Take Ownership Of Dev Projects, Ibas Urges Rivers Residents …Calls for Collective Responsibility in Safeguarding Public Infrastructure

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has called on residents to take active responsibility in safeguarding and effectively utilising government projects designed to enhance their socio-economic well-being.

The Administrator made the appeal during an inspection tour of key state facilities on Saturday, including the Rivers Cassava Processing Company Limited on the Afam/Ban-Ogoi link road in Oyigbo Local Government Area, and the Rumu-Woji Mile One Market in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.

This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo in Port Harcourt, last Friday.

Accompanied by the General Manager of the Rivers Cassava Processing Company, Mr. Temple Chijioke, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Wakama Boma, the Administrator assessed the state of the facilities and expressed concern over their underutilisation and state of disrepair despite significant government investment.

“If there are issues causing these facilities not to function optimally, we as a people must take ownership and ensure their protection because they belong to us,” Ibas stated.

He emphasised that rehabilitating neglected infrastructure would divert funds from other critical development needs, urging residents to adopt a proactive approach in preserving public assets.

The Administrator pledged immediate attention to urgent repairs while reiterating the importance of community partnership in maintaining projects meant to drive employment, wealth creation, and overall development across the state.

He called on stakeholders, including local leaders and beneficiaries, to collaborate with the government in ensuring the sustainability of these initiatives for the collective benefit of Rivers State.