The Amanyanabo and Paramount Ruler of Abonnema, HM King (Barr) Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel (ii), Owukori IX, has lauded the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike over the newly commissioned Abonnema Ring Road. Addressing newsmen at the weekend in Abonnema, the Monarch noted that the road was very essential because it would serve as an alternative route in and out of the densely populated island. He said Abonnema is cosmopolitan and home to all Nigerians and people who come in and out of the town for one business or the other, sometimes get stuck in traffic gridlock due to the narrowness of the only entry and exit road, but with the construction of the Ring Road project with a connecting bridge, that narrative would be a thing of the past.
He added that the project would serve both Abonnema and Obonoma communities, which share common boundaries. The Amanyanabo expressed joy with the directive of the governor to immediately begin sandfilling and reclamation of the area, saying that move would not only expand the community landmass, but would also create opportunities for further development projects. He stated that the governor has distinguished himself amongst his peers as a man who came prepared for the job, as seen in his massive infrastructural development, which had continued to receive wide commendations from far and near.
The First-class traditional ruler commended the governor for the ongoing inauguration of projects across the state, describing them as dividends of focused and visionary leadership. He dismissed claims by critics that the governor was only concentrating projects in Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor LGAs, wondering if Abonnema was part of the two LGAs as claimed. The Monarch urged Rivers people to continue to support the administration of Governor Wike, noting that it was biblical for citizens to support and pray for their leaders. Governor Wike earlier said it was not the length of the ring road that mattered, but its importance to the people. He stated that the ring road would now serve as an alternative route in and out of Abonnema and Obonoma towns.
He announced that the adjoining mangrove will be dredged to provide land to the people of Abonnema and Obonoma that they can use for future development. “Having done this, the next thing for us to do is sand-filling so that they can have land to build on. I know how important land is to them. “I therefore direct the Special Adviser on Special Projects to meet with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to make sure we award a contract of sand-filling of Abonnema-Obonoma areas.” It would be recalled that on Thursday, January 7, 2021, Governor Nyesom Wike led top government functionaries to Abonnema, the administrative headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA for the commissioning of the Abonnema Ring Road. The project which was executed by an indigenous construction firm, O.K.I & Sons Nigeria Limited, was commissioned by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ikweremadu, at a colourful ceremony.
