Commitment and cooperation from communities are panacea to the urban renewal quest of governments at all levels, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has stressed. Wike, said his passion to transform the landscape of the State, gave him the courage to surmount the threats he received from some indigenes, when the decision to construct the Ogbunabali Road was made public.
At the commissioning of the dualized Ogbunabali/Eastern by-pass road, on Tuesday, August 9, Wike said, Today the women are singing that ogbunabali Is fine but they refused to allow me construct the road. They said that they won’t allow me to construct the road because I will disturb their ansectors. I told them to tell their ancestros to come and see me. They said their juju will kill me but I told them that I am waiting for them. I want to thank you that the ansectors didn’t come but if they had come they would’ve seen problem.”
Speaking further Wike observed that membership of a political parties does not guarantee performance but the passion for service influences the level of impact felt by the society. He said ““It is because I have that passion for my people, have the commitment to serve my people. Take me to YPP, allow me become whatever I will become there, I will perform. Take me to any party, I will perform. So, it is not party that makes you to perform. The only regret I have is that I’ve not had the opportunity to tell the bandits that enough is enough. But this one I have, I will use it to serve my people because they deserve the best.
“May God forbid it that I am close to a President or Vice President and I can’t impact on my people. People say they are close to people but can’t attract development to their people. Attracting project for the benefit of your people is the essence of being close to people in government. Not when such closeness don’t benefit the masses but yourself.I don’t want to be close to any President that will not do something for my people . Not close to you to drink and eat but close to you to attract development to my people.”
While comtemporaries use economic hardship as excuse for failing in rendering purposeful leadership and service to their people, Wike said he found same situation a more rewarding leverage for sustained delivery of projects to Rivers people.
Chiding perceived misguided Rivers politicians for twisting his assertion on Monday that the state was fully under his grips, Wike explained that, “Because some people went to school late, they don’t understand when somebody says I am in charge of this State.
“I never said I am in charge of votes in this State, but I know I can talk to my people and my people will listen to me. Some people say, I have only one vote, I agree. I can’t vote two times. I will only vote once. But because of the services I have rendered to the people of this State, the State will listen to me.”
The governor on the occasion lifted the ban on youths activities in Ogbunuabali and released N2 billion he promised the community, which he noted will be shared amongst the women and men. He commended them for their cooperation while the road project lasted, after initially objecting to it.
Special guest and former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko who inaugurated the road project acknowledged the leadership capacity of Wike in service delivery to Rivers people.
