In a bid to address the issue of congestion of the Okrika Kingdom, the Rivers State government has flagged-off Okrika New Town Sandfilling/Reclamation project.
The event which took place on Thursday, July 1, 2021, witnessed a very large turnout of Okrika people, youth groups singing and dancing and thanking God for using Governor Nyesom Wike to alleviate their long suffering.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the occasion, the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head of Okrika Clan, His Majesty (Dr) Alfred Semenitari Abam (Ado IX) commended Governor Nyesom Wike administration for focusing on the people and the need to make them have faith in good governance.
He thanked the governor for his efforts in ensuring that the long awaited project commenced, and prayed that the project would be completed as soon as possible. He further noted that the project would now afford the people of Okrika to expand.
The monarch reiterated that Governor Nyesom Wike has lived up to the expectation of the people of Okrika by implementing and executing quality projects, saying that the sandfilling project is very necessary for the economic development of Okrika Kingdom.
Giving a brief history of their problem, the monarch said sometime in 1963 the then Eastern Regional Government No. 23 of 1963” mentioned that Okrika was highly congested as a result of population explosion that leds to incessant rioting in Okrika.
Explaining further he said in the 80’s the Federal Government stepped in to sandfill the area for New Okrika but the project never saw the light of the day, adding that it was only the Okilo administration that came up with a palliative measure and not a permanent cure.
According to him, the governor has exhibited a higher sense of commitment to the development of the Okrika and the state at large.
While urging the governor not to relent in his developmental strides across the State, the monarch also called on residents of the state to exercise patience with the government for the inconveniences caused by the rampant execution and construction works going on in all parts of the capital city and environs.
HRH, King (Air Commodore) T.E.O Ogube (Rtd), the Amanyanabo of Kirike also expressed satisfaction with the programmes and activities of Governor Nyesom Wike administration describing them as meaningful, monumental and sustainable.
He said the New Okrika Sandfilling/Reclamation project when completed will usher in development, progress, peace and unity.
The monarch also assured the state government and the contractor of their total cooperation for the successful completion of the project.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, George Kelly Alabo said “land means a lot to the Riverine people of Rivers State most especially those that dwell around the coastal line, of which Okrika is one of them.”
He said they are expecting 25 hectares of land to be sandfilled which is approximately 536 plots of land which will be sandfilled and reclaimed for the people of Okrika by the state government and that the project is expected to be delivered in a period of 9 months.
The Managing Director of Gaskon Limited, Mr. Precious Sekibo assured the state government that the company will deliver a quality work at the stipulated time.
