… As Promise-Otuo Acknowledges Support
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed indigenous contractors in Andoni Local Government Area (LGA) for the slow pace of work on the Andoni Unity Road under his tenure as Governor of the State.
He said the contractors deliberately jeopardised the interest of their people for their selfish gain.
According to him, ”They were the people that the unity road was awarded to, each time the contractor is paid, instead of doing the work, they first take the profit up front to protect their interest and jeopardize their people’s interest.”
Wike, who made the revelation yesterday, during his “thank you” visit to Andoni, further revealed that he had to re-award the project to another construction company to ensure completion, adding that as at when he left office in May 2023, 80% of work on the road was complete.
The FCT Minister used the opportunity to commend Andoni political leaders for ensuring unity amongst themselves and encouraged them to continue in that same spirit to attract more progress in the area.
He noted that the unity among the people is what has earned them several key positions in government, saying this has never happened before in the past, “when only one man being the ‘Iroko’ will decide what good will come to Andoni, but God in his infinite wisdom said all that is no longer possible in Andoni.”
He thanked Andoni people for their support in the 2023 election which produced President Bola Tinubu, saying, “in 2023, it was difficult to decide on who to support as President of Nigeria, many people were not able to come out to say support Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
He continued that, “for our local politics, wherever, your leaders are going, that’s the direction to go for the governorship election in 2027. At the appropriate time, we’ll let you know, but please give your support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re- election.”
On his part, Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Lucky Promise-Otuo, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his unwavering support to the people of Andoni.
He said Wike’s leadership as Governor fostered unity among party leaders in Andoni, with notable achievements, including the appointment of Andoni people as Speaker, Head of Service, Attorney General, and Federal Commissioner.
He pledged Andoni’s support for President Tinubu’s re- election bid in 2027, and urged the residents and people of Andoni to reciprocate Wike’s efforts.
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Andoni in the Rivers State House of Assembly who is also Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Ofiks Christopher Kagban, applauded Wike for constructing Ataba Secondary School and elevating Andoni’s chieftaincy stools, which has produced two first-class chiefs and one second-class Chief.
Earlier, the Former Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani said Wike’s actions reflect a “just man” who values justice and appreciation, citing his visit to Andoni as an example.
Quoting St. Thomas Aquinas, Rt. Hon. Ibani said, “Gratitude is a part of justice”, saying that Wike’s gesture shows he is a just man.
Rt Hon. Ibani described Wike as a “political ethnographer”and “agent-centered moralist” who defines his actions based on personal principles.
The event had in attendance political heavyweights from Andoni, including the former Head of Service, Rufus Godwin, former Attorney General of Rivers State and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, former Chairman of Andoni, Barr. Erastus Awortu, Sampson Eqop, and Andoni LGA Vice Chairman, Racheal Ezekiel Abigbani.
Also in attendance were party faithfuls, traditional rulers, security personnel and other stakeholders.
On the entourage of the FCT Minister were OCJ Okocha; Desmond Akawor; the newly appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Olaka Worgu; former Senator, Allwell Onyesoh; former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; the State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha; Rivers State PDP Chairman, Hon. Chukwu Emeka Aaron; Andoni APC Leader; and Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, among others.
Wike Blames Indigenous Contractors For Slow Work On Andoni Unity Road
