Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that governance has been reactivated, with major stalled projects revived across the local government areas, reaffirming his commitment to development and peace in the State.
Governor Fubara disclosed this during a meeting he held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt with traditional rulers to acquaint them with the return of governance after the emergency rule in the State.
The Governor informed the traditional rulers of the government’s efforts to reactivate stalled projects across the state, assuring them that major works, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road, hospitals, and roads, have resumed.
He emphasized that the interests of Rivers people remain paramount in all government undertakings, adding that the administration is committed to addressing any challenges facing the communities.
“My meeting with you this afternoon is to tell you that we are back. It’s not me, all of us. Government has started again. Our projects, if you are aware, most of the project sites have all reopened. The Ring Road has restarted. The hospitals are mobilized back to sites. The roads, as of today, we’ve had meetings with all the contractors. They’ve all moved back to sites.
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He acknowledged the unique position of the traditional rulers as the closest leaders to the people and the vital role they play as custodians of culture and grassroots leaders in fostering peace and driving development, and appealed to them to continue to maintain peace within their domains as a way of supporting government initiatives.
Governor Fubara pledged to respect the traditional institutions, describing them as the ancestors and pillars of the state, and assured them of continued engagement and support.
“You cannot control from Port Harcourt, living in Government House, to decide what happens in the most interior place in Kula. You might have a local government chairman; you might have a councillor, but who is the closest, who controls the sub-leaders of the families, communities that make up the big Kingdoms? It is you all here that control them. So, if we have to pray for peace, if we have to yield for development, who should be the people I should always listen to? It is you.
“You know the problem, you understand the needs of the people. So, we are appealing that we need more peace. You want us to succeed, ensure that you maintain peace in your communities. Ensure that you support the government programmes. On my own part, I will give you the respect that you deserve.”
The Governor further announced plans to fulfill pending commitments to the traditional rulers, including the provision of vehicles and other benefits according to their hierarchy, promising that these would be delivered by the end of November.
He also addressed the importance of the quarterly council meetings, urging the Council Chairman to remain apolitical and focused on promoting the collective interests of the State.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Oha Apara (IV), Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, reminisced the experience of the state and traditional rulers during the emergency rule, and expressed gratitude to God for the return of the Governor. He thanked him for the maturity and courage exhibited during the trying moment.
In their separate speeches, the Oba, Eze Ogba of Ogbaland, Eze Nwachukwu Nnam Obi, the III; the Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI; the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel; and the Eze of Omuma Kingdom, King Onyekachi Amaonwo; noted the organic support Rivers people have for the Governor, ascribing his return to God’s answer of the people’s prayers.
They noted that Rivers State is back on its feet, and urged the Governor to continue with the developmental projects that he had always put in place, and focus on youth empowerment, job creation and community development.
Saying that these are the surest foundations for enduring peace, they assured the Governor of the traditional institution’s commitment and readiness to continue to support the government’s developmental agenda.
