‘Nobody will use votes of Rivers people for nothing’ – Wike

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]

Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that come 2023 nobody will use the votes of Rivers people for nothing.

Governor Wike insisted that their votes matter and the people must benefit from whosoever wants their votes.

The governor made the declaration at the inauguration of the Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterlines junction) Flyover project.

The Flyover is the 7th Flyover Project in the state and was commissioned by the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The  governor explained that the dynamics of contemporary politics has made it unpopular to just gift votes away without the assurance of derivable benefit for the people.

“Nobody will use our votes for nothing. Our votes will matter and Rivers State must benefit from anybody that we are going to support.

“Politics now is no longer just vote for somebody; it is about what you will do for the people of Rivers State.”

The governor also disclosed that conspirators will find it difficult to upset the voting pattern of Rivers State and support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor reiterated that those who looted the treasury of the state will not be supported to become governor of Rivers State.

Governor Wike also challenged those who are envious of his development strides to rather show what capacity they have by executing projects and invite renowned persons to inaugurate them.

He explained the invitation of the Lagos State governor is not the first time persons of other political parties were invited to inaugurate projects in Rivers State.

He pointed to the overall benefits such invitations have on governance because it served as peer review for them.

Inaugurating the project, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu  commended Governor Wike for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said though himself and governor Wike belong to different political persuasions, the invitation extended to him sends a very strong message that  politicians and political leaders, can come together across political and ideological divides, for the good of the people.

Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dakorinama George-Kelly on his part  said the project has been completed on schedule with specified quality.

“The project has an overall length of 840 meters and overall cross sectional width of 17.6meters, 7.3 meters on each lane. It has 1 meter walkway on both sides, and 2 meter of media. We have a total of asphaltic pavement area of 29000 square meters.

“This flyover bridge brings to end traffic congestion along the Port Harcourt -Aba Expressway.

“Right from the Bori Park Flyover down to Eastern By-pass, there will be no traffic congestion.

“There will be ease of doing business around Port Harcourt and Rivers people will benefit from it.”

In his speech, Regional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Juergen Fischer, noted that history had been made with the opening for public use the 7th Flyover awarded to them for construction.

He thanked Governor Wike for the trust reposed in Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to handle such huge projects for the State Government.