Former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources as well as Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri, a member of, PDP Board of Trustees was, in Rivers state over the weekend to commission the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni unity road project, constructed by the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

Waziri expressed gratitude to Governor Wike for solving the critical needs of the Opobo people. While calling on all Nigerians to embrace the spirit of unity, despite the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. He stressed that if Nigeria remains united, good projects like the Opobo road will continue to be in the country.

A crowd of excited residents thronged the road and cheered the dignitaries who came to the area to inaugurate the project, as, after more than 150 years of its existence, the ancient Opobo kingdom will now be accessed by road.

Alhaji Maina Waziri who observed how excited the people are to have a road to drive on to connect the island to the rest of the State added that Governor Wike has brought humanity to leadership, and that good leadership not only endears the leader to his people, it also gives people the basis to question why the same can’t be done in other places.

According to him “There are certain dividends (respects) that ordinarily have come to Governor Wike because he has earned them. But Governor Wike is not a governor for Rivers alone. He is an uncommon governor in PDP”.

The former minister further declared that Governor Wike aside from being an uncommon governor is also providing Nigeria with an indispensable ingredient of democracy that will promote nation-building.

“He is giving the Nigeria polity the indispensable ingredient of democracy. And that is, for democracy to thrive, to be useful, for it to flourish, democracy must promote nation-building, he added.

Also, during the occasion, the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike appreciated the administration of former Governor Peter Odili for conceptualising the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni unity road project, he said without the foresight of Dr Odili, it would have been difficult for his administration to complete the Opobo axis of the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road.

While addressing the residents of the ancient and historic Kingdom of Opobo. Wike said the completion of the road and its inauguration is a dream come true for him, the people of the area and his administration.

The Governor who expressed satisfaction at the achievement said he is rather elated to know he has been able to fulfil his 2014 campaign promise to the Opobo people.

He went on to appreciate the people of Opobo for their support, and call for peaceful coexistence at all times.

The governor also directed his Special Adviser of Special Projects to consult with the king and leaders of Opobo on where they desire a new land to be sand-filled and reclaimed for them by the State government.

Wike also urged the Survey General of the State to commence the process of land mapping and survey of the already sand-filled land in the area to enable Opobo people to begin the allocation of spaces among themselves.

Rivers State Commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the road is entirely built through mangroves and swamps.

“It is 11.15km long, 7.3m wide with a 1.5m wide shoulder on either side. From the start point at Nkoro/Opobo junction to this point where we are now gathered, you will cross 18 culverts of varying dimensions and 5 bridges of varying lengths the shortest being 34m.

He said “Due to terrain peculiarities, we have an average fill height of 4m, the least fill height being 2m, a height that qualifies me as a short man, and some fill heights as much as 8m high, taller than a storey building. It has 2 layers of Asphalt, a binder course of 6cm and a wearing course of 4cm. All together 10cm.”

The commissioner said with the commissioning of the 11.15 km Opobo road on the Opobo axis of the 43 km Ogoni, Andoni, Opobo Unity Road, the Kingdom of Opobo has lost its Island status.

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