Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has revealed that his administration has never borrowed to deliver projects in the state owing to their prudent management of their resources.
He also declared that his administration will continued to achieve great feat in project delivery despite plots by his political foes to starve the State of funds.
The Governor who disclosed this yesterday during the commissioning of the reconstructed 11.8km Okehi-Umuola-Eberi Road linking Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas of the State, said his administration has exhibited prudence in the management of available resources for the delivery of projects without borrowing.
“Today we are starting to showcase what we have done in those periods when people were asking what we were doing with the funds. I am happy to say here that we have never borrowed, I stand to be challenged.”
According to him, “This administration has never borrowed, the only money we borrowed was the one we used for the ring road and everybody was aware of it.Visit the Debt Management Office and check if we have asked for anything. We don’t need it.”
The Governor also proved his relentless critics and detractors wrong stating that the Okehi- Umuola-Eberi road was among several projects delivered by his administration within a short period without noise making.
“We are taking this project as our first activity for showcasing what we have been doing while we don’t make noise. Showcasing what we are doing while they are all battling to starve us of fund. We were here about 5 months ago when we came to inspect the extent of job ongoing in Omuma.”
“I stand to be corrected, Omuma for more than 8 years has not witnessed any project, it was our administration that awarded the Omuakali-Mbiri Road, and the road is almost completed. When we came I said how can we be going to commission a project and the access road is bad.”
” I said no matter the cost, we must ensure that the access road to Omuma is properly fixed so that when we are going to Omuma to commission the project it will be an easy and smooth drive. What we are therefore doing today is a prelude to the occasion, the main occasion will be at Omuma.”
Gov. Fubara commended the contractors for quick and quality delivery of the project, and the beneficiary communities for their support while assuring that more projects will be delivered in the area.
” I have to also say that the contractor didn’t disappoint us. Even when we are struggling to meet the basic needs of the government. What are the basic needs of governance? Protect the lives of your people and their property, as well as provide services.”
“While they were working to make sure that we can’t provide services we have to starve. We are determined to make sure that our people are happy and we said whatever it will cost us, we must make sure that we do this. So, I am happy the contractor didn’t disappoint us. I am also happy that the community, the two LGAs gave us the needed support”
He charged his teeming supporters in Etche and Omuma LGAs to keep faith with the ideals of his administration as he will not betray the trust of the people.
“Let me thank everyone especially our wonderful supporters. Let me assure you that this is just the beginning. We did not forget the issue of the General Hospital. Not just General Hospital, but the completion of the Zonal Hospital, we are going to do it.”
Governor Fubara dissociated himself from vindictive politics, stating that his administration is concerned about how to render services to Rivers State in its entirety without recourse to political interests or partisan affiliation.
“Politics is not about being wicked or vindictive. It is for service to the people, it doesn’t matter which party is in charge. I am not the governor of PDP, I am the governor of Rivers State, so I owe everyone the responsibility of caring, providing and protecting.”
He noted that what is important is that the little his administration is earning is being applied rightly for the benefit of the people, stressing, “You are aware of the situation that while we were having difficulties with money, we paid salary, not just paying, but we implemented above N70,000 minimum wage. It is shows Commitment and love for our people”
While thanking the people Gov. Fubara assured that he is focused on delivering good governance, promising, “we are not going to fail you because you have taken too many risks for us. We must ensure that we make you proud.”
The Governor charged security agencies to ensure that they provide adequate security to enable the commuters to enjoy the road.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-amadi, explained that the road was deplorable before the governor awarded the project for its construction.
He said: “Before now the road was quite deplorable and a nightmare. It has about 8.5kilometers of drains which are fully functional in the built up areas.
In his welcome address the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. Dr Uzodinma Nwafor commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara describing him as God-sent for embarking on developmental projects across Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas.
He said the road being commissioned was at a time deplorable and nightmare to the people before the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara reconstructed it.
Hon. Nwafor further appealed for the reconstruction of the Etche-Omarelu end of the road to further connect the local government to Ikwerre Local Government Area as well as the renovation of the General hospital and the completion of the Zonal Hospital in the area.
