Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has urged Rivers women and youths to remain supportive and not see his commitment to implementing recent Supreme Court judgment as defeat over the lingering political crisis.
He disclosed this today at the commissioning of the Zonal Hospital, Bori, remodeled by his administration, also kept the people updated on how his effort to present the 2025 appropriation bill to the Speaker Martin Amaewhule led Rivers State House of Assembly was met by absence of the lawmakers earlier in the day.
He cautioned at the Bori gathering, “Our wonderful youths and women continue to be strong. At times you need to lose to win. We have not lost, because at the end of the day God will give us his own victory.
“I made all efforts to reach the Speaker. I believe he cannot deny that and other members of the Assembly. I went further to send Whatsapp messages notifying them that I will be coming by 10:00am to present the budget, so that there won’t be any reason why Rivers State should be in any fix because of me as being alleged.
“It is unfortunate when we got there this morning we were denied access and the next story I am hearing is that we didn’t communicate with them. I leave it to God who sees in secret places. I did everything to make sure the situation is sorted out today.
“But I still believe they might be instructed later and I am ready to come any day to get this particular issue sorted out. I have to bring up this because I am aware of certain reports in the media that there was no communication and that I was not complying and we are not making any effort. So here everybody can hear me and understand the situation we are facing.
“I say nothing lasts forever. Even the greatest power, one day will end. What is most important is what we do with power. I have chosen, even if I have the power, as they claim that I don’t know how to use it, I do not intend to abuse the power. Power when abused is what leads to this kind of situation we are facing. I will continue to work and operate with restraint, knowing there is life after power.”
On the significance of the project commissioned, the governor said, his administration is fulfilling an aspect of the Rivers First agenda, with the promise to provide healthcare, education, agriculture, and security which will continue to be the priority of his government.
“This facility was one of the projects initiated during the administration of Rotimi Amaechi. Somehow it was abandoned, and the immediate past administration also came in to do some work and it was not concluded.
“We came on board, felt the need to ensure that all the Zonal Hospitals not just Bori, but in Etche, Ahoada, Omoku, and in Degema were activated. The essence of this secondary facility is to reduce the pressure on the State Teaching Hospital.
He noted that when the Zonal Hospitals are properly fixed to standard, it will reduce the scrambling to get medical attention in the Teaching Hospital.
According to him, “We believe that it will be proper for this facility to be expanded and everything that is needed in a standard health facility is provided. I can tell you to the glory of God today those things are all in this Hospital.”
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, explained that Zonal Hospital, Bori, a 105-bed capacity secondary healthcare facility, “Will attract high patients traffic serving as a referral center for primary and smaller secondary healthcare facilities in Rivers South-East Senatorial District covering Andoni, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo and Tai Local Government Areas.
“It is especially important to note Your Excellency that given your attention to the health sector, health facility attendance in Rivers South-East alone has increased by nearly 60% from about 589,000 patients in 2022, to nearly 1million between 2022 and 2024.
“The governor deemed it necessary to complete this previously abandoned project, expand the initial scope and clearly demonstrate the role that quality intermediary healthcare facilities and the consideration of the welfare of health professionals play in the delivery of holistic healthcare services.”
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director, Health Management Board, Dr. Bright Ogbonda thanked Gov. Fubara for his attention to the resuscitation of the health sector, stressing that the Zonal Hospital in Bori being commissioned will provide the needed healthcare delivery services for Rivers people living within and around the environment.
He assured of the Health Management Board’s commitment to do all that is necessary to provide the best healthcare to Rivers people and appreciated the governor for making healthcare delivery services in Rivers State very simple and easy.
On her part, the Head of Local Government Administration in Khana Local Government Area, Helen Chiorlu expressed profound gratitude to the governor for completing the Zonal Hospital abandoned for several years which is a testament to the commitment of his administration to uplift and transform the living standards of the people, especially in the healthcare sector.
“Your Excellency, this hospital is not just a building but a symbol of, progress, hope, and the brighter future that we can now see and experience . It will serve the people of Khana and surrounding communities, offering world-class medical services to our people at the grassroots and significantly improving healthcare delivery in our Local Government Area.”
