The gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Rivers State, Precious Elekina, has promised to complete the Port Harcourt Monorail started by the immediate past governor and minister of transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
The project was said to be no longer feasible leading to its abandonment. The Nyesom Wike-led administration has not breathed any words about the project since coming into office in 2015.
However, while answering questions during the 2019 gubernatorial debate organized by the British Broadcasting Corporation’s pidgin service, Elekina vowed to continue the monorail project started by the Amaechi’s administration, but with a diversion to Isaka community in Okrika local government area of the state.
He promised to create employment for teeming unemployed through the setting up of no fewer than 92 industries within four years, saying: “I want peace for every Rivers man because if we don’t have peace, it will worry us.
“We will stop stealing of government funds and create employment through industrialisation. I will create jobs opportunities in 6 months and 92 industries in four years. By next four years, we won’t be able to sell our oil again. We need to diversify.”
On his part, the ADP governorship candidate, Fingesi, said if elected his administration will provide funds for the setting up of modular refineries in order to discourage illegal oil bunkering.
The ADP governorship hopeful berated past administrations in the stare for failing to eradicate hunger and poverty despite several promises, saying that if elected, his administration will curb insecurity so that foreigners who fled Port Harcourt could come back.
He said: “Rivers people are tired of hunger and poverty. The government that has been on power since 1999 has promised to eradicate poverty but failed. We will curb insecurity so that foreigners that left could come back and establish industries to create jobs for our people.
“I am a security expert and I will meet every stakeholder in security so that we can turn the table around and start securing our state. When we have peace, investors will come.”
In his speech during the debate, ADC governorship candidate, Braide, said the state needs peace and reconciliation in order to move forward, pointing out that he has been in touch with former militant leaders in the state on his effort to ensure peace in the state.
He said: “Rivers State is not moving forward. It is all of us and not only the government. With good roads and infrastructure without industries, we won’t progress.
“There is insecurity, cultism and gangsterism because we allowed those who should not be in government to be. Peace and reconciliation will move us forward and that is what my party, the ADC stands for. I am the only person that talks to the militants.”
On his part, the LP governorship candidate, Wonwu, vowed to restore scholarship scheme for students in the state and reintroduce mechanized agriculture in order to help the rural farmers.
He said: “The past government tried but if voted in, I will surpass the achievement of past governments. I will create wealth for our people and restore scholarship schemes.
“I will reintroduce mechanized agriculture and create jobs for our people. Labour Party is the party for everybody and we will protect everybody. It is the party for all workers and all Nigerians. I am an industrialist.”
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