Anita Ogona
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that the Rivers State government is heavily under debt burden as contractors of already commissioned projects by the immediate past administration were still owed huge sums of money.
Governor Fubara made this revelation at the commissioning of the 10.98 kilometers Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo road in Eleme Local Government Area of the State on Tuesday.
The governor emphasized that unlike the immediate past administration, the old Bori Road being commissioned was awarded in August 2023 by his administration at the cost of N6.7 billion and has been fully paid and completed in record time.
The governor noted that he had avoided speaking on certain things but with current events he will be forced to speak out for the purpose of public records as detractors of his administration are after the State’s resources, but insists that such plummeting will not be allowed.
Sir Fubara remarked that he invited Gov. Alex Otti to commission the project as he found in him a high level of integrity and as a man who also came into government in the midst of challenges but he is impacting positively on the lives of Abia people just as he is doing in Rivers State.
He pointed out that the Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo road is a byepass that takes commuters off the East-West Road due to its deplorable state noting that the reconstructed old Bori road is in a way to assist the federal government accomplish its reconstruction work on the East-West road without hitches.
Governor Fubara who reiterated the commitment of his administration to the renewed hope policy of the Federal Government, faulted the insinuations by political dissidents in Rivers State that his administration was not in support of president Tinubu.
“I will continue to identify with good governance, I will continue to identify with those that want to better the lots of the people, we are aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda to complement the efforts of the Federal Government with good projects.”
The Governor who started his early years of career development in Eleme, thanked the people for their support to his administration and cooperation with the contractors which led to the successful completion of the project, and assured that he will execute more projects in the area.
“What you have done and what you have shown today is a sign that if we come back here to take any other project, we are protected. It means we can come anytime. And we can assure you that we are going to come back and do more projects for the good people of Eleme.”
In his remarks, the special guest of honour and the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for doing a good job in the state by providing quality leadership for the benefit of the people and for inviting him for the Commissioning of the project which was completed on record time.
Gov Otti who disclosed that he has years of robust collaboration with Governor Fubara, congratulated him for his commitment to the people of Rivers State, describing him as a man with in-depth experience in leadership that has spanned several administrations in the state.
“I have always said that leadership is a service. Anytime leadership departs from service then you are getting it wrong. And service should be to the people, not to very few interest. Anytime you are serving a few people rather than the majority you need to look at yourself again. So for me it is all about good governance.”
The Abia state State Governor said Governor Fubara came prepared to serve Rivers State as no distraction can take him from the welfare of the people and urged Rivers people to continue to support his administration.
While giving the project description, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Engineer Atemea Briggs said the road drew the attention of the state Government because of its deplorable condition as a result of over bearing pressure on it as the only alternative route to the East West Road.
He explained that the 10. 89 km road was awarded on August 14, 2023 to CCECC Nigeria limited adding that the total width of the road is 10.5m and a drainage of 10.1km, and completed on record time to alleviate the plight of the people
In his remark, the Executive Director South South Region of CCECC, Engr. Eric Chen expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for giving the company the opportunity to be part of the development of critical infrastructures in Rivers State. He thanked the people of Eleme for their cooperation, and the staff of the company for their dedication which led to the completion of the project on schedule and further assured of the commitment of the company towards maintaining standards in projects delivery in the state.
Earlier, HRM King Dr Philip Osaro Obele, One-Eh Eleme 11 had welcomed Gov Fubara to Eleme and thanked the Governor for Commissioning a road project as the first fruit of democratic dividend to Eleme.
The Royal Father also applauded Governor Fubara for appointing Eleme sons, James Ngo Chindo as Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Isaac Osaro as Board Member Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, and conferred him with the prestigious title of Emere Ajuru I of Eleme land. (King of Peace)
Also speaking, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherland, His Excellency, Oji Ngofa, welcomed the governor to Eleme for the Commissioning of the old Bori Road which was deplorable but has been reconstructed to serve not only the people but Nigerians who ply the road daily.
He commended Governor Fubara for exhibiting maturity by rising above all the provocations to deliver the dividends of democracy in Rivers State and not yielding to the desires of detractors.
The highlight of the event was the commissioning and opening of the road for public use by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
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