FAVOUR ISHEMBER, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has praised President Bola Tinubu for completing the long-awaited 37.8km Bodo-Bonny Road, which provides the first land route to Bonny Island, a key oil and gas hub in Rivers State.
Wike made the commendation during a visit to Bonny Local Government Area, thanking Tinubu for ending decades of treacherous river crossings and costly air travel to the island.
The road, partially opened to light vehicles, has been a decades-long promise by previous administrations, but Tinubu’s government saw it through.
Wike also thanked Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for his role in realizing Tinubu’s vision.
“Before, each time we wanted to come to Bonny for a campaign, we would ask ourselves, ‘How is the tide?’ Even in a helicopter, I would see the ocean and pray to return safely,” Wike recalled.
“But today, as we are coming here, I say God, may you be glorified and with this tell me why Bonny people will not support Mr President?
“Bonny people, God’s time is the best and God’s time has come. You will continue to benefit from Tinubu’s administration,” he said.
Wike advised the people not to be distracted by the current political crisis in the state, stressing that “in politics, there is always disagreement. What is important is to disagree and agree.
“When a place is united, you will see the benefits that would accrue to the people. As leaders, continue to work together so you will continue to bring more things for the people of Bonny,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Cyril Heart, representing Degema-Bonny Federal Constituency, commended Wike for championing women inclusion in governance in Rivers State and the country at large.
Describing the move as an “unspoken legacy” of the minister, the lawmaker recalled how Wike insisted that women must be vice chairmen of local government councils in Rivers State.
He said that the National Assembly was making efforts to replicate what the minister did in Rivers State, through a bill that would institutionalise women’s inclusion in governance across the country.
Also, Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council, Mr Abinye Pepple, described Wike as the most “dependable, reliable and cheerful leader” of Rivers politics.
Pepple commended the minister for the numerous projects he executed in the area during his tenure as the governor.
He equally commended the minister for being the first to give Ijaw people the opportunity to be governor in Rivers State.
“Also, for the first time in history, our people can drive from Bonny to Port Harcourt. This is an overwhelming experience.
“My father and mother didn’t experience that, but through you, Mr President has completed that project and now you can come to Bonny through land, through water and through air.
“For this and many others, we will deliver Bonny to Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
For a better society
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
