Metro
Mgbu-Osimini -Nkpor Road Enlivens Rumuolumeni, Boosts Traffic
Anybody who plied the Mgbu-Osimini/ Nkpor Road in the past would be surprised to find out that the former dilapidated route is now smooth as a new nail.
From the Big Tree and St John’s axis of Rumuolumeni, it now takes about five minutes drive to get to Mgbudohia from where many residents board boats to Eagle Island and Agip, to avoid the trap and craters along the Mgbu-Osimini/Nkpor route.
Many commuters have to avoid the gridlock and bad road from Npkor to Mile 3, Diobu, which ordinarily would take 15 minutes to drive through. Rather, they prefer the boat crossing which takes five minutes to Agip or Eagle Island, even with the dangers associated with river crossing without life jackets and poorly navigated dug out boats.
The Mgbu-Osimini-Nkpor Road is a three kilometre road that links Rumuolumeni to Chinda and Agip on the South and Ogbogoro to the North and Rumueme to the East.
It harbours over four communities of Mkpikiti , Azumini, Mgbudohia, and Nkpor stretching from the St John’s and Big Tree Bus stops at Rumuolumeni, terminating into the river hosting the Naval base at Iwofe.
Nonetheless, last Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022 marked the end of their agony and will ever remain green in the memory of indigenes and residents of the area as they rolled out drums and the red carpet to welcome Rivers and Bayelsa States Governors who came to unveil the newly reconstructed Mgbu-Osimini -Nkpor Road.
As far as Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was concerned, the road was a testament of his administration to give a facelift to the area that once hosted some companies.
Governor Wike said the project was to shame those who thought the area was fit for abandon over the years.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri who inaugurated the road said he was surprised that few years after leaving Port Harcourt; he could not identify any of the routes because of the urban renewal efforts of Chief Wike.
He maintained that roads were landmarks that bring development and expressed hope that the people of Rumuolumeni will be transformed with the road project.
Apart from giving the area a facelift, a traditional ruler in the community, Eze Ikechi Wabara, said the reconstructed road has brought hope to the people.
He recalled that despite promises from previous administrations, the road was abandoned for many years.
The former State House of Assembly member in the Third Republic told The Metro Tide that plans to rebuild the road commenced in 1983.
Unfortunately, the plans were aborted during the Gen. Buhari-led coup that ousted the Shagari regime, and since then, the road had been in disrepair.
In the words of Eze Wabara,” we are quite happy, you can see it in the faces of everybody. I was surprised over the turn out, because it surpassed what I expected.”
He was optimistic that the road will open up and revitalise the economy in Rumuolumeni area, following the exit of many companies and businesses.
According to the traditional ruler, “As I am talking with you now, there are no more empty shops on the road. Those shops they abandoned two to three years ago have been taken up. There are no shops empty now.”
On the other hand, he pleaded that some of the dilapidated internal roads should also be given attention. They include Eliata, Mgbu-Alimini, Royal Highness and Onunwor Roads.
An indigene of Mgbu-Osimini, Collins Obasi, said he was elated because most of the companies that left the area will come back, “we used to host some companies here”, he said, “we had SAIPEM, Eagle Cement and the Aka Base and so many others will come back now that the road has been reconstructed.
Mr Obasi however wants the community to ensure the road was maintained, “they need to work out plans on how the road will be maintained in area of cleaning the drains and securing the infrastructure.”
A seamstress, Usoro Ekaete, said at a time they had to trek as commercial vehicles stopped plying the road. She told The Metro Tide that she had lived in the area for 10 years, as she expressed joy that their suffering has come to an end.
For many residents and business owners, the new road is an elixir. Jake Ogbowu, a shoe seller at Big Tree junction told The Metro Tide that they lost customers when the road was dilapidated.
Said Ogbowu, “before now, it was difficult to access Mgbodohia from here, even the Aka base road was also bad. So we are happy.”
In the view of a hair saloon owner, and barber at St John’s axis, Magnus Francis, more vehicular traffic along the road will improve patronage.
Francis recalled that few years back, it was difficult to get vehicles, except tricylce that charged N100 instead of N50 to Nkpor village.
As far as Fumilayo Mutiu is concerned, the road will reduce her stress of getting vehicles plying Mile 3 route from the area. “ We used to have the challenge of getting bus from here to Mile 3 since the road was bad.”
Mrs Mutiu who owns a grocery shop by the St John’s bus stop area, noted that since the road was reconstructed, most of the buses she boarded carried her with loads down to the front of her shop by the road side.
An indigene from the area, Comrade Miller Azunna, described the road as one of the best in the city, “In Rivers State now, this is the best road…The truth is that we will enjoy this road for at least 30years”.
But while the excitement and joy of the new road still hover, some residents have expressed fears over possible road mishaps that may trail the development.
Comrade Azunna said apart from the new road, some internal roads like the Royal Highness, Mgbodohia and Onunwor Road need attention as well in the area.
Mrs Mutiu observed that the road was too smooth and sought for construction of speed breakers, “a lot of us have children and school children cross the road to school. I will urge the government to build speed breakers to protect children from being hit by vehicles while crossing the road.”
Her fears were expressed by Francis, “if you notice, today many of the vehicles are driving without caution because the road is smooth. Imagine what happens if the road is without bumps. Let the contractor construct speed breakers to reduce road accidents.”
Already, the governor has ordered the contractor to lay the road with more asphalts and street lighting. This, he believed will further add to the beauty and improve safety on the road.
By: Kevin Nengia
Traditional rulers in Rivers State say they are mobilising their subjects to ensure Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s administration succeeds.
The Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers(RSCTR), Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu – Wodo gave the assurance at the 117th and 118th quarterly general meeting of the council held in Port Harcourt.
He commended the state governor for maintaining peace in the State despite the unwarranted political crisis orchestrated by selfish and overzealous politicians.
He stated that Governor Fubara should not retaliate by toeing the violent path, adding that Rivers people know those who are over-heating the polity.
The chairman further appealed to people of the State on all sides of the political divide to remember that they have nowhere else to call home apart from Rivers State, saying that they must not allow their personal interests to destabilise and stifle growth of the State.
“As traditional rulers, we owe our State the duty of making it peaceful by cautioning our children against violent act. We, therefore, cannot caution anybody if we allow ourselves become overly partisan.
“ We will then lose the moral authority to reprimand those causing trouble when we take sides.So I say let us all work assiduously to maintain peace in Rivers State,” he said.
He used the medium to advise the supporters of the governor to avoid persons or events that will cause violence, as detractors want to make the State ungovernable so as to call for the declaration of state of emergency.
“ Let me use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency for maintaining peace in the State in the face of the unwarranted political crisis orchestrated by selfish and overzealous politicians.
“ You must not, Your Excellency, fall into their traps by going the violent way. All of us know that those who are over-heating the polity have one aim of making this state ungovernable so as to make it fit for a declaration of state of emergency”, Eze Worlu- Wodo said.
He thanked the state governor for appointing him as the chairman of traditional rulers, council adding that he will contribute his own little quota to the development of the traditional rulers council and by extension, our dear State, Rivers State.
“ Council records have shown that this is the second time since you became Governor of the State on May 29, 2023 that you have approved and released funds for two sets of combined quarterly meetings of the council.
“ This means that your administration is not indebted to us in terms of payment of our meeting sitting allowances.
“ It takes only someone who is both law-abiding and generous to be able to do this.
“On behalf of the traditional rulers, I thank you our Governor”, he said.
Stories by Kevin Nengia
As the Rivers State Ministry of Transport announces an ultimatum to commercial drivers to paint their vehicles with the approved state colour latest on August 1, some commercial drivers have pleaded for more time.
The directive was announced on Monday by the State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Collins Onunwo as it insisted that after the deadline, defaulters will not be allowed to operate.
He said in a statement signed by him that the new order is for uniformity and to ensure subsidised rates. “The Rivers State Ministry of Transport and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have reached an agreement with some designated automobile painting workshops, interested persons can contact the following persons.”, he said.
Meanwhile, responding to the directive, some commercial drivers who spoke to The Tide Metro sought for more time so that they can source money to paint their vehicles.
Kennedy Amahu, who plies between Choba and Mile One said , “ the time is too short. August 1 is just less than two weeks from now and I don’t think many of us can meet the deadline.”
Besides, he explained that many commercial vehicle owners do not paint their vehicles as this allows them to take charter and drops into restricted facilities.
He argued that if their vehicles are painted with state colour, many of them will lose customers and will be restricted to enter some places.
On his part, Hope Nwankwo decried the time given by the government, “ I can’t meet up, but if they extend it to October”, many of us can try.
So far, according to Nwankwo, who ferries passengers from Iwofe to Mile One, Diobu, many of his fellow drivers are not aware of the new policy.
He begged that government should do more extensive publicity on the new directive.
Another commercial driver, Anele Nwobi said what should be done is to register the vehicles to monitor car theft than painting vehicles.
“As far as I’m concerned, “ Nwobi said, “ this new government directive will empower Agberos and the police to harass commercial drivers.”
He recalled that previous administrations had given such directive but that after a while, it failed because of poor implementation.
Nwobi argued that with the poor economy, it would be difficult for many drivers to meet the deadline since most of them are on hire purchase. “The price of fuel is too high now for most of us to cover our daily returns, he said.”
Jaja Stephens, a keke bus driver told The Tide Metro that painting vehicles is quite expensive and hence, many of them will be put out of the road.
Apart from pleading for time extension, Stephens further stated that there is need for the drivers unions to sensitise their members, stressing that many of them are not aware of the new government directive.
It was supposed to be a book launch but fate turned it into a day of reminiscence for natives of Rebisi in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.
For over 113 years when their great grandfathers ceded some parts of their land to colonial masters and named it after Sir Harcourt then Secretary of Colonies in 1913, natives of Port Harcourt became part of the new metropolis now called Port Harcourt.
According to Eze Apara Rebisi, HRM Isaiah Elekwu, about 25 square miles of their land were ceded to develop the new city which included a new port and railway at the time.
Fortunately, the book launch turned to a historical forum as speaker after speaker spoke of the past and the rich heritage bequeathed by their fathers.
It was this backdrop that made the paramount ruler of Port Harcourt, HRM Elekwu to charge historians to begin earnest documentation of Rebisi people as a way to preserve their heritage.
The royal father gave the charge during the launch and public presentation of the book, ‘Rebisi Natives of Port Harcourt: History and Developments’ written by Arthur Kalagbor held on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The monarch said intellectuals in the Kingdom should engage more in written than oral history, as he commended Kalagbor for leading the light in documenting his people.
He described the book as the beginning of a new era in Rebisi Kingdom and quest to ensure that there is cohesive and united front among the people.
Calling on elites in Rebisi to rise to the challenge of leadership, Eze Elekwu said time has come to save the future of the Kingdom.
Part of the charge by the Rebisi monarch was to make sure that the struggles of their great grand fathers were captured.
For instance, he recalled that while the 1913 agreement made both by Okrika and some Rebisi chiefs were rejected, the colonial authorities were forced into accepting it.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Sunny Amadi said he was elated that a new awakening has started in Rebisi Kingdom with the book.
The university teacher however, advocated for a new economy for Rebisi as he called for use of estate development to drive future growth of the people.
“In his words, Today most parts of Rebisi have been overtaken by development and that is why I urge our people to see opportunities from the estate , and built environment to preserve the future of children.”
Reviewing the book, Dr Chris Akani described the work as historical legacy, that seeks to throw light on the ontology of the people.
He stated that the seven-chapter book with 106 pages is fluid and easy to read, with special focus on the origins of Rebisi people.
Akani added that, “it’s an exciting book that has come at the right time and I think the author should be given a resounding ovation”.
The book reviewer noted that the book is a response to the desire of indigenes to know their roots.
Following the expansion and migration by Rebisi children which included, Okuta. Abali; Ola Ekenigbo and others.
Said he, “Rebisi had four wives, and he was a young man aching for success. And so the children did not relent to expand like Orubom and Abali who were adventurous.”
The expansion according to the university don was as a result of wars and skirmishes and this took place between 1700- 1734. And this led to the conquer of Elekahia.
While launching the book, former House of Representatives member representing Port Harcourt Constituency, Hon. Ken Chikere described history as key to the future.
He said, “if we know our history, then, we will be fully guided.”
Hon. Chikere, a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General added,” “What is important is to know where you come from. We need to learn our history, so that no one writes our story for us.”
In his remarks, the book author, Arthur Kalagbor disclosed that the book is an outcome of a study group set up by Rebisi Monarch in 2014.
In the view of Kalagbor, the book is not a folklore, but rather a collation of oral history compiled and confirmed by various sources.
He said,” Even with the lack of reading culture, we still need to write with information that are verifiable and evidence-based.”
With the completion of the assignment to collate history of the Kingdom, he noted that he was compelled to expand the frontiers to cover other areas of culture and origins to educate the young generation.
Kalagbor reiterated that the book is dedicated to the future generations who have little knowledge of their history, and thanked royal fathers, and local sources for support, including former President of Ogbakor Ikwerre Organisation Worldwide, Prof. Otonti Nduka for writing the forward of the book.
Kevin Nengia
