The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has stated that his state and Abia State will continue to partner to ensure the economic and infrastructural development of not only the two states but also the South south and Southeast regions.
Governor Wike stated this when he paid a working visit to the Governor of Abia, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, at the Government House Umuahia.
Governor Wike who was accompanied by some Rivers State Government officials to Umuahia stated that he was “in Abia state on an assessment tour and to also see what we can learn from the developmental strides of my brother, Governor Ikpeazu, as well as share knowledge on ways of moving the two states forward for the benefit the people”.
He also told newsmen that Abia and Rivers “do not only share boundaries but also share so many other things in common”.
On arrival at the Government House, Governor Wike commissioned new road construction equipment procured by the state government for its operation zero pothole program. He praised Governor Ikpeazu, who he described as a strong grassroots mobilizer, for the novel initiative of equipping the state’s road maintenance agency, ABROMA, with “high quality brand new construction equipment that will make the even best construction companies in Nigeria green with envy” and pledged to replicate what he witnessed in his state.
Wike expressed delight at the visible commitment of Governor Ikpeazu to serve the people of his state and reward their unalloyed steadfast support to him and the People Democratic Party (PDP) with development projects and good governance.
Governor Wike further encouraged his host to continue to steadfastly pursue his 5 points developmental agenda, without minding political distractions and asserted that challenges make true leaders stronger, urging that he should not be deterred by the antics of those he defeated to emerge.
He also encouraged Governor Ikpeazu not to lose focus or be distracted while noting that the Southeast and South south must work together to ensure the good of the regions and called on the youths of the two regions to always seek dialogue as preferred means of settling issues rather than engaging in acts of violence that will expose them to harm.
In his response, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated that his administration’s relationship with the Rivers State governor and his government has been a blessing to him and the people of Abia State as it also provided him with a strong source of encouragement.
Dr Ikpeazu who noted that his Rivers counterpart taught him new lessons in selfless service to the people as the hallmark of leadership, stated that he wants to be judged by the people of Abia state by his works as he was not interested in making excuses for non performance.
According the him, “it is my hope that the great people of Abia state will judge me strictly by my performance as their Governor and so I am not interested in telling them about political distractions or making excuses for non performance”.
Continuing, Governor Ikpeazu also said that “the relationship between Abia and Rivers state is beyond politics as there are historically deep rooted ties between the people we serve. We have common economic growth interest and Abia can leverage on the presence of her neighbors like Rivers State to grow her economy. That is one more reason why our relationship is special and important to us”.
