Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, has noted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has taken full control of governance in the State, saying that the governor is presently focusing on the people in line with his chosen mantra: ‘People First’.
Dr Odili made the assertion on Saturday, while performing the inauguration of the dualised Omoku-Egbema Road project, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of the state.
Thanking Governor Fubara for the project delivered in the area, Dr Odili urged him to remain focused on the people, giving succour to the less-privileged and hope to those who do not have anyone to help them go through life’s challenges.
“I can tell our people that the next election is very far, but what the Governor has done so far, is enough to secure the support of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area going forward.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, because the greatest assets of the State remain the people, not oil and gas. The people remain the greatest assets.
“So, once your focus remains with the people, especially the less-privileged, the poor, those who are struggling to feed everyday. Once they remain your focus, I want to agree with you that the sky would become the takeoff point of your administration,” the former Governor said.
Dr Odili assured that the people of Rivers are behind Governor Fubara, “rallying support for him because they trust him, believing in what he says and convinced that he means whatever he says”.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara, has declared that the delivery of development projects and social services by his administration will not be politicised as they are geared towards solving pertinent needs faced by the people of the State.
The Governor explained that while every human and societal challenges cannot be solved in one swoop, every promise made would be fulfilled within available resources and delivered on schedule.
Governor Fubara said, “When the project was added to the list of projects to mark our one year in office, there was a challenge, but the contractor assured of delivering it, which is a reality today.
“What are we doing today? We are here to tell our people that they are the most important thing to us. We are here to assure you that every part of this State will have positive impact of our administration.”
Governor Fubara further said: “If within this short period, we could deliver this to our people who were yearning for this road, crying and complaining, it is a sign that this government has the interest of the people of ONELGA at heart.
“So, I want to assure you: don’t let anybody deceive you anywhere. This is the right boat to join. The captain of this boat, his own mantra is ‘The People First’. So, I assure you, with your support, the sky is our beginning.”
Governor Fubara said it would be improper for him not to appreciate the people of ONELGA because the campaigns leading his election kick-started in the area where their support was solicited.
He noted that they lived up to the commitment of giving electorial support, giving the required votes that had enabled his team to be where they are today in Government.
Governor Fubara explained the reason for inviting former Governor Odili, to perform the inauguration, saying: “This is not politics. This is giving back to our people. So, I want somebody who understands the need of our people, and what we are doing to come and speak to our people.
“I want somebody who has the direct interest of this LGA at heart to come and speak to his people, so that we will understand that when we are in position, what is important is not self, what is important is the people.”
Providing the description of the road, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Engr Atemea Briggs, said: “The 21.6Km dual carriageway project was awarded to Sectraco Nigeria Limited on April 28, 2023, by the previous administration at the sum of N7.597billion but without funding. It has 7.3meters carriageway on both sides and 8.2Km length of drains.
“Before the award of this contract, this road had been abandoned for many years. The current administration led by our hardworking Governor Siminalayi Fubara approached the project with great determination and passion, and as a result, mobilisation was paid to the contractor and the contractor started work in July, 2023.
“The scope of the project changed and due to the prevailing inflation rate, an additional N5.47billion was added to the contract, bringing the total value of the contract to N13.07billion”.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
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