* Describes Wike as “champion of urban renewal” efforts in the country;
* Wike remembers members of GDI;
* Thanks the group for its sacrifice
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State says Governor Nyesom Wike is unmistakably the country’s “urban renewal champion”.
The Abia State Governor was speaking while commissioning the Orugbum Crescent Road Project in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Ikpeazu lauded Wike for his developmental strides, which he observed, would definitely help to attract much needed investments to the Rivers State.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.. Wike is urban renewal champ.
He said Wike has earned admirers who appreciate his deligent pursuit of development, saying it is proof of his love for the people.
The Governor also acknowledged that there were people who may not love Wike, but who nonetheless love his projects.
“You are not jollof rice”, Ikpeazu said in reaction to unguarded comments by a few misguided critics of the Rivers State Government, “not everyone will like you.”
Governor Wike… “You are not jollof rice”
He spoke of his personal relationship with Governor Wike and said that he was not unaware of the fact that he may be the target of those who hate his Rivers counterpart.
He urged Wike to continue the delivery of quality projects, saying, that is what matters at the end of the day.
Ikpeazu further said that he was greatly impressed that the Rivers government has used Julius Berger Nigeria Limited to execute most of his projects.
Speaking earlier, Governor Nyesom Wike who thanked Governor Ikpeazu for joining him to commission the road project.
He promised that members of the Grassroots Development Initiative, GDI, would be adequately rewarded.
The Governor noted that members of the group identified and stayed on with him when no one probably thought he would make it to Brick House.
He acknowledged that some members of the group have passed on, but said their contribution and the contributions of surviving members of GDI would remain evergreen.
GOV Wike: We will not forget the sacrifices of the GDIIkpeazu who took time off from his schedule to commission the Orugbum Crescent Project will not be the first Governor to hint at the cost of engaging the services of Julius Berger and the quality of work that the firm brings to the table.
Governor Bala Mohammed referred to it when he visited recently, saying Governor Wike should be vested with the responsibility of contributing to growth and development at the centre.