It was a celebration of the high level performance of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as thousands of residents of Port Township trooped out to participate in the commissioning of two major roads in the area.
The roads that were commissioned were: Dame Patience Jonathan Road (Former Creek Road) and Bishop Johnson Street.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike announced the change of the name of the reconstructed road from Creek Road to Dame Patience Jonathan Road
He stated: “Our mother Dame Patience Jonathan is a woman who has supported us. We recognize her because of her contributions, we recognise her because of her support for the development of the state. It is on this note that I rename this road, Dame Patience Jonathan Road “.
The governor said that the reconstruction of the road was in fulfilment of his campaign pledge to the people of Port Harcourt township.
“When we were campaigning, we assured the people that we will deliver this important road. All of us know how this road was before the reconstruction. Borokiri and township roads were in very deplorable conditions before we came on board.
“It was as if Borokiri and township were no longer part of Port Harcourt. To the glory of God, this road has come back to life”, he said.
He charged the residents of the area and traders to cooperate with the Rivers State Government to ensure the maintenance of the road.
He warned against trading on the street, using the street as mechanic workshops and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Commissioning Dame Patience Jonathan Road, National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus commended Governor Wike for the transformation of the state.
He said the former Creek Road is a critical road to the economy of Port Harcourt as it links neighbouring countries for business transactions.
“For 38 years, this road was left to rot. Previous administrations neglected the road. The road was completely destroyed. The governor has done this major project not only for Port Harcourt, but for the riverine communities “, Secondus said.
Secondus said that the propaganda of APC has failed, noting that the people will vote out the APC in 2019.
At the commissioning of the two roads, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Orukwem Oparaeli said the people of the area appreciate Governor Wike for his outstanding developmental strides.
Commissioner of Works, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor said that the road projects were constructed in line with approved specifications for the benefit of the people.
The celebration reached its crescendo as Governor Wike, the PDP National Chairman, Former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo and Senator Lee Maeba joined by thousands of residents and trekked from Dame Patience Jonathan Road (Former Creek Road) to Bishop Johnson Street for the second commissioning.
Along the five kilometres road, residents lined the route singing the praise of Governor Wike. The governor stopped on two occasions to chat with students of two different schools who were on the road to appreciate his good works.
Commissioning the Bishop Johnson Street, Governor Wike his administration will continue to make the people happy through the sustained delivery of projects.
He thanked the people for giving them him their mandate for service, noting that this is the time for him to repay them.
The governor said that the entire township roads will be revived as the administration has directed Julius Berger to reconstruct more roads in the area.
He said that the Federal Government spends valuable time on trading blame, rather than delivering development.
Governor Wike said that Rivers resources will be used strictly for the development of the state.
In appreciation of the reconstruction of the Dame Patience Jonathan Road and Bishop Johnson Street, hundreds of former APC members defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.