How Fubara Is Shutting Mouths Of Members Of The Rivers Opposition Through Project Delivery
● How those after the governor’s “kidney and lungs” are learning lessons inspired by a silent revolution
By PHC Telegraph
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State exchanges views with the Obong of Calabar, a treaty king and paramount ruler of the Efiks in Cross River State who was in the State a few days ago.
Many who have climbed roof tops to proclaim without evidence that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his administration have nothing to show after one year in office are apparently in shock.
Everywhere, despite the many distractions posed by obvious disagreements between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, critical projects reflecting what is being seen as the even-handed governance style adopted by the State Government are gradually popping up across the Rivers landscape.
They are being commissioned while new projects that are intended to further develop the Rivers grassoots, facilitate connectivity and give the people a sense of belonging are being flagged off.
No less than 13 projects spread across the State have been commissioned or flagged off since Governor Fubara began showcasing some of his achievements on December 4, 2024.
Speaking at the flag-off of the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road, Governor Fubara unveiled why the present administration has chosen to embark on projects which touch the lives of the Rivers people.
“I want you to understand something today”, the Governor remarked, “It takes one who loves you to do this. In my place, the only thing that I have done is the Ring Road, which is less than N10 billion.
“The other section of the road is the Kalaibiama and the connection that we want to do in Epelema. It is also less than N21billion.
“But this government, not me, has already committed N225 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road.
Barrister Odien Ajumogobia, SAN, rubs minds with Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the flag-off of the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road.
“This government is also committing another N30.4billion for the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road.
“What is the government trying to tell you? It is telling you that the government loves you, genuinely.”
Shunning the antics of those who are taking to the social media to spread tales that are unsubstantiated , Fubara declared “no amount of social media attack” by those who worked under him would change the reality of what is taking place.
“Our love for you is pure, and our mission is to make sure that every sector, every section of this State is developed equally”, the leader of the Simplified Movement stressed.
Governor Fubara recalled that while inaugurating the Emohua-Tema Junction Road project six months ago, the Kalabari people requested him to reconstruct the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema end of the road.
“And as a government that listens and as a government that has compassion for its people, because governance is about the people, we decided to look into your request.
“It is not in our style to do flag-offs, but because of your request that you want to showcase this occasion, I granted to flag it off. If not, I won’t have been here.
“This project is a 19.7km long road. It is awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited at the cost of N30.4billion. We have already paid 30 percent of this project cost l, even at the hit of our trouble when our allocation was withheld.
“We paid N9.1billion for you to understand how we feel and how we value the Kalabari people. The contractor has assured us, it will do a good job, and I believe that before the 15 months are over, life will be different here”, the Governor disclosed.
Among the projects so far commissioned are the Okehi-Umuola-Eberi Link Road, the Remodeled Government Girls Secondary School, Ahoada, the rehabilitation of Okocha Roads and Source, the flag off of the construction of Egwi -Afara -Mba- Ndashi-Imo boundary Road and Okania – Ogbogoro, Mgbaraja and Mgbuoba Road.
Others are the Umuakali-Eberi Road, the Opobo Ring Road And Bridges, Bori Internal Roads, Kala-Ibiama section of Kala-Ibiama – Epelema Road/Bridge, as well as the commissioning of the Palace of Eze Oha Apara.
As part of efforts that are being made to carry members of the security community along, the government has commissioned a number of security surveillance gunboats for the Navy and two blocks of 12 flats each of two – bedrooms prototype residential buildings for the Nigerian Air Force.
The Fubara administration has all along avoided embracing the use of wanton publicity, prefering instead to operate noiselessly behind the scene in pursuit of its goals.
Inspite of differences which may exist, Fubara insists his administration would continue to spend Rivers money on the welfare of Rivers people.
He noted that no amount of disagreement would destroy his resolve to operate an all inclusive system that caters for all.