The Oneh Eh Paramount Ruler of Alesa Kingdom in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Emperor J. D. Nkpe, has said that the proposed Port Harcourt Ring Road will boost the economy of the State.
The construction of the project, which will include six bridges, will crisscross six LGAs of the State, will be flagged off today by former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, King Nkpe said apart from boosting the economy of the state, the road will also improve the security of the State.
According to the monarch, the economic importance of the road is overwhelming, as all rural communities will be linked up, thereby facilitating the movement of agricultural produce from one location to another.
“It will be very much economical for the State as all the monies that will be spent in its construction will be regained.
“I have told my people that nobody should bring in any bottleneck in the construction of the Ring Road”, he said.
The Alesa monarch also urged communities where the project will pass through to give free hand to the government and the construction company.
He also stressed the need for Rivers people to give Sir Siminalaye Fubara the full support, while mischief makers should leave the Governor alone.
“Those that want to disturb the government should leave the Governor alone. Fubara will surprise this State”, he said.
He continued that “with Fubara as Governor of the State, Rivers State will become the envy of other States in the country”.
Meanwhile, King Nkpe has decried the continous abandonment of the Eleme section of the East-West Road by the Federal Government.
He said the continous abandonment of the road has shown the Federal Government’s disregard to the contributions of Eleme people to the economy of the country.
The monarch said even the companies operating within Eleme Local Government Area are not concerned about the welfare of the people.
He said his people will no longer take the Federal Government seriously as far as the Eleme section of the East-West Road is concerned.
According to him, it is not the first time Eleme people have been deceived, and denied development, adding that successive governments have been promising Eleme people and expressed the hope that the Tinubu-led administration will be different as far as the road is concerned.
He, however, said Eleme people will not take the laws into their hands.
“The road links Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi State and even Cameroun.
“The Aleto bridge was constructed in the 50’s and that bridge is not enough to carry the volume of traffic on the road”, King Nkpe said.
The Royal Father also called on companies operating in Eleme to respect the wishes of their host Communities and implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He condemned the divide and rule tactics being employed by the companies in dealing with their host Communities.
“Most of the companies are like a curse to Eleme land, even with the PIA laws the companies are not listening to Eleme people”, he stated.

By: John Bibor