I’ll Not Hesitate To Shift You From Your Throne, Fubara Warns Erring Monarchs
● Says “I don’t need any letter”, reveals Ogba/Egbema stakeholders earlier chose a contractor who swallowed N12b
By PHC Telegraph
Governor Siminalayi Fubara (2nd left), Prof. Ngozi Odu, Deputy Governor, Bro Felix Obuah and Oba of Ogbaland, His Eminence, Nwachukwu Nnam Obuohna Obi during a meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The Rivers State Government has angrily warned that it will not stomach attempts by any individual or group of individuals to sabotage it.
To this end, stakeholders from Ogba-Egbema, including traditional rulers have been urged to collaborate with contractors handling government projects in their domain or face dire consequences.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara issued the warning while meeting with leaders of thought from Ogba-Egbema at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fuming, Fubara who took strong exception to moves to frustrate ongoing work on an active construction site, threatened that he would come down hard on those intent on disrupting the ongoing reconstruction of the road linking Omoku to Egbema in the Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area.
“I feel very bitter, seeing some persons, because of my calmness, are feeling they can take me for granted. If after this time, anything happens again, you will not believe what I will do.”
Fubara recalled that on the basis of the recommendation presented by stakeholders from the area, the Rivers State Government engaged a contractor (name withheld) who received about N12.7B without fulfilling his part of the bargain.
He explained that the government then cancelled the contract and re-awarded it to SETRACO in a bid to ensure it fulfilled its promise to the people.
It is thus offensive, the governor stressed, to receive threats from communities expected to benefit from the completion of the project.
“Maybe you don’t understand the powers of the state government”, Fubara remarked as he spoke to the stakeholders.
Turning attention to traditional rulers in their midst, Fubara stated, “I have the power to dethrone. And I don’t need any letter. But what is important with power is how you use it.”
Noting that he felt very bitter about the development he said, “When a group of people, irrespective of whatever prefix” is attached to their names tend to threaten government, “we need to call you to order.”
Governor Siminalayi Fubara warns against moves to sabotage his administration, says it will not be tolerated.
“I got report of a plan to stop the contractor. I got a protest letter from Ogba Egbema Peoples Forum, another from a legal firm, demanding that the Omoku-Egbema section of the road project be withdrawn from SETRACO and given to Julius Berger.
The Governor who expressed shock said, “I start wondering who gave such persons such power, to be so commanding?
“I don’t expect this from you. This project was approved for you people’s benefit. You nominated a contractor. The contractor failed. Now we re-awarded and are paying another money.
“Original cost of that job when it was awarded was N8.8Billion. It was reviewed to N13.3Billion. Total amount released at that time before the revocation was N12.7Billion, so you understand how we feel about this.
“Now we have re-awarded this job to SETRACO for N7.5Billion and we have already committed about N5.2Billion to show you our commitment.
“SETRACO is not a pushover company. To make my position clear, SETRACO will continue with this job. I expect you to give necessary support and cooperation and you have a clean road.”
“If you like to sabotage yourselves, don’t sabotage my own administration. I’m calm but I will do something you would not like.
“Everytime shouldn’t be (about) protest, condemnation or complaints. It gets to a time everyone comes together for progress of their community”, Fubara added
Oba of Ogba Land, Nwachukwu Obuohna Obi, Eze Ogba III who led the stakeholders had told the governor when he spoke that the protest of the people over the project was provoked by poor communication and engagements between the company and the communities.
A public analyst who spoke to this medium observed, “This is not a time to encourage waste. Money has already being paid to SETRACO. Will the State get the money back if it capitulates to calls to award the same road to Julius Berger?