Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has threatened to shut down the new Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty in Port Harcourt, if there are reported cases of criminality or physical violence in the area.
The governor said the zeal to provide an enabling environment for sea travelers and boost marine economy of the state, spurred his administration to remodel the once dilapidated jetty first built in the 1950s.
Wike, at the commissioning of the remodeled Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty, said he remodeled the once filthy and disused jetty because, he believes that the people of the State deserve the best infrastructure required, to boost economy activities and enhance their well-being.
He noted that while government will not relent in providing infrastructure needed to create an enabling environment for business to thrive, it will not tolerate criminal activities around the remodeled jetty.
“Those of you too who will use this place, don’t turn it to a place of criminality. If you do that I will shut it down. I have no room for criminality and I want to tell anybody who cares.”
Governor Wike stated that he will not hesitate to shut down the jetty if any passenger travelling to and fro Bonny, Nembe or Bille is reportedly kidnapped around the jetty.
“Don’t come here and kill people. Don’t come here and kidnap people. Don’t come here to act as thugs and criminals.”
The governor ordered the contractor to erect concrete wall around the jetty in order to make it inaccessible for non-travelers. He also directed the Commissioner for Transport to ensure the departure and arrival hall at the jetty is furnished within the next two weeks.
Also, Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, commended Governor Wike for the judiciously applying the resources of State to address pressing needs of the people.
“It is not just about earning revenues, be it revenues from FAAC or from IGR. It is about having the grace of God in applying those revenues to the needs of the people. That is what I see here happening in Rivers State.”
Tambuwal said he has seen roads being constructed, hospitals being built and several other infrastructural development going on across the State, saying that Governor Wike has justified the confidence repose on him by Rivers people.
He described the jetty as a critical project that will go a long way to further make transportation easy and easier for the people of the riverine communities of the State.
According to him, movement of goods and services will be made easier, businesses and safety of people will be improved.