therefore, it will be easy for us to win the elections here,” he said.
Fubara described the road and bridge as part of his administration’s commitment to bringing development to rural areas and ensuring governance produces visible benefits. He explained that the State’s intervention became necessary due to the deplorable state of the old Abua highway, which caused serious delays for travelers.
He said: “As I always say, I am not interested in doing just anything; I am interested in doing something that can add value and change the lives of our people. I can beat my chest this afternoon to say that the value of this project cannot be overrated. It is something that has come at the right time, when our people in Abua, our people on the other side of Ahaoda, are having difficulties on the old Abua road. So, with this project, I think some of the problems they are having there will be solved.”
The governor revealed that the bridge project was not initiated by his administration or that of his immediate predecessor, but by a previous government. He maintained that he was driven to complete it because he believed that governance is a relay race in which successive administrations must build on existing structures.
“When you see something that will benefit the people, it doesn’t matter who started it. The important thing is to complete it and put it to use. Therefore, I want to thank everyone who has supported us in this project, most especially the people of Ndele who gave their full commitment to the contractor. Without their support, this project would not have been completed and we will not be here today,” Fubara added.
The governor accused the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, and his Abua/Odual counterpart, Hon. Owolabi Michael Ofori, to take direct responsibility for safeguarding public infrastructure within his domains.
He further called on residents, youth groups and traditional rulers of Agba-Ndele and adjacent communities to take ownership of the facilities and protect themselves against vandalism, warning that destruction of public property sets communities back and wastes public resources.
Providing technical details earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, stated that the project comprises a 14.5 kilometer road with an intermediate course width of 10.3 metres, a wearing course width of 7.3 metres, shoulders of three meters and a drainage section of 0.6m by 0.6m.
He added that the bridge has an extension of 239.4 meters with a width of 10.3 meters, including 1.5-meter walkways on both sides and a 1.2-kilometer access road.
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