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The Greater Port Harcourt Project …Myth or Reality?
Upon coming into being on October 26, 2007, the present administration in Rivers State, led by the governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Romiti Amaechi, wasted no time in unveiling its development agenda, part of which was the Greater Port Harcourt City project.
As the capital of Rivers State and nexus of the nation’s all-important oil and gas industry, Port Harcourt also dons the toga of a thriving commercial and industrial hub in addition to being Nigeria’s Garden City.
It is perhaps for these reasons that the city has continued to witness steady growth in human population which has, in turn, exerted a serious strain on its existing infrastructure.
Information available at the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), explains five reasons for which the state government is building the New City. These are:
* The fact that Port Harcourt, the treasure base of the nation, is the fastest growing city in the Niger Delta means that there is the need to control its development.
*The need to modernise Port Harcourt and reawaken the once thriving Garden City.
*The need to improve the standard of living of all people in the city by providing better living environments that are properly serviced; and give access to social services and infrastructure.
*The need to create a modern business node that will accelerate economic growth and development supported by appropriate economic policies and good government.
*The need to plan the city in a manner that will attract private sector interest, involvement and investment in infrastructure, housing, retail, offices and other commercial facilities.
One of the earliest demonstrations of Amaechi’s commitment to the Greater Port Harcourt project came with the commissioning of Arcus GIBB, a reputable South African engineering firm, to study the entire landscape surrounding the state capital and produce a master plan for the development of a new Port Harcourt city. And there is no doubt that what the firm produced did impress the governor.
“To this end, government will establish a Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority charged with the responsibility of implementing the master plan. We have set aside N50 billion this year to fund the project. Let me assure you all that at the end of this exercise, we will have a world-class city that will be clean, green, orderly and a delight to live in,” he said while presenting the GPHCDA bill to the State House of Assembly in 2008.
How Far Has The Dream Gone?
The GPHCDA, which law came into effect on April 2, 2009, has the mandate to facilitate the implementation of the Greater Port Harcourt master plan and build the New City.
The Authority functions through a 17-member governing board with Chief Ferdinand Alabraba as chairman while its day-to-day operations fall under the Administrator, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, a lawyer, former Attorney-General and later, Secretary to the State Government during the administration of Dr Peter Odili.
The New City master plan covers Port Harcourt and parts of seven other local government areas, namely Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche, Oyigbo, Eleme, Okrika and Ogu/Bolo. It occupies a land area of 190,000 hectares (about 1,900 sq. km) with a projected population of two million.
So far, GPHCDA’s master plan implementation approach has been quite methodical and involves a phased development of the New City beginning with Phase 1 which is divided into A,B,C,D and located in the northern axis of the plan, near the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The Authority has already awarded contracts for the construction of roads, drainages, water scheme, electricity and other necessary infrastructural facilities that will attract individual and corporate developers to the area.
Apart from the Port Harcourt Mega Bus Terminal which is now fully completed and some facilities at the Rivers Sports Village which were completed and used during the 17th National Sports Festival last year, work is currently in progress at the new site of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology; the Rivers Mega Hospital; the Federal Housing Scheme; Joseph Yobo Road; and the PTDF National Centre for Skills Development.
Other projects for which contracts were recently awarded in the New City include: the storm water drainage and reticulation contract; the 33 KVA electricity supply substation contract to Weltek Nigeria Limited; provision of housing and township services by DSC International Company Limited; and the N709.4 million temporary bulk water supply scheme awarded to Paterson Candy International Limited.
As for local and foreign business investors, it is expected that they will endeavour to take advantage of the numerous incentives on offer by the government, in addition to the already existing investor-friendly legal regime in the state.
A five-year tax holiday, free land in the New City, rebate on off-take guarantees, international carbon credits and other special concessions are already up for grabs by investors who meet certain regulatory requirements as spelt out by GPHCDA.
Also, the Rivers State Public Procurement Law of 2008, Public Private Partnership Law of 2009, GPHCDA Law of 2009, Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2010 and the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act of 2005 are already in existence to ensure due process and transparency in government’s transactions, protection of private investments and procurement of indemnities in case of any government default, among others.
What Programmes Does The Amaechi Administration Hope To Deliver In 4 Years?
From the onset, the Rivers State Government knew that it will be beyond the state to wholly fund the development of a new Port Harcourt City. Nevertheless, the Amaechi administration had proposed an annual expenditure of N100 billion for 50 years alongside private partners (under a PPP arrangement), beginning with the 2009 budget.
Given the international prominence which Port Harcourt already enjoys, particularly on account of oil and gas, coupled with its status as an industrial and commercial centre, there is no doubt as to the City’s impending growth into an investors’ paradise. But first, certain basic amenities have to be on the ground to attract such businessmen into the suburban Greater Port Harcourt brushes.
This probably explains why the state considered floating a N250 billion infrastructure bond to enable it fund such key projects as the new state university, mega hospital and its M1 Road before the end of the present administration.
Again, it could be recalled that the state recently suffered financial denials following the ceding of its 86 oil wells to neighbouring Akwa Ibom State. Although the issue has been resolved and a refund ordered, there is every likelihood that such accruals would have found expression in the New City’s development had the money come at its due time.
What Are The Challenges?
When the government announced its intention to develop a new city, mostly northward, and away from the old Port Harcourt city, the initial public reaction was better seen than imagined.
Many Rivers people, particularly the riverine folk, were angered over the very idea of having to move the state capital further into Ikwerre land and, with it, the nation’s pioneer university of technology. The state administration was particularly accused of promoting an ‘Ikwerre Agenda’—being that the governor is an Ikwerre man.
Truth is that the Greater Port Harcourt Project was initially a hard sell even to Ikwerre landlord communities which feared that there may not be adequate, if any, financial recompense. But with time and having seen the international standard employed in the design and construction of some of the projects, there is now a wider public acceptance of the government’s motives.
There is also a better appreciation of the economic benefits that will soon be enjoyed in the area and later spread to the rest of the state.
Of course, scarcity of funds will always constitute a big challenge for projects of this nature. It is even more so now that recession is prevalent in Europe and America from where most of Africa’s investors and investible funds originate.
Ibelema Jumbo
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
