Fubara: My Administration Committed to Delivering Strategic Projects to Improve People’s Lives

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday, said his administration was committed to delivering projects that are strategic and significant towards improving the lives of people in the state.

Fubara insisted that what his administration was doing was separate from what had happened in the past, stressing that projects’ delivery was not for mere fanfare but strategically provided to address critical development needs of the people.

The governor made the explanation yesterday, during the inauguration of the remodelled Government Girls’ Secondary School in Ahoada Town, Ahoada East Local Government Area.

Fubara stated that he inherited the school project when he assumed office on May 29, 2024, and decided to continue with the three contractors because education issue is a top priority in his administration.

He said the investment made would definitely translate into providing quality educational training for the girl-child in the area to become bold, resourceful and responsible citizens.

“So, we will not celebrate things that will not have meaning. That is why we are here today to inaugurate this school, a special school for people that are going to be mothers in this great nation.

“They are people that will be wives to great men. And if you don’t produce a quality girl-child, it means the nation is gone. So, you can see, everybody can attest that we are strategic; it is not just doing, but doing what is right.

“I assure our people that we will not do anything that we cannot stand and be proud of ourselves that we did something right,” the governor stressed.

Fubara said when he declared last Wednesday that he will be the first governor in the last eight years to deliver pro-people projects in Omuma Local Government Area, most people did not understand the import of his revelation.

He said, “I stand here to say that even if there was a project commissioned at that time (in Omuma), it was a farm road. It has no connection to anything.

“The project we are commissioning has significance, and that is what we should be talking about… We are talking about projects that will add value to the lives of the people that you have decided to govern with the support of your people.”

 The governor took a swipe at someone he described as ‘a data boy and an online dog seller’ who he said knows nothing about governance despite being close to a governor for eight years.

He wondered about the impetus of the ‘data boy’ who, reportedly, reacted to the projects delivered in Etche-Omuma, without understanding the overarching impact of the project on the people.

“On Wednesday this week, we inaugurated a project: an 11.8km Okehi-Umuola-Eberi link road. It is a road that connects Omuma and Etche local government areas.

“And we made very bold statement there to say that, very soon, we will be going to Omuma to also inaugurate another project. And we challenged them that the project we are going to commission in Omuma will be the first project that they are seeing.

“A few days later, those people who felt that the only thing that they can do to survive is social media and to sell dogs. I wonder why you will go to school, your parents will spend money, and the only profession you chose is to be a data boy and to sell dogs.

“If they love you, the appointment they gave to one boy the other day, if you were good, why didn’t they give you that appointment? Go and check yourself, something is wrong with you.

“It is not about coming on social media to abuse people; think about your life. Are you living a quality life? Even if you are asked to abuse people, at times, you should ask: what will people talk about me, knowing fully well that what I will say is not true?”

Fubara expressed appreciation to Ekpeye people for their unalloyed support to his administration in the face of harassment and intimidation.

He said that some of their traditional rulers: Eze Ekpeye Logbo, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Kelvin Anugwo; and Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi were harassed and arrested while the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Edison Ehie, was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force on trumped up charges.

“But the truth is always very clear: the enemy has time, his team cannot last forever. And I can assure you with all boldness today that they are gradually coming to an end.

“What we just need is to be patient. We have promised that our tactics will be following this process with patience and the fear of God. And we will get there.”

Fubara promised to grant the request made by the Eze Ekpeye Logbo and other traditional rulers to recognise some designated traditional stools.

He also said that when he drove on the access road during the project inspection tour, he decided to reconstruct the road, which has started and assured that with availability of funds, the remaining 1km and the bridge will be attended to.

The governor said the contract for the internal roads will be revoked and re-awarded to a competent contractor who will deliver the project in line with the mantra of the administration.

At the event, Fubara was conferred with the traditional title of ‘Eze Yawe Ugo of Ekpeye land (The King who brings happiness and joy to Ekpeye land) by the Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers.