Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has ordered the commissioner for lands and housing and the Secretary to the State Government to commence the process of compulsory acquisition of Saros Plaza, the corporate office complex allegedly belonging to the late Ogoni environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Governor Wike said also that the expected economic growth of the State has been secured as the infrastructure provided by his administration has been attracting more investors to the State.
The Rivers State governor gave the explanation at the inauguration of the Oro-Abali Flyover, at the Kaduna Street Junction along the Port Harcourt -Aba Expressway in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.
Wike said the abandoned complex was defacing the Oro-Abali flyover his administration built near the property.
According to him, the government would take over the property, rehabilitate it and put it to use.
He added that squatters and miscreants had converted the house to illicit use.
He asserted that nobody can say that his administration has not delivered projects, improved the security situation and promoted peaceful coexistence within the State.
Governor Wike said it is time he focused on the politics of welfare of the people.
“Now that we have done virtually everything we have promised Rivers people, this is the time now we have to play politics of stomach infrastructure.
“What people do not understand; people think when you are in government, from first day, you should be sharing money. I said I won’t do that.
“I have to work for the people of the State. Now that we have worked, the remaining period will be to feed your stomach.”
Governor Wike said welfare is an important aspect of the politics of governance because it entails a form of empowerment of the people economically.
“There is time for everything. Now, the time has come. We have to start to empower our people. The empowerment is for those who have been patient.
“So, every local government, every community will have a pattern of how we are to empower our people.
“As a government, when there is unemployment, some people bring out what they called welfare scheme to be able to cushion the level of poverty in the society. That is what we are going to apply here.”
