By Onyeche Igwe
Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi recorded the following achievements as a Minister:
The resurection of the dead railway by Amaechi is another fit attained by him. New locomotives, railways, stations, etc. were bought. The construction of rail lines leading to maiduguri from Bonny has kick-started while many had been completed across the country. Today, all most all cities in Nigeria is connected to the rail lines while new rails are being constructed.
He refurbished Port Harcourt International Airport. Prior to 2015, the Port Harcourt International Airport had been in an unbearably intolerable state such that many had concluded that it was irreparable. Today, it is perfectly fitted to meet International standard and travelers can attest to this claim.
Another achievement registered is on the Port Harcourt Port, which has been bitterly criticised as a worthless and unrealistic project due to the fact that it went completely comatose in the early 2000s. Today, it can be justifiably said that the port is now blooming with life with economic activities here and there. Trucks even stretched their parking up to around the Rivers Government House entrance gate waiting to be called upon to pick up containers at the Port Harcourt Port. In more recent time, the Onne Port hosted the largest vessel ever to berth on Nigerian waters. It might also interest you to know that Maersk Shipping and Containers, MSC, Comet and General cargo shipping lines have fully returned to the port with an average of 1,599 containers every fortnight and over 20,000 MR of cargo monthly. Maersk shipping container increased by over 50 per cent.”
Amaechi pushed for the construction of Bodo-Bonny mega road with multiple bridges by the Federal Government, noting that the construction of this gargantuan project with reasonable kilometers covered has since gathered momentum.
The scope comprises the construction of a 39-kilometre road, cross culverts and two mini-bridges with a span of 23 metres each, as well as two creek bridges, Afa Creek Bridge of about 530 metres length and Nanabie Creek Bridge of about 640 metres length.
In addition to the construction of a major river bridge of about 750 metres length over the Opobo Channel, stating that the project was put at a cost of N120 billion.
Another major milestone attained by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers State is the dredging and sweeping of waterways within the Eastern Port corridor. This project was executed by the Bonny Channel Construction Company Limited.
Few days ago, it can be recalled that he, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, through the marathon support of President Mohammadu Buhari was able to complete and as well commissioned the Warri-Itakpe Rail Line. This project covers 90 per cent of the entire South-South region.
“Furthermore, approvals have been given for Bonny and Warri Deep Sea projects. This will not only serve as a tug in the heart of onlookers in Rivers State, but the South-South region in entirety.”
As a minister, Amaechi ensured that N78.9 billion spent on Federal Government roads when he was a governor was refunded by the Federal Government and received by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
