Mr George Tolofari, a former Commissioner for Transport in Rivers, on Tuesday urged the Rivers Government to partner the Federal Government in initiating development projects in the state.
He spoke against the backdrop of the alleged refusal of the state government to use Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Finima, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers, for the flag off of the Bonny-Bomu Road project on Thursday.
Tolofari told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the refusal was “ unfortunate and unpatriotic.’’
He said the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), however, had decided to use Shell Gate in Bonny where the road would terminate as venue for the inauguration.
“No development conscious state government will play politics with development of its citizens, especially when it has to do with construction of an important economic road.
“I expect the Rivers government to partner with the Federal Government in ensuring that every developmental project proposed for the state is carried out without hindrance.
“The politics of talking about seeking approval from the Ministry of Education to use the slated venue for the flag-off is quite unfortunate and unpatriotic,” he said.
According to Tolofari, the planned flag off of the construction of the Bonny-Bomu road by the Federal Government will fast-track development in the area.
“This decision has opened the gateway for economic growth and diversification of the economy of Bonny and its environs.
“With this laudable commitment President Muhammadu Buhari has made, there will be a drastic reduction in boat mishaps which have taken the lives of countless people, old and young.
“People have refused to come here to engage in meaningful businesses for the benefit of those in the region and Nigeria at large.
“This is for the fear of losing their lives and properties to pirates or boat mishaps,” added.
Tolofari, an indigene of Bonny, said the opening up of the area coupled with uninterrupted power supply would boost the economy of the area.
“I’m very sure that the improvement in the economy of our homeland will know no bounds,” he added.
The former commissioner and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress commended Buhari for keeping to the party’s campaign promise to construct the road.
He also pleaded with the president to give attention to the NLNG Train 7 project aimed at boosting the economy.