Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has inaugurated the 27.52km Andoni section of Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road, to boost transportation and business in the hinterlands.
The inauguration, on Saturday, in Andoni, was part of activities to mark Fubara’s first year in office.
It came over two decades after the project was initiated by former Gov. Peter Odili.
According to the governor, the much anticipated road, which includes three bridges, was re-awarded by his administration in July 2023 to Monier Construction Company Limited.
He said that his administration paid a total revised cost of N11.1bn for the project completion, with the contractor delivering it in a record time of five months.
The governor commended the initiator of the project, Odili, noting that the most important thing was that after 24 years, the section of the road which connects the Andoni people to other local governments had become a reality.
He thanked the people of Andoni for their support in the 2023 governorship election and announced an extension of the project to Oyorokoto, a popular fish hub in the area.
The governor, however, lamented that the state, according to Nigeria Governors Forum’s performance assessment, was below the benchmark in the area of healthcare, education and agriculture.
He promised to bridge the gaps and address the challenges of flooding.
“I am also aware that we have other issues in the other communities in Andoni.
“Some of them are flooding issues which is even the most critical issue; we are going to do something about it,” he said.
Mr Uche Secondus, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also an indigene of the area, thanked the governor for completing the road.
He, however, pleaded for more development in the area, especially at it hosts several oil wells that contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product.
On his part, the contractor, Sen. John Mbata, commended the governor for promoting local content by giving the company the opportunity to handle the project.
He also thanked the communities for the peace in the environment.