By Olusegun Olanrewaju and Seyi Odewale
President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday lauded Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the ‘structural support’ he gave that pave his path to Aso Rock.
Speaking while inaugurating the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover in Port Harcourt, the state capital, as part of events marking a two-day visit, Tinubu noted that his presence to perform the duties of opening the flyover for public use is another way of building bridges that are ‘most essential’ for the country.
With words of high praise, the president-elect described the Rivers State helmsman as a dependable ally, one who promoted the unity of Nigeria and championed fairness and justice.
*I couldn’t have done it without some structural support
Without succumbing to gossip and speculations, Tinubu noted that Governor Wike stood his ground as a principled man who worked for the presidency to come to the southern part of Nigeria, in a landmark fashion.
“In His Excellency (Nyesom Wike), I see a man of principle. He took a principled stand that the presidency must return to the South, and he dared to stand by his conviction, not minding whose horse is gored.
“He is indeed a man of great integrity, he did not choose to serve his interest. Not about him, but rather, the interest of the nation. You promoted unity, you promoted fairness, you championed justice. Thank you,” Tinubu said to his host, Wike.
The incoming president also commended what he called the audacity demonstrated by the governor in delivering quality projects to Rivers people to make them happy, as well as create excitement for them, and enhanced development across the state.
Tinubu, however, said the demand for a refund on the flyover bridges so constructed on federal roads, though a worthy request, should not be borne with the mind-set that he is owing the state “because the projects are within Rivers, and are used by the people”.
He nonetheless said there would be a need for the Rivers State helmsman to further discuss issues with him and intensify his lobby to secure the refund.
The president-elect recalled that he went through a gruesome campaign, fought hard, and with the likes of Governor Wike providing structural support, he won the presidential election squarely.
“Nyesom, I say thank you for your contribution to my victory. I couldn’t have done it without some structural support,” he noted.
Tinubu, a former two-time governor of Lagos State, also commended the Rivers State governor-elect, Siminalayi Fubara, for his electoral victory.
In his description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo, said the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover Bridge is 1007.5 metres long, completed in eight months, instead of 10 months, and delivered to eliminate traffic congestion by 98 per cent in the state.
According to him, the flyover is the longest of the flyovers constructed by the Wike’s administration and has district features because, whereas the other eleven flyovers are straight, it has a parabolic curve with a curvature radius of 225 metres.
In his welcome remark, the Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, George Ariolu, said the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover bridge is the 12th among similar projects that were conceived and constructed by Governor Wike.
He noted that, as evidence of the legendary infrastructural achievement of the governor, the 12th flyover has greatly eased vehicular traffic, boosting commerce and improving the aesthetics of the metropolis.
Some of the dignitaries present at the occasion include the wife of the Rivers State governor, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; the governors of Oyo State, Seye Makinde; Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), and David Umahi (Ebonyi).
Other are former governors of Rivers State, Peter Odili; Bisi Akande (Osun), James Ibori (Delta), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Timipre
Sylva (Bayelsa).
*Rivers gov: We acted in national interest
In response to Tinubu’s commendation over the outcome of the presidential election in Rivers State, Wike said, “We didn’t do anti-party. What we did was for the unity of the country.”
Earlier, however, Wike drew the attention of the Federal Government to the need to amend its procurement law to end the incessant abandonment of projects that it handles.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, stated that the current procurement law of the Federal Government only allows for about 15/30 per cent to be paid as mobilisation fee to a contractor.
Such meagre sum, he said, usually does not allow the contractor to make appreciable progress on the project before being caught up by inflation effects and the high cost of materials, which eventually requires a variation of the contract terms.
Wike said when he noticed a similar snag in the procurement law in Rivers State, on the assumption of duties, he interfaced with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, “who worked together with other lawmakers to amend the then existing law”.
He said with the amended law, the governor emphasised that his administration got the latitude to pay upward of 70 per cent mobilisation fee to contractors handling various projects in the state.
The governor noted that such practice has led to the great accomplishment recorded in the delivery of development projects in the state by his administration.
Wike added that Phase two of the Ahoada-Omoku-Egbema road and the Emohua-Tema Junction road projects that are ongoing are at the cost of N80 billion.
The payment pattern, he explained, that is adopted is a monthly deduction of N4bn by the contractor from the Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, which will last 18 months until the projects will be completed.
Commenting on the 12th flyover bridge, Wike explained that it is one among others started in 2019 and delivered by his administration.
The governor stressed that, ordinarily, some of the flyovers are on federal roads and the state should be refunded by the Federal Government.
He, therefore, requested the incoming administration of Tinubu to consider a possible refund to Rivers State.
This, he pointed out, will serve as a motivation to other states, which will feel more encouraged to also work on federal roads in their jurisdiction.