It may not be out of place to infer that all politicians are the same especially when it has to do with guarding and fostering their political ambition or interest.
Some schools of thought also hold that politicians hardly give gifts that are tied to nothing. There must be political capital to be harvested from every act of generosity from a typical politician.
In a matter of days, we shall wave goodbye to the year 2024 and step into 2025. By then we will just be looking at 2027 for another cycle of elections in a matter of two years
So from next year, the antennae of every political actor, whether already in an elective position or seeking to vie for one, would rise sharply and be very sensitive to all stimuli. All kinds of nocturnal meetings would intensify and continue to gather momentum until 2027 finally dawns.
In Rivers State, it promises to be gritty and energy-sapping. It is only the politically naive that would expect anything less.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom many see or believe to be yet politically unseasoned, could take people by surprise and prove many bookmakers wrong.
The Governor has been toughened by the crucible which he has been made to inadvertently pass through, and he appears to be learning fast from it.
Having found himself surrounded by unrepentant hungry wolves, the Governor has cleverly turned to the people and has forged a refrain, ‘ The people first, administration! By this, he means that every step of his administration is being dictated by the overwhelming interest of the people.
There is no place where the Governor has demonstrated this great attachment to welfarism like in the Kalabari axis of the state.
Some time this year, Governor Fubara flagged off the construction of the multi-billion naira Trans-Kalabari Road, which previous administrations in the state had avoided like a plague.
The project awarded to the construction giant Julius Berger, at a whopping cost of N225 billion, was ceremonially flagged off by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who had applauded the courage and determination of Governor Fubara in carrying out such an ambitious project.
On Friday, Governor Fubara returned to the same Kalabari Land with another ambitious project, the reconstruction of the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road project in Asari-Toru Local Government Area but at the cost of N30.4billion.
The project is designed to connect 9 communities spread into the three Kàlabari local government areas of Asari Toru, Akuku Toru and Degema with seven bridges.
At the ceremony, Governor Fubara averred that he is propelled by strong conviction and genuine love for Rivers people to develop all sections of the State equally, which is why N30.4 billion has been voted again to execute the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road project for the Kalabari people.
Governor Fubara said his administration has undertaken projects that previous administrations had shown lack of courage and political will to embark on, to demonstrate that he does not want to deny any section of the State requisite projects that will have far-reaching impact on the people.
The Governor stated that the nature of projects already accomplished and those still being executed, though very expensive, attest to the inclusive policy thrust of his administration, adding: “I want you to understand something today. It takes one who loves you to do this. In my place, the only thing that I have done is the Ring Road, which is less than N10 billion. The other section of the road is the Kalaibiama and the connection that we want to do in Epellema. It is also less than N21billion.
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“But this government, not me, has already committed N225 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road. This government is also committing another N30.4 billion for the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road. What is the government trying to tell you? It is telling you that the government loves you, genuinely. So, no amount of social media attacks from those who worked under me, that I don’t want to say the kind of terrible things they did, will change that. Our love for you is pure, and our mission is to make sure that every sector, every section of this State is developed equally.”
Commenting on the project, Governor Fubara explained that it was about six months ago when the Emohua-Tema Junction road project was being inaugurated, that Kalabari people requested his gracious consideration to reconstruct the axis of the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road.
That request, Governor Fubara stated, has been considered, and responded to because of the pro-people administration policy that is being implemented, adding to the fact that he listens, full of compassion and cares for them.
Governor Fubara said: “And as a government that listens and as a government that has compassion for its people because governance is about the people, we decided to look into your request. And by the special grace of God, today, it is not in our style to do flag-offs, but because of your request that you want to showcase this occasion, I granted to flag it off. If not, I wouldn’t have been here.
“This project is a 19.7km long road. It is awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited at the cost of N30.4billion. We have already paid 30 percent of this project cost l, even at the hit of our trouble when our allocation was withheld. We paid N9.1 billion for you to understand how we feel and how we value the Kalabari people. The contractor has assured us that it will do a good job, and I believe that before the 15 months are over, life will be different here.
“Issues of criminality along the bad section of the road will be a thing of the past, and maybe, other development will also come into your kingdom,” he added.
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will ensure the people get a fair share of the commitment that will be made to improving healthcare, provision of quality education, and enduring opportunities that will avail them chains of economic empowerment, and promised to consider the request made by the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Town, King Disrael Gobo Bobmanuel, to reconstruct the Ifoko-Tema bridge because of its importance to the connectivity of the two neighbouring communities.
He said, “So, let me thank you again for your support. Let me assure you that other aspects of your demand: healthcare, education and empowerment, will continue to be on the top burner of this government. For many of our supporters, I know they will ask you: what have you gotten? It is not about feeding you with a feeding bottle; it is about giving you something that will last for a long time. So, we will continue to do those things that will give you better opportunities.”
