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Support Of Rivers People Emboldens Us -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that one of the greatest and propelling reassurances emboldening his administration is the enormous support that Rivers people have continued to give unreservedly.
The Governor emphasised that such support has continued to be exemplified by the words, actions and pledges of loyalty and solidarity from royal fathers and other well-meaning people in the State.
Governor Fubara made the remarks during the post-election solidarity visit by members of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council (RSTRC), led by their Chairman, His Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The Governor said that even if he knows of their support for his administration with what they had been doing in their domains, their visit provides a physical declaration that they are ready shoulders to lean on.
Governor Fubara stated: “Your coming to see us this afternoon is a reassurance that we are not standing alone.
“We have the Royal Fathers who control all the villages, and the communities, which make up the Rivers State, on our side. So, what else do I need to say? What else do I need to showcase to the world that we have the support of Rivers people?
“You are the Rivers, you are the leaders, you are the Kings, and you are the chiefs. You are the ones that control the locals that make up the entire State. So, I say thank you for coming to reassure this administration that you have our back.”
Governor Fubara stated the resolve of his administration never to engage in any acts of disrespect to the traditional institution in the State.
This is because, he emphasised, they are royal fathers who should serve as a uniting force for all their subjects, contribute to keeping Rivers State peaceful and ensure its progress.
He said, “I will assure you that as a government, we will continue to respect this institution. We will not do anything within our powers directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly to undermine any of you.
“If we have wronged you in any way, let me say, I’m sorry to you here. But I don’t think we will wrong you deliberately because you are our fathers,” he added.
Governor Fubara also commented on the just- concluded local government elections on the 5th October, 2024, which were largely peaceful and successful.
He said: “Election has come and election has gone. It is only God that made it possible. It is not myself, neither our calculations. It is God that made it work that way. So, we return all thanks to God and God alone.”
Governor Fubara also approved the release of official vehicles to the traditional rulers, directing the Secretary to the State Government to work with the monarchs to ensure that those who need the cars get theirs and those who need cash in its place will get what they want.
In his address, the Chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council (RSTRC), His Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, said the Council, in an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024, reviewed some incidents in the State, and decided on the solidarity visit to the Governor.
The chairman, who is also the Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, said they considered the solidarity visit necessary to avail them the opportunity to speak to Rivers people, politicians, their supporters as well as non-indigenes in the State who are fanning the embers of war in Rivers from their self location outside the State.
He stated that in the past one year, the administration of Governor Fubara has committed the resources of State into necessary critical, physical infrastructure and human capital development projects.
Eze Wodo said: “The Council also noted with satisfaction, the government’s investment in the security of lives and property as evident in the equipment of the Nigeria Police and other security apparatuses for optional functionality.
“Members of Council wish to appreciate His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, for the peaceful manner in which he handled the political challenges created in the State by some disgruntled elements before, during and after the October 5, 2024 local government elections.
“The Council also commended residents of the State for listening to the Governor’s message of peace, and for being each other’s keeper during the just-concluded local government election, which was adjudged to be very peaceful even without security cover from the Nigerian Police.
“In view of the fore-going success stories, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has passed a vote of confidence on His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, and further stated Council’s resolve to continue to support the Governor in all his programmes and policies throughout his tenure.”
Eze Wodo also said that the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers is not happy with some unpatriotic but prominent sons and daughters of the State who are instigating and funding violence in the State.
He noted that as members of the Council, they had witnessed, sadly, some of the acts of violence perpetrated in the State in recent weeks, which were carried out in broad daylight while the security agencies looked the other way.
He said: “The Rivers State Council Traditional Rulers while thanking His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his stance of peace in Rivers State, call on him not to allow any person or group of persons to use his good name as a cover to continue to cause trouble in Rivers State.
“The President should not allow himself, his body language or those exercising part of the powers that flow from his Office to be seen as taking part in the seemingly unending political crises in Rivers State.
“The President should do everything necessary to keep Rivers State at peace in the interest of the nation. Let me at this point, once more, appeal to all parties to sheath their swords and work for peace, unity and prosperity of Rivers State because we have no other place to call home except Rivers State.”
In his speech, the Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Engr Charles Amadi, noted that the royal fathers are enormously delighted with the successes of the local government election in the State without police presence, which was free and fair.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.