Given his track record in emplacing people-oriented developmental footprints in in his domain, the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Akuro Tobin has been described as a good student of the Governor Nyesom Wike’s tutelage.

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Desmond Akawor said said this on Friday, April 21, 2023 during the commissioning of the Okrika Ultra-Modern Market in Ibaka Town, Okrika LGA.

He stated that contemplating and implementing projects that add value and scale up the living standards of the people is a statutory function of government, commending the Okrika LG Chairman for his performance, attributing it to his diligent following in the Governor’s footsteps.

“From what we’re seeing here, it is obvious that he is following in the footsteps of the Executive Governor as his Principal. What we are witnessing today is just a clear story that a lion cannot produce a goat.”   

He applauded the Chairman for providing a platform for growth where everybody will benefit, pointing out that “this is a place that will touch the rich and the poor, the mighty and the down trodden. It is a market that hardworking people will get and grow wealth”.

Speaking, the lawmaker representing Okrika Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Linda Stewart extolled the Akuro Tobin led administration in the LGA for embarking on such a huge project, saying that the ultra-modern market is not a market but a house of wealth where people will harness, amass, and grow wealth.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Deinma Iyalla described the market and other projects as “visionary projects,” asserting that “I misjudged Akuro, I never knew you are this visionary”.

In his remarks, the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Allwell Ihunda, who was accompanied by his Asari-Toru, Degema, Ogu/Bolo and Opobo LGA counterparts, Onengiyeofori George, Michael Williams, Vincent Nemieboka and Enyiada Cookey-Gam, respectively, hailed their Okrika LGA colleague for the project.

He expressed the hope that the project will bring about a change in the lives of the people, positing that “it’s a project that will impact on the wellbeing of the people of Ibaka and, by extension, Okrika; our women and men who will be trading here will earn their living from this project”.

In his remarks, the Okrika LGA Chairman, Akuro Tobin thanked the guests for honouring the occasion, stating some of the projects are ongoing, promising to do more, expressing his gratitude to the State PDP Chairman for standing by him and encouraging him to follow in the footsteps of the State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Dignitaries at the event included a former Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Water Corporation, Ibibia Walter,  and Sekuro of Niger Delta and Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty; King Ateke Michael Tom, Eze Egberi IX of Egberi Kingdom, His Royal Majesty; King Onyekachi Amaowu, Amanyanabo of Kirike, His Royal Majesty, Air Commodore Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo Ogube (rtd), Ogube I, Perekune Kingoli I, Chairman of Ibaka Town Council of Chiefs, Chief D.D.G Oforibo-Balaka, and a former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, amongst others.

Earlier, the Director of Works in Okrika LG Council, Love Nwokoba had informed the market had a security house, 26 lock-up shops, 104 open shops, a market master’s office, water facility, and solar energy to supply power to the market.

The reconstructed and furnished Chairman’s Guest House in the Council’s Secretariat was later commissioned by Ibibia Walter, who is also a former Chairman of the LGA.