…says projects will ensure victory for APC

​Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared that his administration’s performance in delivering legacy projects will give the All Progressives Congress (APC) a decisive advantage in the forthcoming general elections, as candidates of the ruling party will lean on his track record during campaigns.

​Governor Fubara made the assertion on Wednesday while commissioning the 14.5-kilometer Agba-Ndele Road and a 200-meter-long bridge, a strategic infrastructure linking communities across the Emohua and Abua/Odual Local Government Areas of the state.

​Speaking at the event, the governor stated that the project, alongside several others commissioned recently, would serve as a potent campaign tool for the APC, making it seamless for party candidates to connect with grassroots voters.

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​“I believe that what we have done here today will make it easy for our candidate to represent us in the forthcoming elections. When he comes here to campaign, especially in Emohua, he will tell them, “My party did this, and my party did that. “So, it will be easy for us to win the election here,” he said.

​Fubara described the road and bridge as part of his administration’s commitment to taking development to rural areas and ensuring governance yields visible benefits. He explained that state intervention became necessary following the deplorable condition of the old Abua Road, which subjected commuters to severe delays.

​He said, “Like I’ll always say, I’m not interested in just doing anything; I’m interested in doing something that can add value and change the lives of our people. I can beat my chest this afternoon to say the value of this project cannot be overrated. It is something that has come at the right time, when our people from Abua, our people from the other side of Ahaoda, are having difficulties on the old Abua road. So, with this project, I think that part of the problems they are having there will be solved.”

​The governor disclosed that the bridge project was initiated not by his administration or that of his immediate predecessor, but by a previous government. He maintained that he was driven to complete it because of his belief that governance is a relay race where successive administrations must build on existing structures.

​“When you see something that will benefit the people, it doesn’t matter who started it. What is important is you complete it and put it to use. So, I want to thank everyone who has supported us in this project, most especially the people of Ndele who gave their total commitment to the contractor. Without you giving that support, this project wouldn’t have been completed, and we won’t be here today,” Fubara added.

​The governor charged the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, and his Abua/Odual counterpart, Hon. Owolabi Michael Ofori, to take direct responsibility for safeguarding public infrastructure within their domains.

​He further called on residents, youth groups, and traditional rulers in Agba-Ndele and adjoining communities to take ownership of the facility and guard against vandalism, warning that destruction of public assets sets communities back and wastes public resources.

​Providing technical details earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, stated that the project comprises a 14.5-kilometer road with a 10.3-meter binder-course width, a 7.3-meter wearing-course width, three-meter shoulders, and a 0.6 m by 0.6 m drainage section.

​He added that the bridge spans 239.4 meters with a width of 10.3 meters, including 1.5-meter walkways on both sides and a 1.2-kilometer access road.