Rivers state government has signed the contracts for the Trans-Kalabari road project phase one and the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono road project phase two.
Governor Wike said that the signing of the contracts is to demonstrate the importance his administration places on opening up more rural communities for development.
He disclosed that a secured payment plan of N1 billion monthly will be paid into the accounts of the construction companies, the deadlines for the two projects will not be compromised.
The governor said,
"So many people have said that all these things are political statements. That is why we want to let you know that they are not political statements. We are serious about it. If there is one road that must be completed within time, it is that Trans-Kalabari Road. It is very key to us, to link up so many communities within the Kalabari area.
"So, we have tied our funds to these roads, by every month; you don't need to come to us, or write to us to say you've done 50 metres, 100metres or 1kilometres, no. The money is paid to you directly every month by the banks. N1billion each. For the Trans-Kalabari road, which is about N13 billion. We believed that you have no excuse not to finish the road in 14 months."
In regards to the communities, he urged them to owe the projects by ensuring that they cooperate with contractors and avoid bothering them with unnecessary demands that can create crisis to stop the projects. Also, companies are to engage indigenes of the areas in direct, and contract employments including opportunity to supply materials used on the site.
He said,
"Move in and make sure that you deliver. I am going to commission those roads next year. Any project we have awarded must be completed before we leave office. I hear people are criticising us that we are doing roads everywhere. How do you develop a community without roads? The key thing to development is road infrastructure.
"How do you promote agriculture when you cannot evacuate whatever you have produced from the farm. How do you talk about human capital development when students cannot have roads to go to school. Even to access healthcare service you need road to go to the health facility. No investor can come to a place when there are no roads.
"Let me tell those from Kalabari, I will not take any sabotage. If anybody tries to sabotage the work, then your people will suffer because I'll cancel the contract. Even the companies, they shouldn't cause crisis to sabotage the work. I will not hesitate to take drastic action."
As regards the sacked Commissioner for Environment, Governor Wike explained that Dr. Igbiks Tamuno was sacked because he engaged in acts that amount to sabotage.
According to him, "I don't know how a commissioner can write to a company to stop work without my approval. And Julius Berger in that matter, to stop construction in the entire State, I have never heard of such thing before. I didn't know that commissioners have so much power like that.
"I'm saying it because some of you don't even know the limits of your power. These are contractors working for the state government. He (Tamuno) never interfaced with the Ministry of Works. We have paid Julius Berger and you ask them to stop work, so that they will come and ask for variation later?"
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