Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has asserted that the success of service and project delivery achieved within his first one year in office is better than the eight years spent by some other administrations.
Governor Fubara made the assertion at Ngo Town during the official inauguration of the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road project, in Andoni Local Government Area on Saturday.
The Governor explained his assertion, saying that the accomplishments were secured within three months that his administration had actually settled down to work, given the festering political crisis.
Revealing what will be done soon in the health sector, Governor Fubara said it was appalling that recent statistics had classified Rivers State as below the set benchmark in terms of enrollments and health facilities availability.
Governor Fubara, who explained that the statistics, not specific to any particular administration’s lifespan, covered over a period of time, which indicates unacceptable level of neglect to the sector.
He, however, assured that in the next six months, Rivers people should expect to see evidence of significant investment that his administration has made to change the narrative.
He said, “I was in Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting on Wednesday, and we were given an update from the chart on medical position of all the states. It was in zones.
“You won’t believe that in that chart, everything that has to do with enrollment, even the level of facilities that is on ground in that assessment, Rivers State was classified as below benchmark. It is a pity.
“It is not something that just happened in a day. It is not something that just happened within my time in government. No, no. It is a statistics collated over a period of time. So, it means when we tell you that our target is education, healthcare and agriculture, we didn’t make any mistake.
“We might have done other things, but those key areas have not been adequately attended to. And we promise our people this afternoon that by the special grace of God, in the next six months, there will be a total change in the health sector of Rivers State.”
Commenting on the project, Governor Fubara said the project has been delivered successfully, and applauded the initiator of the project, former governor, Dr Peter Odili and successive administrations that contributed their quota in realizing the Unity Road, for the people.
Governor Fubara stated that his driving principle remains putting the people first, which is why he will not renege on the promise of internal roads that he made to Andoni people during electioneering campaigns.
The governor, therefore, directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, to liaise with Monier Construction Company (MCC) to do scoping for commencement of reconstruction of Ngo internal roads and new contract for extension of the road to Oyorokoto Town.
He said, “But, I just want to say this: what is important today is the section of the Unity Road that connects Andoni to Ogoni and Opobo/Nkoro has come to reality. That is the important thing.
“We have to thank first, the initiator, Dr Peter Odili. We have to thank other successive governments which also contributed before we finally made this day to be.
“It is important we set this record straight. The Permanent Secretary has mentioned the cost of the job and the review cost. The beauty of it is that we are not owing any dime on this particular project,” he added.
Governor Fubara said: “We are happy that it is happening in our own time. Our motto remains: ‘The People First’, and anything that has to do with the people, we must take it very seriously.
“I know that if it is this road, we are already done with the road. The politicking of the road is already done. I don’t want to politick on this road anymore.
“I want to say here that we need to develop our own, and if we have to do it, we have to do it ourselves. So, I promise my people that we are going to do more jobs, more connecting roads for the Andonis by the special grace of God.”
Governor Fubara further said: “I remember when we came for campaign, we did promise our people that when you support us, we are going to give you the internal roads. And by the special grace of God, the Andonis gave us their support, and the election was won.
“So, let me use this opportunity to thank you, first for that support. Thank you, that even after the election, you have continued to support the government, not minding the situation that we find ourselves.
“A lot of people were thinking that this place will be empty today. Some people had other plans. But to the glory of God, we are getting natural support, people that we didn’t pay money are here to say that they are identifying with this government, we appreciate what this government is doing.
“For that alone, I want to direct the Permanent Secretary to immediately liaise with the contractor to ensure first, that the internal roads in Ngo, and connecting this road to Oyorokoto is immediately awarded.”
Governor Fubara urged the people to have good faith in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, and appealed for their total support to the Federal Government so that it can continue to undertake life-changing programmes that will trickle down to the State and Local Government Areas.
He said, “I am also aware that we have issues in the other communities in Andoni. Some of them are flooding issues, which is even the more critical issue.
“I know of a place called Oronija. They are having very serious erosion and flood issues, and other places. We are going to do something about it. It is my promise to my dear people today.
“I also want to say in this gathering, please, support the government at the centre. I am happy when our leader was mentioning the activities of the oil companies here, and said that there is no interruption. I was impressed by that.
“It shows that we are contributing positively, and we understand the meaning and importance of peace. So, let me enjoin you: continue to show this good faith, and be a good host.
“In the governance of this country, the success of the centre is the success of the sub-national. And when the sub-national succeeds, which is the state, the local governments will succeed. And when the local governments succeed, it means, more projects, more life-changing activities will be seen in your domain.”
Governor Fubara said further: “I also remember that another vital area that we need to touch in our governance was mentioned: the issue of hospitals. We are coming here, and we will make sure that we attend to that need.”
In his welcome address, the member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante, said the road is less than 30Km long but regrettably took three different contractors: Rivigo Construction Company; RAFFOUL Nigeria Limited; and eventually Monier Construction Company (MCC); to deliver it after 24 years.
Abiante explained that this was the first time, since the dawn of the current democratic dispensation, that the Andoni people will gather for an inauguration of a development project within Ogbolo land.
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for making it happen, and remarked that more critical infrastructure projects were needed in the area to place the people in good position to be part of activities in the blue economy sector, whose potentials abound in the area.
Abiante, who expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for accomplishing the feat and making it possible for them to drive on land from the city to their various communities, assured that the people will work to ensure the success of his administration.
Also speaking, former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, said it was important to explain that the Unity Road, initiated by Dr Peter Odili, had its inaugural foundation stone laid on the 3rd January, 2005, and not in 2004.
Prince Secondus thanked Governor Fubara for completing the project, which now serves as a miracle, enabling the people to drive on land to Andoni from the city.
Providing the description of the project, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Engr Atemea Briggs, said the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni/Opobo Unity Road project is 27.5Km long, 7.3 meters width size, and has side drains of 2.5Km in length.
Engr Briggs emphasised that the project, which was re-awarded on July 13, 2023, by Governor Fubara to MCC, had the contract sum reviewed from N9.984billion to N11.1billion because of escalation of prices of materials and petroleum products.
“Many of us know the story of this road, but it took the bold step of His Excellency to finally deliver the road that the Andoni people have long yearned for.
“The road project was initially handled by RAFFOUL Nigeria Limited until July 13, 2023. At that time, the project was re-awarded to Monnier Construction Company, MCC by His Excellency to ensure its speedy completion.
“The original contract sum of the project was N9.984billion, but was later reviewed upward to N11.1billion due to fluctuation and escalation of the prices of working materials and petroleum products. This contract has been fully paid and completed for commissioning today.
“This road is 27.5kilometers long, and it has the width of 7.3 meters. The asphalt thickness, you can see, is 100 millimeters; that is made up of 60 millimeters of binder course, and 40 millimeters of asphaltic wearing course.
“It has side drainages within the community, totaling 2.5kilometers long. It has side case totaling 12.6 kilometers, and a bridge of 3 spans of 20, 20, 20 meters long being a total of 60 meters.
“Today marks a special occasion as this road stands as a significant gift to the Andoni people. It fulfills His Excellency’s promise and commitment to deliver it within his first year in office. Now, that promise has become a reality, delivered within a record time of 5 months”, he added.
While presenting the traditional kola nuts, the chiefs of Andoni, led by the Okan-Ama of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru, conferred on Governor Fubara, the Njenyisi 1 of Ogbolo Land (meaning the champion of development of the people).