The Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has charged local government chairmen in the state to emulate the exemplary leadership quality of Prince Timothy Nsirim, the Obio/Akpor local government chairman.
Governor Amaechi gave the charge during the commissioning ceremony of Obio/Akpor International Market and other projects executed by the OBALGA chairman at Rukpoku town in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State, last weekend.
The Chief Executive Officer of the state who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, noted that the multi-billion naira Obio/Akpor International market was a reflection of prudent management of resources by the Nsirim-led administration which would go a long way in creating job opportunities and revenue for the council and enjoined other LGA chairmen to follow suit.
According to him, “For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a local government council would be boasting of a laudable project worth over two billion naira, describing the OBALGA chairman and his councillors as stars.
The governor who lauded Obio/Akpor people for electing the best chairman who has the interest of the people at heart, commended Timothy Nsirim for his developmental drive, stressing that the state government is willing to partner with the council in the area of infrastructural development.
In her speech, Dame Judith Amaechi, the wife of the state governor, commended Prince Timothy Nsirim for building the gigantic project especially the building of Crèche/Nursery school, stressing that the market would create alternative sources of livelihood for the women in the area.
Dame Amaechi who noted that investment on education is another way of creating wealth, stressed that the building of Crèche/Nursery school is a step towards building a better future for the society, emphasizing that the market project is a project that would stand the test of time and worthy of emulation.
Also in his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Barr. Frank Owhor, a federal commissioner in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission who was represented by Senator John Mbata, the former senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, lauded the council chairman for his developmental initiative and result-oriented plans, describing the market as a milestone and laudable project.
Barr. Owhor who noted that the Obio/Akpor people are proud of the chairman for his people-oriented projects, commended him for the gesture.
In his speech, Prince Timothy Nsirim noted that the scenario was the yearning of Nigerians which is uncommon in the world, stressing that the project was borne out of the desire to address the unemployment situation in the local government, boost commerce and industry and in conformity with the urban renewal policy of the governor Amaechi-led administration. He called on investors to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the council.
Prince Nsirim hinted that the sum of N2,026bn which was spent for the first phase of the market was sourced through “the federal allocations and internally generated revenue”. He revealed that the market has 400 open market stalls, 400 lock up stores, Crèche Nursery School, 1000 motor carriage park, a standard police station, ‘Belle Kingdom’ (restaurant) and other basic facilities that would aid the smooth operations of the market.
According to him, there was no loan or financial assistance from any institution or organization within or outside the country from the inception of the market and that all contracts were based on the results from the tenders committee of the LGA.
Prince Nsirim commended the political leader of the council, Chief Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, for his counseling, advice, courage and support. He commended governor Amaechi for his people-oriented projects sited in the LGA and appealed for his assistance for the building of the phase two of the market.
The highlight of the ceremony was the foundation laying ceremony of phase 2 of the International market, commissioning of the phase 1 of the market, the ‘Belle Kingdom’ (restaurant), Fire Service, Special Anti Robbery Squad, Police Quarter, Health Centre, Motor Park, among others.
Personalities who graced the occasion include, Senator Magnus Abe, Dame Judith Amaechi, Chief G.U Ake, the Apiti of Rumueme Omunakwe Nsirim (OCC), Nyeche Ali Rumueme, Engineer Tele Ikuru, senator Azuta Mbata, among others. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
