Former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has called for national unity to confront the current security and economic challenges facing the country.
Mimiko made the call on Wednesday during the flag-off of construction work for the dualisation of the Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road in Mile 2, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
He noted that through bold legal actions, the Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike, had deepened national consciousness concerning the defective federal system and advocated true federalism.
He said that Wike combined such national advocacy with effective political leadership with which he doubtlessly changed the physical landscape of Rivers.
Mimiko expressed hope that Wike would remain committed to the struggle to entrench a true federal system that would engender real development across Nigeria.
“It is a mission that must be accomplished. It’s a mission for which you are specially positioned and favoured to play a major role in.
“It is a mission that must be subscribed to by all lovers of our country,” he said.
Eairler, Wike stated that elders of the state like Chief Azubuike Nmerukini and Austin Opara, mounted pressure on him to intervene on the road.
He explained that 80 per cent of the contract sum had been paid to the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC because the project was billed for completion in 6 months.
He said it would be the last of such projects to be executed within Port Harcourt metropolis in keeping with his promise of restoring the Garden City status, of the Rivers capital.
The governor gave the assurance that compensation for property marked for demolition because of the project would be paid in good time so that nothing would delay its completion on schedule.
The Commissioner for Works, Dr Dakorinama George-Kelly, said the road would take off the traffic from the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo flyover onto Eagle Island and other part of the state capital.
Also speaking, Mr Juergen Fischer, the South-South Regional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, said the company was delighted to have been chosen and trusted to do the job.
He gave the assurance that the company would deliver quality job as part of its commitment to the transformation agenda of the Wike’s administration. (NAN)
