Wike To Critics: We Adopt Flyover To Ease Traffic

Critics of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State have been told that it was needless to spend energy disparaging the flyover policy of the government as it was aimed at solving the acute traffic problem in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Giving the explanation on Friday, Governor Wike said the construction of ten flyovers in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor councils by his administration is aimed at addressing the chaotic traffic situation experienced in the State capital.

The governor said by the time the Orochiri-Worukwo and Oroabali flyovers are completed in a few weeks’ time, motorists and commuters will no longer experience harrowing time travelling on the busy Port Harcourt-Aba road.

Wike who stated this shortly after inspecting the progress of work on the Oroabali flyover explained that his administration decided to adopt the construction of flyovers as a traffic congestion reduction mechanism in recognition of the adverse effect of traffic on economic activities.

“When you look at Port Harcourt and what it used to be in terms of the traffic, it is not what any human being will want to witness. It was very horrible and that, of course, affects economic activities,” he stated.

The governor said with the completion of the Rebisi, Rumola and Rumuogba flyovers; the over one hour thirty minutes spent driving from Port Harcourt city centre to the Rumukurushi interchange has been reduced considerably.

“This is what we call development. Look at how it (Oroabali flyover) has transformed the entire area. It is also promise made and promise fulfilled.”

Governor Wike disclosed that  Julius Berger, which is constructing the flyovers has promised to deliver the projects to the State government by the end of this month.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and said the State government is happy that it is getting value for the money spent on the projects.

The governor disclosed that the tenth flyover located at the Rumukurushi -Elimgbu axis of Obio- Akpor council will be flagged off within the next two weeks.

“We thank God for his mercy and for giving us the courage and the resources to carry out this massive infrastructure in the state. And I can tell you the kind of support we are getting from the people.

“We thank Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for giving us the opportunity to contribute our own little quota to the development of the state,” Wike added.