Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor has hailed the state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and members of the State Executive Council for intervening in the very pathetic and deplorable state of the Oyigbo-Afam road through the award of the contract for the construction of the road project by the State government. Recall that the Oyigbo-Okoloma road was among the projects the State Government awarded on Thursday 21st October, 2021 during the State Executive Council Meeting.
Akawor in a statement in Port Harcourt by his media aide, Paul Deeyah, said the award of the contract for the construction of the road is an indication that the Oyigbo-Afam road has become a dream come true for the people.
“It is a clear indication of the sincererity of purpose of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration in the State to fulfilling all promises made to the people, especially Oyigbo people. The road abandoned by the immediate past government of Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi in spite of the huge allocations it received from the Federal Government and the economic importance of the area to the nation’s economy, had now been awarded and contract for its construction signed. With this the hitherto very deplorable and impassable road which had consequently made road users in the area to be cut off from the rest of the State and the country by extension will wear a new look while the people would once more heap a sigh of relief. The recklessness with which this particular road was left to deteriorate becoming a death trap was too obvious, suggesting that the then government had particular hatred for Oyigbo people”.
Akawor, a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, noted that it takes a man with a good heart for his people, such as Governor Wike to end decades of sufferings, abandonment and neglect meted to the people by previous government through the approval of construction of the hitherto long neglected road, leading to the historic award of contract for its construction. “Governor Nyesom Wike has by his deeds and action demonstrated that he loves the people of Oyigbo. First it was the Mbano camp road, then the Oyigbo-Agbonchia road, followed by the construction of the multimillion naira Cassava Flour Processing plant in Oyigbo, the construction of the GSS Obeagu and now he has listened to the yearnings of our people and approved contract for the construction of the Oyigbo-Afam road. What more can we ask for than to say Thank you, Your Excellency for your show of true love for Oyigbo”.
Ambassador Akawor who reiterated that he never had any doubt that the said road would be undertaken by Governor Nyesom Wike before the end of his tenure, expressed happiness that his faith and belief in the Wike government had paid off with the epoch making event which will ultimately pave the way for actual construction of the road project.
“Sometimes this year at an event organised by a son of Oyigbo, I made a pronouncement that if the Oyigbo-Afam road is not done by this administration which I am a stakeholder I should not be allowed to set my feet again into Oyigbo land. I am happy that I have been vindicated by this development and I can now walk through Oyigbo communities with my shoulders very high”.
The PDP Chairman commended the people of Oyigbo for their peaceful disposition and for refusing to toe the line of violence even when they were expressing their frustration over the deplorable state of the road, contending that their peaceful nature culminated in the Governor’s magnanimous decision to consider the construction of the road.
Ambassador Akawor therefore appealed to the people of Oyigbo to continue to remain peaceful and support the Wike-led administration to enable it continue in delivering democratic dividends to the people of the area and the State at large. The Diplomat and Seasoned Administrator equally commended members of the State Executive Council for the overwhelming approval the road received, describing it as a symbol of good faith and unreserved love the Government has for the people of Oyigbo, advising them to continue to place their trust, confidence and belief in the administration which has benefited them more than any other administration in the State.
