Where is Mr. Project? Residents cry out over deplorable Rivers roads

Rivers State residents have since the inauguration of Governor Nyesom Wike for a second term in office been asking if the governor, popularly known as Mr. Project, is still living in the state. This is due to the overwhelming poor state of roads across the state.

Findings by The Guardian reveal that some major parts of the federal and state roads have collapsed, thereby increasing the pains and suffering of motorists and other road users.

Some of the affected areas include Ada George road by Location junction, Ikwere road by Market junction, East-West road by Nkpolu, Rukpoku by BigTreat, Rumukwurusi by Sobaz, Rumuodara by Omega House and D/Line by Okija road, among others.

The bad portion of the roads has forced many motorists, especially those plying Nkpolu and Location junction, to abandon the route for alternative ways to their destination, a situation which consumes extra time and money.

The two-lane of Nkpolu junction has completely collapsed and commercial motorists are having a field day due to the failed road.

A journey from Romokoro to Choba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, which ordinarily is N100 now goes for between N200 to N300 for taxis using alternative routes while others adopt the ‘pick and drop’ at the failed portion for N50 with commuters disembarking to trek a long distance to board another waiting taxi.

Residents face similar challenges in other failed roads across the state; the reason they are querying if Governor Wike, famed for his ‘Mr. Project’ appellation by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, is still living in the state and aware of the people’s sufferings.

When The Guardian visited some bad portions of the roads, it was observed that the situation caused severe gridlock within the affected areas.

Some car owners were seen abandoning their vehicles before the failed portion to board a taxi to their destination.

The situation, it was observed has slowed business in the state capital, as people are now scared of driving out due to the long hours spent in traffic.

In another development, criminals are taking advantage of the bad portion of the road to rob and kidnap residents, especially between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, the state Ministry of Works has announced that work would commence at the failed Location junction by Mgbuoba/Ada George road tomorrow. Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Rivers State, Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter, in a statement, informed the public that the axis of the road would be closed to traffic from August 8 till August 10, due to the commencement of rehabilitation work on the road.

He urged commuters and other roads users to use the alternative lane for the period. However, nothing has been heard about moves to repair other collapsed roads across the state.