Port Harcourt gets first Variety Park

At last, the dream of a world-class variety park in Nigeria’s garden city has been commissioned. Governor Nyesom Wike, who laid the foundation stone at the expansive land near Bori Camp on Aba Road, has given marching orders to Julius Berger, December 2016 deadline to deliver what he named Pleasure Park.

Port Harcourt has been yearning for a centre of fun and play especially for children. The expansive Isaac Boro Park at the heart of Mile One has remained a parade ground and trade fair centre and not playground. Children of Rivers State almost solved the problem when on May 27, 2005; they placed a demand for an amusement park.

Then governor, Peter Odili, wholeheartedly approved the request and promised to deliver one to them in one year. The result was a strip of flower garden near UTC Junction with few swinging poles.

His successor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, attempted to remedy the desire when he built a garden near the flyover between Bori Camp and Airforce Junction with few huts to allow citizens relax but the narrow corner soon went under. Now, Wike has made a bold move to build what he calls the best and first in Nigeria.

A statement from Government House said this is in a move to enhance quality of recreation available to the people of Rivers State. Performing the flag-off of the construction of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Wike said he was passionate about the  project because  of  the  need to create an atmosphere  where people would relax in a secure and friendly environment.

He said after the construction of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, there would be no need for Nigerians to travel abroad  to seek leisure.

According to  him,  he chose the Julius  Berger  to construct the Pleasure  Park because  of  his commitment to  quality and  standard work.

He said: “There is no park in Rivers State since its creation in 1967. This is a special project conceptualised in my office. Having travelled around the world, I resolved to provide a place for families to unwind. Because I attach importance, the state government awarded the contract to Julius Berger.  This park will be completed and commissioned by December this year”.

The governor said after the completion of the  project,  it will be maintained  by  Julius Berger  before it will be transferred to  the private sector  for management.

In his remarks, Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Special Projects, Dum Wite, said that the Pleasure Park would provide recreational facilities for children and adults.