…to support bereaved family of Nollywood practitioner
Port Harcourt – Rivers State Executive Council has given approval to the state government to spend the sum of N6.7 billion for the reconstruction of a 5-kilometre long Akania-Ogbogoro Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The approval was given at the Council’s seventh meeting, presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu and other members of the cabinet in attendance.
The meeting, the second this year, was held at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Engr. Atemea Briggs, explained that the road stretches from Akania through Ogbogoro to Ozuoba.
He noted that the road contract was initially awarded to Nugi Nigeria Limited on April 12, 2017, but was abandoned after preliminary works, saying with the abandonment, the road collapsed, making it completely impassible thereby constituting a major traffic challenge to motorists, especially now that works have intensified on the Port Harcourt Ring Road that traverses part of Ozuoba.
“The proposed Akania-Ogbogoro Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area is about 5 kilometres in length. It is connecting Akania to the major Ogbogoro-Ozuoba Road. Presently, the state of the road is completely impassible, and it is filled with water.
“The project was previously awarded to Nugi Nigeria Limited on April 12, 2017, and partial work was done up until 2020, when the contractor abandoned the project,” he said.
According to him, “From that time until now, due to the neglect, the major sections of the road, including the internal community roads have all collapsed.
“But presently, due to the outcry of the people around the area and commuters as a result of the ongoing construction of Port Harcourt Ring Road, the road is considered for reconstruction.
“The Council has approved a total sum of N6,734,865,277.88 kobo only for the road contract award. The period of the construction is expected to last only five months,” he said.
Also briefing newsmen, the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said the Council approved that the former contract with Nugi Nigeria Limited be terminated and the project re-awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
Johnson stated that a 40-percent mobilisation fee has been paid to the new contractor, CCECC, adding that the project will be funded entirely from savings in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
He said the state government believes that it could fund virtually all its projects with savings from IGR without necessarily borrowing from financial institutions because of its prudent application of scarce resources and funds to deliver good governance to Rivers people.
The information commissioner also explained that the state has begun the distilling and clearing of the Nta-Wogba Creek to check flooding in the Port Harcourt City centre, noting that the state government will soon begin rehabilitation work on the failed sections of the Igwuruta-Chokocho Road to assuage the discomfort experienced by the people in the area.
On her part, the Acting Director General, Bureau for Public Procurement, Engr. Ine Briggs, said the agency considered the six applications received from the Ministry of Works that outlined the estimates for the project, and issued a certificate of no objection after thorough due diligence was conducted on the applications.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State governor has assured the state chapter of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and Nollywood practitioners that deserving honour will be given to Precious Chimaobi Ofurum, a Rivers indigene, who was involved in the unfortunate Asaba boat mishap.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance when members of the organisation came to Government House in Port Harcourt last Wednesday to show solidarity to their late member, and to formally inform the government of the unfortunate incident.
The Rivers State governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, said it was their visit that has brought to the knowledge of government that an indigene of the state was one of the victims.
Governor Fubara commended the Nollywood practitioners who have demonstrated enviable solidarity to one of their own, which suggested that the 26-year-old Precious Chimaobi Ofurum was distinguished among them.
The governor described the passing of Precious Chimaobi Ofurum in that ill-fated film shooting trip as unfortunate because he was already an exemplary Nigerian who has demonstrated the success any determined person can clinch while remaining in the country.
According to him, “The entire Rivers State extends our condolences to the family. No one can heal the wound better than God. We heard of the sad news, but honestly, I never knew Rivers’ person was involved. So, as I came and heard of the subject of this visit, I am devastated and the entire people of Rivers State are very sad.
“I want to tell his family, as sad as it is, you should still draw consolation from this: that your son died a hero. He was one of the heroes that Nigeria has ever produced.
“People of his age are leaving the shores of Nigeria but he was very proud of Nigeria, remained here to salvage the image of and carve a name for Nigeria. I am happy to say Precious Chimaobi Ofurum was our own ambassador in the comity of actors.”
Governor Fubara said his administration is youth-friendly, and will never overlook what it will do for the bereaved family of a Rivers youth who utilised his talent productively.
“The Governor is a development-friendly leader. He is a youth like you. Our Governor is one that loves to make the State proud. He is happy when people from the State excel. He will always identify with them. So, even in death, I can assure you that the Governor will do honour to our departed son, Precious Chimaobi Ofurum,” he said.
In his presentation, the convener of the solidarity visit, Mr Eric Stevenson, said on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, some actors returning from a movie set were involved in a boat mishap in Asaba, Delta State.
He lamented that Precious Chimaobi Ofurum, an indigene of Rivers State, was among those who died in the incident.
Mr. Stevenson explained that other states have reached out to claim their own and offered support to the families but regretted that none has come for Precious Chimaobi Ofurum, which is why they decided to notify the state government with the visit in order to bring comfort to the bereaved family.
He expressed satisfaction with the Governor’s response, and hoped that the state will do the needful very soon.
