Rivers releases N78 billion to complete projects and award new ones.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

HARCOURT, PORT — The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the release of N78 billion to complete various ongoing projects across sectors and to kick-start new ones.

Governor Nyesom Wike presided over the meeting, which took place yesterday at Government House in Port Harcourt.

Dr Isaac Kamalu, Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, told journalists after the meeting that the approval was made to ensure that ongoing projects are not left unfinished by contractors due to a lack of funds.

“The Rivers State Government has released N78 billion for the payment of ongoing projects and the launch of new projects across the state’s local government areas.”

“Once again, the government has specifically released the sum of N1.8 billion, representing 80% of the capital provisions for the judiciary in the 2022 budget for Rivers State Judiciary services.”

Prof. Princewill Chike, Commissioner for Health, also spoke and stated that the Ministry of Health will benefit from the release of funds.

According to him, the contractor for the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostics and Treatment Centre has been fully paid.

“You may recall that N26 billion was set aside for that contract in June of last year.” It has been completed and is fully equipped with cutting-edge medical equipment for the treatment of various types of cancer.

“The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where we have Basic Clinical Faculty and Clinical Faculty, as well as the Renal and Dialysis Centre and the House Officers Quarters, which have also been completed and will be commissioned, has also benefited the health sector.”

Chike also stated that the state government is funding other ongoing projects, such as the Kelsey Harrison Hospital, which is nearing completion, and the Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital in Port Harcourt, both of which are nearing completion and are furnished.

Deinma Iyalla, Commissioner for Special Projects, stated that the ministry’s memo to the council has been approved, as has the sale of the renovated Riv-Bank Insurance building.

“The building is now known as Senator John Azuta-Mbata House.” Access Bank offered N3.8 billion to purchase the building. It cost N2.8 billion to renovate.

“The essence of the sale of this building is that Access Bank promised to use it as their regional office, which means they will create jobs and have a positive impact on economic activities in Port Harcourt.”

Iyalla also mentioned other projects that would benefit from the released funds, such as the sandfilling and reclamation of 20 hectares of land in Ogu town.

According to him, the fund will also be used to complete the University of Port Harcourt Convocation Arena, the reconstruction and furnishing of Ataba Secondary School, and the construction of Rivers State University Staff Quarters buildings at Ahoada, Etche, Emohua, and the main campuses.

Other projects include the completion of the 13.8 km Rumuodogo 1 and 2 Roads, the Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery Road, the Hostel A and B, and the auditorium at the Nigerian Law School’s Yanagoa campus, the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute, and the Federal Judicial Service Commission liaison office building, South-South in Port Harcourt.

Prof. Chinedu Mmom, the Commissioner for Education, also addressed journalists, stating that projects under his ministry will benefit as well.

In Abua/Odual Local Government, they include the Government Secondary School, Eneka, the Government Secondary School, Emohua, and the Government Secondary School, Imago.

Other projects include the reconstruction and remodeling of the Kalabari High School in Buguma, the Kalabari National College in Buguma, the external works and furnishing of Western Ahoada High School, the Government Secondary School in Ogu, which is 90% complete, and the Community Secondary School in Okoronudo, which is 60% complete.

Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo, Commissioner for Works, stated that the council awarded new contracts and approved payment for ongoing projects.

“The projects are spread across the state’s local government areas and senatorial districts.” Some of which were approved by council today, while others were ratified,” he said.

He stated that the contract for the construction of the 8.168 km Abua-Emoh-Iyak-Ighom; Emoh/Egbolom access road and the 9.2m km Ekagho-Ogboloma-Adada link road in Abua/Odual Local Government Area was approved by the council.

Other new road projects, according to George-Kelly, include the Alode-Onne road, Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebebu-East/West road, Alode internal roads in Eleme council, Eneka roundabout-IgboEtche link road in Obio-Akpor/Etche councils, Akpabu-Egbeda-Elele-Omoku link road, Akpabu-Odidi link road, N

The Commissioners for Works, who reaffirmed the Governor Wike administration’s resolve not to abandon any project it had begun, also revealed that the council had approved payment for the ongoing Ahoada-Omoku dualisation project, the Omoku-Aligwu-Kirigeni road, the Omoku-Egbema road, the Okochiri internal roads, the Ogoni-Andoni Unity road, the Chokocho-Igbodo road, flyover 11 and 12,

7000 Justices of the Peace are appointed

In a separate speech, Chris Finebone, the Commissioner for Information, stated that Governor Wike had approved the appointment of 7,000 Justices of Peace to help ensure the presence of peace, law, and order within their jurisdiction.

“I am pleased to inform you that the appointment of 7,000 Justices of Peace has just been approved by the state governor.” Our people will be eternally grateful to our hardworking governor for his all-around approach to development.”