PDP applauds massive turnout at Jonathan’s campaign in P’Harcourt

• ‘His re-election not negotiable’

• Minister lists president’s achievements in road sector

AS the nation inches closer to the February elections, Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, has called on Nigerians to appreciate what he called “the massive transformation in the road sector” under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and reward him with a second term mandate as president.

  Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the PDP has said the massive turn-out for Jonathan’s campaign visit to the state is a confirmation that Rivers still remains a top PDP state and that the president’s re-election is non-negotiable.

  Describing the road sector transformation as one of the unique selling points of the Jonathan’s administration, Onolememen said the administration would build more road infrastructure and improve greatly on its verifiable records of achievements in the years ahead.

 He said, in a statement in Abuja, that there were solid reasons Nigeria should vote en-masse for President Jonathan, pointing out that his administration’s intervention has not only transformed “our roads from death traps, but also to a motoring pleasure comparable to what obtains in the developed world.”

  According to him, “major arterial roads have been completely rehabilitated-133 road projects equitably distributed in the six geo-political zones awarded, 62 completed and impressive progress recorded on others.

“The transformation agenda in the road sector, aimed at linking the six geo-political zones of our country with dual carriageways and providing safer roads, is on course.”

Onolememen stated that 25, 000kms (about 70%) of federal roads are now motorable compared to 4,500kms (16%) at the inception of the Jonathan’s administration.

He said movement of people, goods and services are now easier through the federal roads across the country, adding that this had contributed to social wellbeing and economic growth. “Accidents and carnage on our roads have been significantly reduced, with improved federal roads since President Jonathan’s administration, while travel times from origins to destinations have been drastically reduced,” he stated.

The minister added: “Transport fares have been slashed across our country by operators who acknowledged that ‘the roads are now better’ and cost of fueling and maintenance of vehicles have also diminished, with positive impact on production costs.”

He listed major bridges that are being constructed to enhance economic development and social integration in the country to include Second River Niger Bridge in Anambra and Delta states, Loko – Oweto Bridge in Nasarawa and Benue states, New Ikom Bridge in Cross Rivers State, and Bodo-Bonny Bridge in Rivers State.

He promised that all ongoing projects shall be completed to move the country forward, stressing that the aim of the President Jonathan administration for embarking on the reform in the road sector is to make “our roads better and safer sustainably.” 

   The Rivers PDP Chairman, Felix Obua, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, commended the people for their support, solidarity and warmest reception given to President Jonathan’s Campaign Team, describing the presidential rally as the mother of all rallies.

  Obuah said the huge success recorded in hosting the President and his large entourage and the patience exhibited by PDP supporters that came from across the state have disgraced the opposition and those who had attempted to frustrate the rally.

  According to the PDP chairman, “it is now clear to the people why Governor Chibuike Amaechi had wanted to deny the PDP the use of Amasieamake Stadium”, stressing that the venue was not even enough to accommodate the large crowd.

  He however gave kudos to the surging crowd for their understanding as well as commended the security agents whom he said were overstretched in controlling the unprecedented crowd.