The Chairman of Rivers State Elders’ Council, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, has revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike has spent over N40billion in Kalabari Land project-wise since he assumed office in 2015.
Anabraba disclosed this at the civic reception held for Wike, last Saturday, at Abalama Community in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the developmental projects the governor executed in Kalabari were worth over N40billion.
Anabraba, in his speech, told Wike: “We have come to say thank you to you because you’ve done for us what no other governor has done for us in Kalabari Land. During the campaigns, you went round the three Kalabari local governments and made promises. Today, all the promises have been fulfilled.
“Your Excellency, recently, we decided to take stock and carry out a forensic audit of all the developmental projects we have received, and our audit revealed that you have invested over N40billion in Kalabari area since your administration.
“This is unprecedented. This represents the highest investment in Kalabari area by any administration since the creation of Rivers State. Your Excellency, we cannot thank you enough.”
It was gathered that some of the projects done by Wike in Kalabari include the Trans-Kalabari Road; reconstruction of Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema; sandfilling and land reclamation in Kula Community, Akuku Toru LGA; Abonnema General Hospital; Abonnema-Obonoma Ring Road, Phase II; expansion of Kalabari National College, Buguma, Asari Toru LGA; reconstruction of State School 1&2, Obonoma; construction of Abonnema Fire Service Station; sandfilling and land reclamation in Abonnema; reconstruction of State School, Ilelema, ASALGA; sandfilling and land reclamation in Abalama; reconstruction of 8-classroom block at UPE Model Primary School, Buguma; construction of Degema Zonal Hospital; construction of Bille Primary Health Care Centre; reconstruction of Kalabari Girls High School, Buguma; sandfilling and land reclamation in Bakana Community; construction of Bille Waterfront/Jetty; etc.
Alabraba particularly thanked Wike for granting their request to construct the all-important Trans-Kalabari Road, and for appointing some of their sons and daughters into positions in his administration.
“Your Excellency, recall that in December, 2019, Kalabari people, led by our traditional rulers, visited you in Government House to felicitate with you on your re-election as governor of Rivers State. One key request we made during that visit was the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road. This laudable project, conceived 17 years ago, has been so politicised by successive administrations that it remained a dream for our people all these years. You graciously granted our request.
“Today, the dream of the Kalabari people has turned into a reality as the construction of the phase one segment of the Trans-Kalabari Road is currently ongoing, and we know that like all projects initiated by your administration, it will be completed and commissioned before the end of your tenure. Your Excellency, we thank you.
“Coming to appointments, Your Excellency, we cannot fail to thank you for the choice of our proud daughter, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, as the deputy governor of Rivers State for the two terms of your administration; the appointment of our son, Dr Tammy Danagogo, as secretary to the state government, and of course, the appointment of many other Kalabari sons and daughters into positions of trust in government.”
Alabraba further thanked Wike for naming some landmark monuments after illustrious sons of Kalabari Land.
“Your Excellency, your love for the Kalabari people was again demonstrated recently when you named the Port Harcourt Campus of Nigerian Law School after an illustrious Kalabari son, Dr Nabo Graham-Douglas, SAN.
“We cannot forget that you have earlier named the Rivers State Cultural Centre after Rex Lawson. Thank you very much,” he said.
In his response shortly after his conferment with the traditional title of Seibi Dokubo of Kalabari Land (which means he who does good things for Kalabari), Governor NyesomWike thanked the Kalabaris for honouring him.
He promised to award contract for the construction of the second phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road if he gets certain funds he is expecting.
