Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday commissioned the commencement of work on the 13.59km Trans-Kalabari Road in Rivers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first phase of the road, awarded at the cost of N225bn is expected to boost the local economy of the state.
NAN further reports the ceremony is part of the ongoing activities to mark Gov. Siminalayi Fubara’s first year in office.
The road which has several bridges will link Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas to Port Harcourt city
Speaking at the event, Jonathan commended Fubara for his commitment to infrastructure development, and urged him remain focused on delivering democracy dividends to Rivers people.
He urged Rivers people to support the governor’s efforts towards providing a better quality of life for them.
The former president expressed concerns over the current political crisis in the state, describing it as unnecessary.
“I urge Rivers people to encourage Fubara who has within this short period shown commitment to moving the state to a higher level.
”The political tension in the state is becoming worrisome. It is not the best for us and our people.
“Outgoing and incoming governors should work together for the collective interest of the people.
“The tension will not help us, Rivers is very critical to the nation, it is the heart of the Niger Delta, if Rivers is distabilised, it affects the entire region.
“Leaders should understand that nobody takes 100 per cent, you must learn the principle of ‘give and take’. So let us do things that will benefit our state and the nation at large
Earlier, Fubara said that his administration had paid 30 per cent mobilisation to the contractor, Lubrik Construction Company Ltd.
He explained that the cost of the project was huge because of the terrains that it would traverse.
He said that his administration would not borrow to fund the project, saying, “We shall fund the project from our savings.
“I have used part of our savings to pay up the 30 per cent of the contract worth, so the contractor has no reason to delay, they should start immediately,” he said.
The governor urged the communities affected by the project to cooperate with the contractor in order to ensure smooth implementation.
NAN reports that the event attracted the presence of traditional rulers, elder statesmen, politicians, and other stakeholders in the state.(NAN)