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By Joel Anekwe
With the flag off of the construction of the Trans-Kalabari road project on Thursday, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, began the move to connect some six Riverine communities in Degema Local Government Area of the state.
The first phase of the road project will see the fulfillment of the age-long dream of the people of Omekwe Tariama-Angulama-Omekweama-Krakrama, Sangama and Minima.
The about 14km road, which is described as a dream come true for the Kalabari people, is expected to have huge economic impact on the communities specifically and the state in general through increased trade and tourism.
The project which is being handled by Lubrik Construction is expected to be completed in 14 months’ time.
In his speech at the flag-off ceremony, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, described the project as unique and historic, adding that it is in fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people.
“We all know the history of the Trans-Kalabari road. Politicians have played politics with it with several failed promises. But to the glory of God, nobody will play politics again with the project”, he declared.
He said that his administration takes great care in executing its several development projects to completion stage without being indebted to any financial institution.
“People are asking where am I getting the money from. People are saying I’m borrowing money. If I borrow money to develop my state is there any offense there? They that borrowed, did they do the road? If I’m borrowing and doing the work, have I not done well?
“But in any case, I am not borrowing money. It is a matter of how you manage the resources of the people.
“So, I’m not owing any bank. I challenge any bank to say Rivers State government is indebted to them. The only money we took for agriculture, which Central Bank gave us, N5 billion, as I speak to you, we have not touched one Naira. The money is still in there,” Wike said.
He said that the government has adopted a payment strategy to ensure that the project is not stopped, adding that it signed an irrevocable standing order where every month the contractor collects N1 billion from the bank.
According to Governor Wike, “No longer will anybody come to hoodwink Kalabari people with the promise of constructing Trans-Kalabari Road in the name of politics, because the phase one of the project will be completed in 2022.
“We have not only awarded the contract, we have awarded it in such a way that they (contractor) have nothing to do with us about funding.
“We have signed an irrevocable standing order where every month the contractor collects from the bank N1 billion. So, as this month is ending, that’ll be the third billion they’ve collected.
“I’ve told you here that we’ve instructed the banks, take N1 billion off from our IGR account every month and give to the contractor to do the project. So, we are not borrowing money from any bank.”
Chairman of Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, who performed the flag-off, said after a meeting with Governor Wike, leaders of Kalabari nationality met at home and decided on the road mapping of the phase one of the Trans-Kalabari Road project.
“We are here with our heads raised high, gathered here for a momentous event. This laudable project was conceived 15 years ago, and it remained a strong desire and aspiration. Luckily you came in and our dreams have come through.
“Although, this is just a flag-off, but with your style of project execution, we can go home believing that it is as good as completed.”
Rivers State commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said the Trans-Kalabari Road Phase 1 is a 13.599km road project, features one bridge and will connect several island communities to the mainland of the state via the existing Buguma/Degema/Abonemma Road.
“It will provide an economically viable alternative to marine transportation and further stimulate other developments in and around the area by easing the movement of goods, services and persons.”
