By Tayo Joseph Lagos, Nigeria
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that his administration will ensure that the riverine communities of Andoni and Opobo Local Government Areas are linked to the rest of the state before the next electioneering campaigns.
Addressing the people of Andoni Local Government Area at Ngo during a grand reception/Thanksgiving Service for the recently recognised First Class Chief, King Job Williams Okuruket Nnabiget XIV, Okan-Ama Ngo of Ngo Land, Governor Wike said the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road under construction by his administration will be completed on schedule.
He said: “We will not visit Andoni for campaigns if the Unity Road is not completed. Go home and sleep, you must drive by road to Ngo and Opobo Nkoro. You can see that the work is going on.
“Continue to support the government. I made a promise and I will keep the promise. You supported us and you deserve the best”
The governor added: “As for the Ngo General Hospital let me assure you that we have paid the contractor up to 90 percent of the contract sum. There is no way the hospital will not be completed by the next one month”.
The governor said that he will not take the support of the Andoni people for granted, assuring them that he will take steps to uplift the area.
While congratulating King Nnabiget XIV, Okan-Ama Ngo of Ngo Land for his recognition, the governor announced his support to the project fund for the construction of a palace for the traditional ruler.
He thanked the Traditional Ruler and Andoni people for the Chieftaincy Title conferred on him. He said that the recognition extended to the First Class Traditional Ruler was coming at a time destined by God.
In his address, King Job Williams Okuruket Nnabiget XIV, Okan-Ama Ngo of Ngo Land, said that his recognition marks the end of several chieftaincy conflicts in the area.
He thanked Governor Wike for the recognition of his stool in line with the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. He said that he will not pursue any vendetta as his interest lies with the development of Andoni Local Government Area.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Ikunyi Ibani said the history of the people of Andoni cannot be complete without the mention of Governor Wike, who ended a chieftaincy crisis that has raged for over three decades.
The Speaker who represents Andoni State Constituency lauded the Governor for the full commencement of the construction of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road and the total rehabilitation of the Ngo General Hospital.
He said: “I want to thank you on behalf of my constituency that you have done well for the Andoni people. The governor’s mandate runs from 2015 to 2023” .
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Silas Eneyo stressed that the mandate of the governor subsists till 2023 because of his outstanding performance and commitment to the development of Andoni.
Prominent Rivers leaders who attended the grand reception/Thanksgiving Service for recently recognised First Class Chief, King Job Williams Okuruket Nnabiget XIV, Okan-Ama Ngo of Ngo Land include, Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, Former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, Senator Lee Maeba, Former Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru and Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo.
The event was marked by traditional dances, boat regatta, music and the conferment of chieftaincy titles on Governor Wike