Gov Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, has revealed his administration’s resolve not to yield to blackmail rather would work for the development of the State.
Fubara disclosed this while addressing the Independence Day Parade to commemorate the 64th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria at the Government House Parade Ground, Port Harcourt today.
The Governor thanked Rivers people and Nigerians across the country for their support and standing with his government on the side of courage, truth and justice from inception till date.
He restated that with an unalloyed commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and good governance, as well as working together for the common interest, they can collectively overcome all the challenges and prevail over the enemies of progress.
According to him, “This is truly what and who we are, and we should all be proud and thankful that God has endowed us with all that we need to build a great nation where no one is oppressed, and all can live in peace and plenty.”
The governor called on the people to join hands in working with the Federal Government to tackle the economic, social, and political challenges, including judicial terrorism, nepotism, corruption, and abuse of power, that have diminished the country’s democracy, stifled the economic growth, and caused untold hardship to the people.
While congratulating Nigerians on the Independence Day anniversary, Gov. Fubara emphasised that the nation’s leaders, past and present, have kept on doing their best to keep the country together and advance the progress and well-being of the citizens, but the country still totters amid diverse challenges, including widespread human insecurity, after 64 years of self-rule, with prevailing economic hardship that has made life more difficult for most Nigerians.
“But, despite, the economic hardship and social ills bedevilling our nation and stifling its progress, we still have good reasons to celebrate and be grateful to God as a nation and people.”
He pledged to ensure the safety and security of lives and property and guarantee equal social and economic opportunities for all residents of Rivers State.
“Our faith and strength are in God who will enable us to continue to promote, protect, and defend the political, social and economic interests of our dear state at all costs.”
He assured that his administration will never compromise on its commitments to delivering the dividends of democracy and good governance to the citizens of Rivers State.
“We will complete the Port Harcourt Ring road, the Ikwerre-Emohua-Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni dual carriageway, and all other ongoing road projects on schedule. We will also deliver the N225-billion Trans-Kalabari road before the end of our first tenure.”
Gove. Fubara said beside infrastructure his government is giving considerable attention to education with the rehabilitation of schools, provision of educational materials, implementation of 65-year teachers’ retirement age, and approval for the recruitment of more teachers in line with the recommendations of the Needs Assessment Committee Report.
“Work is progressing in the completion of the Zonal Hospitals at Ahoada, Bori, Degema, Omoku, and the General Hospital at Bonny. Work has also started on the new General Hospital, Rumuigbo and the new ultra-modern Psychiatric Hospital, also at Rumuigbo.”
“Our efforts in healthcare manpower development have resulted in the full accreditation of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for six special programmes, including surgery, plastic reconstruction surgery, urology, radiodiagnosis, and orthopaedics from the West African College of Surgeons.”
The governor noted that his administration has made considerable improvements in internal revenue generation and set up the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency to drive the industrialization of the State to create jobs and generate more economic opportunities and revenues for citizens and the State.
He also said the administration is committed to agriculture for food security, job creation, and empowerment and other areas of interest including transportation, youth skills development, the blue economy, and micro, small, and medium enterprises development, are areas to receive urgent attention.
Gov. Fubara commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold, dynamic and pragmatic economic reforms, which are targeted at correcting the structural deformities of the past and ushering in a new vista of sustainable economic growth and prosperity of the country.
The governor declared the unalloyed loyalty and support of the Government and people of Rivers State to the Federal Government and reaffirm the commitment of the State to the unity and progress of Nigeria as one indivisible nation.
“We will continue to support and work with the Federal Government and the security agencies to advance the security and well-being of all citizens, protect national economic assets and guarantee the security and smooth operations of local, national, and multinational companies and investments in our state.”
Gov. Fubara appreciated the security agencies especially the Nigerian Armed Forces for their bravery, services and sacrifices in the defence of the nation’s freedom, unity and security of the nation, and further applauded the Police, the Department of State Services, and other Security Agencies for their sacrifice and contributions to internal peace, security, and stability in the country.
