Wike Begs Residents Over Traffic Congestion In PH

Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has made an appeal to residents of Port Harcourt, the state capital over the inconveniences faced in most parts of the city resulting from the on-going roads construction.
According to him, “while we deeply share in and regret the inconveniences and pains visited on the public by the massive construction activities, we appeal for understanding as the same are necessary and temporary sacrifices for the development of our state.
“We wish to assure our people that the inconveniences would be short-lived as Julius Berger Nigeria Limited has assured us that they will deliver the three flyover bridges within contract timeline.
“We therefore call on all residents and visitors to Port and its environs to show understanding by being a responsible, obeying traffic rules and cooperating with Julius Berger to complete the construction works as scheduled.”
Wike also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to work with all stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the traffic congestion.
He said “on our part, we will continue to do everything we possibly can to mitigate the inconveniences and ensure the free flow of vehicular and human traffic in the city throughout the construction period.
“We wish to assure you once again that the interest of Rivers State remains our only priority and we shall surely deliver these and other on-going projects to accelerate the development of the state and the well-being of our people by God’s special grace.
The governor who spoke on the circumstances that led to the traffic congestion, also assured that the flyover bridges and other road projects would be delivered on schedule.
“Recall that during our inauguration for our second tenure, we promised to deliver three new flyover bridges at Okoro-Nuodo, Rebisi and Rumuogba axis of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas of the State.
“Recently, we flagged-off the construction of these flyovers as part of activities marking the 100 days of our second tenure in office. During the flag-off, we announced that we have released 70 per cent of the cost of these projects to the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, which has promised to deliver them within 16 months from mobilization.
“In addition to the three flyover bridges, massive construction works by Julius Berger Nigeria Limited are also ongoing at both the new and old Government Reservation Areas of Port Harcourt.
“Now that material construction works is underway in virtually all the afore-mentioned sites, we consider it necessary to express our concern over the distressing traffic congestions being experienced by members of the public in Port Harcourt and its environs arising from the ongoing major construction works.”