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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, reiterated that his desire for the state is not just about embarking on projects, but in doing those things that would touch the lives of the people positively.
Fubara disclosed this at the unveiling of the reconstructed Buguma-Degema-Abonnema road, a major transport corridor linking communities across the Asari-Toru, Degema, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas of the state on Monday.
He expressed appreciation to the people for their love and cooperation, especially for allowing the contractors to do their jobs without hitches.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to complete the Trans-Kalabari highway, another major road project linking several coastal communities in the state.
The project, a 19.79 kilometre road was executed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, brings to an end the nightmares of man- hour loss and insecurity associated with the route.
The long stretch of the road was in a very deplorable condition before the Fubara administration awarded the contract for its rehabilitation in September, 2024.
Governor Fubara disclosed that the completion of the project with record time was the fulfillment of a personal commitment made after witnessing the severe degradation of the road during a previous visit to the area.
He said: “It is a road that you must pass if you’re going to Abonnema. It is a road that because of its state, a lot of evil activities was taking place there. But, to the glory of God today, I don’t think those negative acts can even be imagined or be carried out along that corridor again.
“I made a promise to myself that day that even if it is remaining one week, we must make sure that we fix this road. Today, to the glory of God, the road has been fixed. I am happy that today, we are all here gathered happily that this particular dream has come to reality,” Fubara stated.
The governor expressed further: “You have shown me so much love. Nobody can take that away. One particular project that cannot be denied is the Trans- Kalabari Road that we are doing.”
Governor Fubara appealed: “I want to beg you that if I cannot meet all you requests today, don’t worry, my successor will continue from where I will stop.”
Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, disclosed that the Buguma-Degema- Abonnema project met all required state standards.
Nwofor said that the road has a 50mm asphaltic binder course and a 50mm asphaltic wearing course.
According to him, the project also included the complete rehabilitation of seven existing bridges across Ido, Abalama, and other neighbouring communities, alongside the installation of streetlights, concrete walkways, culverts, and reinforced concrete drainage channels ranging from 0.5 meters to 2.2 meters in width to support long-term durability.
