Kalabari Voted Massively For PDP In Appreciation Of Gov Wike's Goodwill, Says DELGA Chairman


The Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area and Mayor of Kalabari, Hon. Michael John Williams, has stated that the people of the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality voted massively for the Rivers State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and all other National and State Assembly candidates in the just concluded general elections, to show deep appreciation to the Executive Governor of the State, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, because of his goodwill towards them.

The Council Boss, who disclosed this during the commissioning ceremony of the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road, Tuesday, noted that the Kalabari people had never benefited so much from any former administration since the creation of the State, like they have done in the Wike administration.

He noted that although some other persons from the Kalabari extraction threw their hats in the ring for the governorship, but the Kalabari people, reputed for their gratitude towards good deeds, rather opted for Sim Fubara, as a demonstration of their appreciation towards the governor for his magnanimity towards them.

The DELGA helmsman, who further stated that the Kalabari people were overjoyed with the actualization of the first phase of the road project, added that the crowd of people at the event was to say 'thank you' to the governor for linking six island communities, that were hitherto inaccessible by road, to the mainland.

Earlier in his address, the Amanyanabo and Paramount Ruler of Abonnema, HM King Barr. Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel ii, Ekineye Gbobo, Owukori IX, while thanking Gov. Wike for the milestone achievement, noted that the governor had lived up to the title of Se-Ibidokibo 1 of Kalabari (one who does good for the Kalabari people), bestowed on him during the Grand Civic Reception, held in his honour by the people of the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality.

The Monarch, who is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Benue State University, particularly thanked the governor for elevating several chieftaincy stools in Kalabari and recognition of incumbents, as well as executing several notable projects in Kalabari land, praying God to give the governor the grace to continue to stand by and support the Kalabari people, even after he leaves office.

Giving the project description, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dax Alabo George-Kelly, stated that the road, connecting six communities of Krakrama, Minama, Angulama, Sangama, Omekwe-Ama and Omekwe-Tari-Ama, has a total length of 13.545km.

He said the project, which was flagged-off and completed within 18 months as scheduled, despite some futile attempts to frustrate it, has a major bridge on the Degema-Krakrama stretch, built in such a way that both on low and high tides, river crafts could navigate through.

Dr. George-Kelly, who commended the governor for writing his name in the sands of time, noted that before the construction of the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road by the Wike administration, only 12 of the 33 communities in Kalabari were accessible by road.

In his address, Rivers State Governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike thanked the Kalabari people for what he described as their "wonderful performance" during the just concluded governorship election.

He noted that the Kalabari people were wise enough to know that the over seven candidates from their area, who contested for the governorship, were unserious, but merely wanted to appear on televisions and bear the title of former governorship candidates.

"Let me use this opportunity to thank the people of Kalabari, making up the three LGAs for the wonderful performance you showed in the last election.

"I know over seven of your children were making attempts to be known, not that they were making attempts to win elections; they know there was no way they would have won, but let it just be on record that they have opportunity to appear before Arise news.

"But I thank you for identifying that they were not serious, and you do not want anybody to take you backwards."

The governor stated that despite attempts by some enemies of progress to frustrate the project, by kidnapping some staff of the construction company, the State Government was determined to deliver its promise to the people, as it would not be intimated to abandon it.

The governor, who reiterated his administration's resolve to continue to award and commission projects till its last day, announced that his administration would award the Minama-Obonoma road before leaving office in two months.

The Special Guest of Honour and Governor of Oyo State, who inaugurated the project, commended Governor Wike for doing well for the entire people of the State.

He noted that he had been in the State a couple of times to either commission or flag-off one project or another in different parts of the State, adding that his administration has taken a cue from the governor to replicate his project delivery in Oyo State.

The occasion was well attended with dignitaries and guests across the country.

The hospitable and peace loving people of Kalabari showcased their rich cultural heritage, both in masquerade and Iria display, to thrill and entertain guests.


Daerefa-a Christopher Braide
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area.

March 28, 2023