The Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described Port Harcourt City as a world class city which hold the keys to Nigeria’s future, ranging from economic, political and cultural sphere.
Gov. Amaechi made the remark while unveiling the anniversary activities to mark the centenary celebration of Port Harcourt at the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic centre in Port Harcourt.
Gov. Amaechi maintained that Port Harcourt remain the treasure base of the nation economy pointing out that without its contribution the GDP of the country’s economy would be threatened.
According to him by all standard, Port Harcourt has grown to a cosmopolitan state with world class infrastructure and has a population of 1.9 million people adding that the garden city has the best primary health centre, about 120 of them and three secondary health centres on public, private partnership with America. It also has two tertiaries health centres, the new secondary schools are equivalent to Universities, it is a secondary school that anyone can see and appreciate, adding that the city has World class roads and over head bridges among others.
The chief executive officer of the state who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru recalled the economic contributions Port Harcourt has made since its existence in 1913, observing that, apart from hosting the first port after Lagos State for the export of palm oil, cold and tin, the city today hosts the biggest oil companies in the West African region stressing that any day there is hike in price of domestic product the price of oil is also sharply affected.
The Governor who noted that Port Harcourt is set to open another city call greater Port Harcourt City which will be the best in West African region that would enjoy 24 hours of electricity, pointed out that Rivers State has produced leaders who manage their resources judiciously.
In his speech the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii the chairman of the centenary committee said the reason for the celebration was to commensurate the city of Port Harcourt which was born hundred years ago pointing out that there is need to celebrate as most of us were not born then, according to him, “hundred years ago after the birth of the city of Port Harcourt, the city has developed into a world class”.
Mr. Feyii however enjoined everyone to identify with whatever that is inline of the celebration because it will take long years before “We celebrate another 200 years”.
Other activities for the celebration include football competition, thanksgiving service, opening of exhibition/Museum, symposium, cultural display by the 23 ethnic group in Rivers State among others. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
