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Wike Recommits To PH Airport Access Road Dualisation
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has reiterated that his administration would dualise the access road to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, in line with his pledge to aviation workers.
Speaking during the 2019 End of Year Party of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, Wike said that he was committed to ensuring better access to the airport.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke, the governor reminded the workers that the process started with the completion of the iconic Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road.
He said: “On the road infrastructure towards the airport, Governor Wike will fulfill his promise. He keeps all his promises to the people.
“Knowing that it is important to provide the enabling environment for people to do business in Rivers State, Governor Wike completed the Obiri-Ikwerre Road to the airport.
“The promise to dualise the airport road with streetlights will be fulfilled and the project completed before the end of our second term.”
Wike added that the Rivers State Government was already expanding the Ikwerre Road up to the airport junction, to resolve the issue of traffic congestion along that route.
He added that all across Port Harcourt, several important infrastructural interventions were taking place to develop a beautiful modern city.
Wike said: “As you drive around town, you will notice a major expansion of different road infrastructure. The expansion of road infrastructure will lead to the improvement of traffic flow.
“By the time road infrastructure expansion is completed and the three flyover bridges are ready, the traffic congestion would ease off”, he added.
He charged the FAAN workers to remain committed to quality service delivery in order to promote safety and comfort for customers at the airport.
“This opportunity will provide a very wonderful platform for the workforce to interact and evaluate their work performance for greater productivity.
“I charge other state and federal agencies to create time for regular interaction among workers.
“For the workers, in your core area of delivery of service, of relating with airlines and customers, I urge you to continue to serve our country, Nigeria,” he said.
He commended the management of FAAN for the annual get-together.
The governor said: “This meeting is a proof of the wonderful relationship that exists between the Rivers State Government and federal agencies in the state.
“Let me thank you for finding time to unwind and relax with your workforce. This is a very special gesture that will motivate the productivity of your workforce.”
In his response, the Managing Director of FAAN, who was represented the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Mr Anozie Norris, commended the staff for working hard all through 2019 to ensure the safety of passengers with no major accident all through the year.
He said: “We recorded many successes and achievements in 2019. We must work to consolidate on the gains of 2020.
Norris said airports and airport managers around the world were working to take advantage of the huge African market.
“We must strive to ensure that we make our airports aviation hubs that will be achieved through hardwork”, he said.
Also speaking, the Manager of Port Harcourt International Airport, Felix Akinbinu reminded the Rivers State governor of the pledge to dualise the airport access road.
He also called on all stakeholders to work towards ensuring that the Port Harcourt International Airport gets the desired international certification.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of a plaque of honour by FAAN to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike with an Award of Excellence for his contributions to the aviation sector.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.