One Year In Office: Fubara Responding To Critics With Projects (2)

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s approach to governance in Rivers State is that of a man with conviction and sure of his footing.
Despite the obvious contending opposition and hiccups, he has demonstrated a strong capacity to govern the state with empathy, humility and self confidence. Such rare attributes  has endeared him as the man after the people’s heart, with throngs of ‘organic’ supporters and loyalists surging their way through milling crowds at the daily events to mark his one year in office to cheer up their beloved governor with deep admiration and affection.
In keeping with his mantra to put the people first, more projects were commissioned and flagged off by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his special invited  guests as a seal of commitment to good governance and delivery of democratic dividends in Rivers State last week.
On Monday, the state played host to former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan,  as Special Guest of Honour to flag off the Trans Kalabari Road at Aker Base junction, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Governor  Fubara urged the people of Rumuolumeni and Kalabari Kingdom not to sabotage but cooperate with the contractors handling the Trans Kalabari Road Project, Lubrik Construction Limited, to ensure the successful completion of the project in record time, noting that there was no better time than now for the project to be embarked on, given its economic value and importance to the lives of the people.
The Governor said his administration will not resort to borrowing but execute the landmark Trans Kalabari Road Project through Internally Generated Revenue.
He said despite the expensive nature of the project due to the difficult terrain, his administration decided to embark on it in fulfilment of the promise he made to the people of Kalabari Kingdom during his electioneering campaign, and because the project will enhance social integration and economic development in the area.
“When we went for campaign to the people of Kalabari Kingdom, we promised them that we’ll do the Trans Kalabari Road, that’s what we’re doing today. We’re a government, we’re a government, when we make promise we keep to our promise, it’s going to be expensive but we’re equal to the task”, he said.
Governor Fubara said his administration will not only focus on road projects but develop other critical sectors of the state’s economy.
In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan appreciated Governor Fubara for deciding to embark on the project and inviting him to conduct the official flag off ceremony.
He said: “it’s a big honour to come and  associate with this historic project. Only a person who has vision and commitment to develop his people can do this. There are key elements to consider in the development of a community or nation – air services, roads,  rail and the water ways. This Trans Kalabari Road will enhance social integration, economic growth and security in Rivers State.”
Dr Jonathan who commended the leadership style of Gov Fubara, said the Rivers State Governor has proved, within the short time in office, that he is  focused and ready to develop Rivers State, and called on the traditional rulers, and the youths of the beneficiary communities to cooperate with the contractors handling the project to succeed.
He expressed concern over the prevailing political situation in the state, noting that Rivers State was too strategic and critical to national development, adding that the destabilization of the state will negatively affect the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.
The former President urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and  Governor Fubara to work together to develop Rivers State.
“ We don’t want crisis in Rivers State, you must work together if you love Rivers State. Other stakeholders must ensure there’s ceasefire. If they continue to fight, Rivers people will suffer and I don’t want Rivers people to suffer. We are calling on them to embrace themselves for the interest of the state, Niger Delta and the nation”, he said.
On Tuesday, May 21, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori, was in  Egbeda Town in Emuoha Local Government Area, as Special Guest of Honour to commission  the 22.4 km Egbeda internal road project constructed by the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Addressing the massive crowd at the event, Governor Fubara stated that the turn out and support of the people towards the celebration of his one year in office is a clear demonstration of their  happiness over the achievements of his administration in four months of active governance.
He maintained that his administration was committed to cost effective service delivery in record time, and had completed full payment of the total contract sum of the internal road project.
He further declared that records of all expenditures of his administration were properly documented  for purposes of transparent leadership, noting that his administration will not relent but ensure that everyone is happy in Rivers State, and thanked the people of Egbeda for their support before, during and after the governorship elections, adding that his administration owed them the dividends of democracy for their overwhelming support.
He also thanked the contractors that handled the Egbeda internal road project, Monier Construction Limited, (MCC) for showing support to his government in the delivery of projects awarded to them in record time.
“ We’re just starting, if in only four months we can get this level of applause from the people, then Rivers people should be rest assured  that they will experience more development in the years ahead. Our concern remains the welfare of the people. There’s nothing wrong in building roads, what matters is doing it to the satisfaction of the people. What we’ve done today is to solve your flooding problem”, he said.
Governor Fubara expressed deep appreciation to traditional rulers in the state for their show of solidarity and support in the anniversary celebration.
In his remarks, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori commended Governor Fubara for his pragmatic and transformational governance in Rivers State.
He said the Egbeda internal road project bears true testimony to the building of sustainable infrastructural development in Rivers State, noting that such laudable projects will enhance the socio economic integration and wellbeing of the area and tasked the people on proper maintenance culture to avoid blocking of the drains.
Chairman and CEO of Monier Construction Limited (MCC), Senator John Mbata, in his speech, thanked Governor Fubara for giving MCC the opportunity to be part of development of critical infrastructure in the state, adding that the Egbeda internal road project signifies Governor Fubara’s love for the people as it will tackle the major challenge of flooding facing the community.
On Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23 respectfully, the Rivers State Economic Promotion and Investment Summit was held at Obi Wali Cultural Center with prominent dignitaries and and technocrats such as the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and the former Deputy Governor of the apex bank, Prof Kingsley Moghalu, as key note speakers.
Declaring the Summit open, Governor  Fubara said his administration was focused on developing all critical sectors of the state’s economy for the overall wellbeing of the people and not to dissipate on political rivalry, explaining that the essence of the summit was to provide the road map to open up and explore the economic potentials of the state for direct foreign investments.
Governor Fubara said the promising prospects of economic development in Rivers State nosedived when Companies that operated at the Trans Amadi Industrial Layer out folded up, crippling viable production activities in the state and making the state to depend majorly on allocations from Federal Government for decades.
He said his administration has, since its inception, continued to open up to partnership with the private sector and create the enabling environment for ease of doing business, with the commitment of making Rivers State the most investment friendly state in Nigeria.
Part of this commitment, the Governor explained was to eliminate the challenge of double taxation which is already yielding positive results as the state is receiving applications for expression of interests from prospective local and foreign investors.
In similar vein, Governor Fubara, at  the official flag off of the  Okania Ogbogoro, Ngbaraja road at Community Secondary School Ogbogoro, on Friday, May 24, stated that his administration will not engage in any fight with his detractors but continue to set unparalleled standards in the governance of the state by catering for basic needs and welfare of the people.
He thanked  the people of Ogbogoro and the entire Akpor Kingdom for their support before during and after the governorship elections, noting that the road project was a mark of gratitude to the people for their support.
He said the road project will lesson the pressure from the main route, improve security and the economic well-being of the people, and urged the community to cooperate with the contractors to ensure successful delivery of the project in record time, and  attract more projects to the area.
“Support us so that we continue to deliver on our promises. Stand with us and we’ll not fail you.
“We’ll not fight with them, that will be wasting our energy, we’ll set a standard that will be above them, that’ll be our style of leadership.
“Be strong, forget about what you read in the social media, we’re standing with God, and because we’re standing with God, nothing will be impossible”, he said.
The Governor particularly commended a son of Akpor Kingdom, Amb Chijioke Ihunwo, for his bold stance to support his administration in the face of threats to his life and assured that the requests made by the  people on the building of a hospital, school and internal roads will be attended to.
Governor Fubara also directed the Special Projects Office to commence the process of building a befitting Palace for the Nyeweli Akpor Kingdom, Eze Levi Oriebe.
Earlier in his address, the leader of Simplified Movement in Obio Akpor LGA, Amb Chijioke Ihunwo, thanked Governor Fubara for embarking on the road project and pledged the unalloyed loyalty and support of the people of Obio Akpor to his administration.
The activities of the one year in office for the week under review ended on Saturday, May 25, with the commissioning of the dualized Omoku – Egbema road project, at Obrikom Community.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor  Fubara  said his administration will not make unfulfilled promises to the people of Rivers State, but ensure that it lives up to its mantra of “Rivers First” by addressing the critical development challenges of the people.
“Let me first of all thank almighty God for making this day possible. When we added this project as one those to be included in our anniversary celebration, we told the contractors and they assured us of completing the project and kept to their words. I thank the contractors for that. We are here to assure our people that every part of this state will have positive impact of our administration.
“When we came to campaign here, the good people of ONELGA gave us support. My job today is to tell you thank you. We’ll not make promises that we can’t keep, we’ll make promises within our capacity to deliver”, he said.
Responding to the requests of the ONELGA people, as presented by Chief Shedrack Akaloku, Gov Fubara  directed the Rivers State Ministry of Works to immediately commence the expansion of the Omoku Egbema road to its boundary frontier, and also assured that contractors will mobilize to site within one week to complete the abandoned Omoku zonal hospital.
Governor Fubara explained that he invited former Rivers State Governor, Dr  Peter Odili, as the Special Guest of Honour to perform the project commissioning because of his statesmanship, depth of experience and understanding of governance and its impact on the people.
Addressing the people, Dr Peter Odili described Governor Fubara as a humble man of God whose life reflects the fear of God, noting that the governor had demonstrated uncommon love for the people of ONELGA and as such earned their unalloyed support.
Dr Odili further commended Governor Fubara for focusing his governance on the people, as the people remains the greatest asset of the state, and assured that Rivers people will continue to rally behind the Governor to succeed because he is trustworthy.
“The Governor, by the way, has taken full control of governance in Rivers State because governance is about the people and he’s taken the mantra; ‘People First’ and he’s demonstrating it by action. I urge you to remain focused on the people. What he’s done so far is enough to secure the support of ONELGA.
“ The greatest asset of the state remains the people, not oil and gas, especially the poor, those who are struggling to eat on daily basis. Don’t get tired, don’t be afraid because the people represent God, and when the people are with you, be assured, God is with you”, he encouraged the governor.

Taneh Beemene