Wike: No Hard Feelings Between Bayelsa and Rivers

Wike: No Hard Feelings Between Bayelsa and Rivers

By PHC Telegraph

Despite ordering the demolition of antiquated housing structures which belong to Bayelsa State in the old GRA section of the Rivers State capital and using the same site in the overriding public interest for the construction of new judges quarters, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said there is no love lost between the two sister states.

The Governor spoke Monday at the flag off of the construction of seven units of five bedroom buildings for judges of the Rivers State judiciary.

He said  inspite of reports suggesting a break down in relations, nothing has overtly strained ties that exist between Rivers and Bayelsa States.

Recall that a few days ago, the Rivers State Government apparently acting within the confines of the land use act and its urban renewal scheme  brought down defaced property along Akasa Street in Old GRA owned by the Bayelsa State government.

Governor Wike said on Monday in Port Harcourt that in place of the dilapidated property which went down on the order of his administration, quarters which would house serving judges in the State would be erected.

Governor Wike weighed in on the implementation of the urban renewal programme of his government and the need to rid the high brow area of miscreants as the reason why the old structure had to go.

“This is the second phase of residence for judges of the Rivers State judiciary. It is important to let the public know where we are. This place used to be Bayelsa State government property when it was created out of Rivers State.

“As part of urban renewal, we gave the whole of Old GRA to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to do all the roads and drainages.”

In August 2021, Governor Wike reportedly wrote to the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

The letter informed him of how very dilapidated, the property at Akasa Street had become and how it allegedly served as hideout of people who could not be properly identified.

Wike said his engagement with his counterpart went on without yielding any positive  response.

This trend, the governor  revealed to stakeholders who were present at the occasion, compelled the Rivers State Government to acquire the property, relying on relevant provisions of the law relating to public policy matters.

“Even when we attended our governors meeting, I called his (Diri’s) attention to it, saying there is no way we can allow this kind of property to be here.

“It is either you renovate it, which will not cost more than two or three hundred million”, Wike explained, “or you sell it to the Rivers State Government to be able to rebuild the place, so that we know those who are staying here.”

“In 2022”, Governor Wike whose contribution to the development of infrastructure in Rivers State is widely acknowledged stated. “I reminded him again.”

Wike further acknowledged that the decaying property ceded to Bayelsa State after it was eventually carved out of Rivers State was destroyed because it did not fit into the “clean and safe environment” that is envisaged by the State’s urban renewal scheme.

The governor who traced the historical link between the two states said he wanted “to tell Bayélsa people” that he has nothing against them.

“I have nothing against Bayelsa State or Bayelsa people. But every government must be serious and show leadership”, Wike remarked.

Harping on Rivers – Bayelsa relations, the Governor disclosed that it was because of the cordial relationship existing between the two states that his administration embarked on building hostels as well as an auditorium at the Yenagoa campus of the Nigerian Law School.

“Nobody forced me to go and intervene when I intervened in the law school (in Yenagoa). I spent not less than N5.3B. If we have anything against Bayelsa State, we would not have even tried to help in rebuilding the law school.

“When Bayelsa State government was inaugurating their Medical University, Rivers State government was invited.

“On that Saturday, I was there and Rivers State government donated N500 million. And on Monday the Bayelsa State government acknowledged receipt of the money.

“We are playing brotherly and sisterly role which is what it is supposed to be”, the Rivers Governor concluded.

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Amadi commended the Rivers State governor for his unparalleled support to the judiciary.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Works,  Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo, said the second phase of the Judges Residential Quarters consist of seven units of five bedroom bungalows, service rooms, boys quarters and other facilities that will provide comfort for the judicial officers.

The outgoing Commissioner for Works revealed that the project is expected to be finished within five months.

Earlier in the day, the Rivers strongman commissioned a set of hostels meant for students of clinical medicine schooling at the Medical College of the Rivers State University.

Governor Wike later took to his official Twitter handle to say, “Today, I commisioned the 500-bed Basic Medicine student’s hostel for medical students of the Rivers State University.

  How the rooms furnished for medical students studying at the Rivers State University look.

 

We started this project six months ago, and I am glad it is complete and set to provide an enabling environment for our students to focus on their studies.”