Rivers State Governor has charged members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions to be fair in their investigation as they round off their assignment in the state.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara gave the charge while receiving in audience members of the Committee at Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The governor said it is normal for people to seek redress and fight for their rights when they feel trampled upon and urged members of the committee that in doing their work they should be fair and just to all.
“So, I will urge you to do your investigation properly and let your findings be as a result of your thoroughness.”
He said that some petitions may be frivolous because the petitioners want to extort money from multinational companies, but that it will require proper investigation of the committee to identify and separate such frivolous petitions from genuine ones.
“God has placed you in this position today for a purpose and it is to defend may be the oppressed in the course of seeking justice. That is why you are there, defend what is right and when one is wrong say it with boldness.”
Governor Fubara further informed members of the committee that Rivers State is peaceful in spite of the negative pictures being painted by detractors about the state, stressing that it takes a peaceful leader to also bring an aura of peace.
“Leadership and respect in leadership is not earned by force, it is your style that brings respect and order. And what we are doing is to respect our people and in turn our people are giving us that support for leadership.”
“So, I am happy that you are here and when you get back, tell people your own story that Rivers State is moving forward. Don’t mind what you read on social media.”
While addressing the political situation in the state, the governor emphasized that he remains focused even with the pressure and that he is determined to keep moving the state forward.
“That is why we are making a positive impact on the lives of our people. Governance is about the people, not about self. It is about touching those people that you are leading. And we are doing that.”
Sir Fubara pointed out that it is in touching lives that his administration initiated the N4billion credit line for the businesses of over 3,066 persons which is meant to transform the economy of the state.
“That is touching the lives of our people. It is not supporting for selfish reasons. It is not giving contract because I want the person to fight someone in my community. It is to empower the people for prosperity.”
The governor reiterated that no matter the antics of detractors, he will not lose focus as he is committed to leaving an enduring legacy of making the state better as that is the only thing posterity will remember him for.
He assured that his government will not oppress anybody or intimidate anyone as such actions can easily fade away at the appropriate time
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for remaining focused in delivering quality leadership to Rivers people despite political distractions.
He said they were in the state to attend to some public petitions on environmental violations involving some multinational companies operating in the Trans Amadi area as well as Indorama. The chairman further declared the support of the committee for the governor for his peaceful disposition that has helped propel development in the state.
