A former lawmaker at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Jones Ogbonda has declined comments on his plan towards the 2015 political dispensation, insisting that God will direct his steps when the time comes. Ogbonda stated this while responding to questions from journalists on his next line of action politically, shortly after the commissioning of his 3-star hotel in Port Harcourt over the weekend. Hon Ogbonda said his reason for going into tourism was to provide employment for the teeming jobless youths in the state, thereby giving back to the society what he has gained as a public officer. He debunked insinuations that the event was a political gathering, pointing out that in tourism people are needed. On his plan for 2015,Ogbonda said God will direct his steps when the time comes. He thanked Rt. Hon. Austin Opara for all his support towards the execution of the hotel project, describing him as a brother, father and a political mentor. The lawmaker who said he dedicated the edifice to God, also acknowledged the sacrifice made by his family while the job lasted.
In his Speech at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike described the hotel built by the former lawmaker as a big contribution to the economic growth of Nigeria and indeed Rivers State.
Wike stated this Saturday in Port Harcourt while commissioning a-3 star hotel built by Ogbonda, who represented Port Harcourt Constituency 1 in the State Assembly between 2008 and 2011. He promised to support the host in anyway he can and urged the people to always patronize their own things. The Minister charged other politicians to emulate the former legislator by embarking on ventures that would impact positively on the economy of the country for the betterment of all.
In his remarks, the former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Opara reiterated the need for us to support people who ventured into meaningful businesses through patronage. “Business can only grow when all of us contribute to it”, Opara stressed. He prayed that the owner of the hotel, whom he described as his brother prospers and builds more hotels.
Adding his voice, the former Minister of Transport and the Action Congress of Nigeria’s(ACN) governorship candidate at the 2011 general elections in Rivers State, Dr Abiye Sekibo lauded the feat of Hon Ogbonda and recalled the assistance he received from the former Deputy Speaker while he was a minister. Dr Sekibo equally commended Ogbonda for building the hotel, which he said will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of Nigerians. He pledged his support to the project, noting that the hotel will serve the interest of the people.
Barth Ndu
