The chairman of Emohua local government area, Dr Chidi Lloyd has expressed gratitude to the Governor of Rivers State, H.E Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for awarding the reconstruction and dualisation of Emohua-Kalabari road, adding that the project will rekindle the age-long relationship between the people of Emohua in Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality and the entire Kalabari kingdom in Ijaw Ethnic Nationality.
He noted that the people of Emohua LGA and the three Kalabari-speaking LGAs of Asari-Toru, Degema and Akuku-Toru had over the years maintained cordial relationships ranging from trading, intermarriage and social commitments which have further promoted peace and unity amongst the people.
Dr Chidi Lloyd made the assertion at the flag-off ceremony for the reconstruction and dualization of the Emohua-Kalabari road from the Emohua axis of the East-West road to the Abalama/ Tema junction by the Rivers State government on Monday.
” Your Excellency I would like to state that what you’ve done here today is to rekindle the age-long relationship between Emohua and Kalabari people, of which I am one of them because my father’s mother is an Ojuka in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA. So this road project means a lot to me.
“Some time ago the road became a problem, I and my brother chairmen from the three Kalabari LGAs put our heads together and cleared the shoulders of the road in order to allow our people free entrance and exit but little did we know that you were watching our activities.
“Not long while we were doing that the honourable commissioner of works drew our attention to the fact that you had approved some remedial work on the road.
“A week or two into the commencement of the remedial work the commissioner summoned us and said that the governor of Rivers State had directed that Julius Berger should reconstruct and dualize the Emohua-Kalabari road and our joy knew no bounds.
“Your Excellency, the relationship between the Ikwerre people and the Kalabari people cannot be overemphasized and this road will further rekindle our relationship.”
The council chairman noted that the people of the area will not reciprocate the governor’s love and care with their permanent voters’ cards in the forthcoming general elections by adhering strictly to the directive on the choice of Rivers State for the presidential election slated for 25th February 2023.
“Your Excellency we are here as four local government areas to state that we are very wary of the provisions of the Bible book of Proverbs 17:13.
“We would reward good for good and in less than no time we shall speak with our votes, we will go wherever you go and we would do exactly what you have told us to do.”
He further prayed for God’s continuous protection of the governor, wishing him a successful transition.
The special guest and governor of Rivers State, H.E Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who performed the groundbreaking ceremony expressed gratitude to God for the enablement to conceive the reconstruction and dualisation of the Emohua-Kalabari road which according to the governor was politicized by the previous administration in the state.
Governor Wike who maintained that his administration had registered its presence across the 23 LGAs in Rivers State with the implementation of infrastructure projects, challenged anyone to mention any LGA in the state where his administration had not executed infrastructure projects.
He informed that the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari road being executed by his administration was almost ready for commissioning, describing the completion of the project as a fulfilment of his campaign promise to the people of the area.
The Governor however noted that the Emohua-Kalabari road is a federal road but was considered by his administration because of his special interest in the development of all parts of Rivers State, stressing that it was very rare to see a governor with less than three months to leave office still interested in the development of his state.
Speaking on the 2023 elections, Governor Nyesom Wike urged electorates in Rivers State to use their voter cards to protect the interest of the state, stating that the state will support a presidential candidate that will give the state a sense of belonging in Nigeria.
The governor stressed that the state will take a decision that will be convenient to the people, emphasizing that critical circumstances require critical decisions which sometimes may not seem right to many but are very convenient for the interest of the people.
The paramount ruler of the Emohua kingdom, His Majesty, Ohna Sergeant Awuse commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his loving kindness to the people of Emohua LGA, describing the governor as a magnanimous leader.
He said the people cannot thank the governor enough but will in appreciation continue to stand by him, describing the Governor’s traducers as selfish and failed politicians.
Ohna Sergeant Awuse on behalf of the people of the Emohua kingdom announced the adoption of Governor Wike as a son of the Emohua kingdom.
He also declared the Governor’s admission into the Emohua council of traditional rulers which he said was the very first time a non-indigenous son of the kingdom was admitted into the highest traditional institution in the area.
Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA, Hon Rowland Sekibo who spoke on behalf of the three Kalabari LGAs who are the major beneficiaries of the road project described Governor Wike as a visionary leader with an incomparable commitment to the development of Rivers State.
The Akulga council Boss while reiterating the people’s preparedness for the forthcoming general election, reassured that the three Kalabari-speaking LGAs will not hesitate to appreciate the governor with their permanent voters’ cards in the general elections.
Giving the project description on behalf of the state government, the honourable commissioner of works, Hon George-Kelly said the reconstruction and dualization of the Emohua-Kalabari road is another milestone by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.
He said the 15-kilometre road which is currently a single carriageway would be reconstructed into a double carriageway with street lights, and an interval drainage system from the Emohua axis of the East-West road to Abalama/Tema junction by Julius Berger PLC within eighteen months.
Governor Nyesom Wike also received royal blessings and gifts from the Kalabari council of traditional rulers and chiefs in appreciation of the governor’s numerous infrastructure projects across the Kalabari kingdom.
Bright Jossy-Elendu,
Chief Press Secretary To The Chairman, Emohua Local Government Area.
20 /2/2023
