…says Time for stomach infrastructure.
Rivers State Govenor, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the compulsory acquisition of a corporate office complex belonging to the martyred environment rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.
The governor made the order on Tuesday during the inauguration of Oroabali Flyover in Port Harcourt. He said the abandoned complex was defacing the newly commissioned project and government would not let it remain there that way irrespective of who owned the huilding.
He therefore directed the commissioner for lands and houseling and the Secretary to the State Government to immediately commence the process of acquiring the property for government to rehabilitate and out it to good use.
The property, formerly known as Saros Plaza, was owned by Saro-Wiwa before he fell out of favour with the General Sani Abacha Government of Nigeria in 1994 during which the property was vandalised while the tenants moved out.
Meanwhile the Rivers State Govenor also declared on Tuesday that his government would now begin play of stomach infrastructure.
He said having fulfilled his campaign promises to the people of Rivers State his Government would now turn to empowering the people, a very important aspect of governance.
Though he did not explain what he meant by “politics of stomach infrastructure,” Wike said it will be extended to loyal party supporters and other people including the unemployed.
Former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State had popularised the concept eight years ago when he lined up prospective voters and gave them bags of rice and household necessaries. It is believed that stomach infrastructure also includes handing people cash to support a politician during elections.
Governor Wike had been criticised severally foe failing to empower party members and provide employment for the teeming youths of the state. He had also been accused of failing retired workers, whose gratuities he had failed to honour as well as serving civil servants who had not been promoted or had their promotion arrears paid.
It is not known if the stomach infrastructure that Wike talked about would include all these.
He announced the decision to dualise Iloabuchi Street in heart of Diobu area of Port Harcourt, which he said would be the last project his government will execute as part of its urban renewal programme.
Governor Bala Mohammed in commissioning the Oroabali Flyover, praised Wike for staying committed to people-oriented projects even though he was on his way out of office. He said the Rivers governor had what it takes to deliver development at the centre, and urged him to seek a federal job after leaving as governor in Port Harcourt.
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