In one year, my administration has done better than other Rivers Gov’s eight year: Fubara

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has said that the success of service and project delivery in his first year in office is better than some other administrations’ eight years.

Fubara made the statement on Saturday at Ngo Town during the inauguration of the Andoni segment of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road project in Andoni LGA.

The governor explained his assertion, saying that the accomplishments were secured within three months that his administration had settled down to work, given the festering political crisis.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi.

Revealing what will be done soon in the health sector, Fubara said it was appalling that recent statistics classified the state as below the set benchmark regarding enrollments and health facilities availability.

The governor explained that the statistics, not specific to any particular administration’s lifespan, covered a period, indicating unacceptable neglect of the sector.

He, however, assured all that in the next six months, Rivers people should expect to see evidence of the significant investment that his administration has made to change the narrative.

He said, “I was in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum meeting on Wednesday, and we were given an update from the chart on the medical position of all the states. It was in zones.

“You won’t believe that in that chart, everything that has to do with enrollment, even the level of facilities that is on the ground in that assessment, Rivers State was classified as below benchmark. It is a pity.

“It is not something that just happened in a day. It is not something that just happened during my time in government. No, no. It is a statistic collated over a period of time. So, it means when we tell you that our target is education, healthcare and agriculture, we didn’t make any mistake.

“We might have done other things, but those key areas have not been adequately attended to. And we promise our people this afternoon that by the special grace of God, in the next six months, there will be a total change in the health sector of Rivers State.”

Commenting on the project, Fubara said the project has been delivered successfully, and applauded the initiator of the project, former governor, Dr Peter Odili, and successive administrations that contributed their quota in realising the Unity Road for the people.

The governor stated that his driving principle remains putting the people first, which is why he will not renege on the promise of internal roads that he made to the Andoni people during electioneering campaigns.

The governor, therefore, directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, to liaise with Monier Construction Company (MCC) to do scoping for the commencement of reconstruction of Ngo internal roads and a new contract for the extension of the road to Oyorokoto Town.

He said, “But, I just want to say this: what is important today is the section of the Unity Road that connects Andoni to Ogoni and Opobo/Nkoro has come to reality. That is the important thing.

“We have to thank first, the initiator, Dr Peter Odili. We have to thank other successive governments which also contributed before we finally made this day.

“It is important we set this record straight. The Permanent Secretary has mentioned the cost of the job and the review cost. The beauty of it is that we are not owing any dime on this particular project,” he added.

Fubara added, “We are happy that it is happening in our own time. Our motto remains: ‘The People First’, and anything that has to do with the people, we must take it very seriously.

“I know that if it is this road, we are already done with the road. The politicking of the road is already done. I don’t want to politick on this road anymore.

“I want to say here that we need to develop our own, and if we have to do it, we have to do it ourselves. So, I promise my people that we are going to do more jobs, more connecting roads for the Andonis by the special grace of God.”

He urged the people to have faith in the administration of President Bola Tinubu and appealed for their total support to the Federal Government so that it can continue to undertake life-changing programmes that will trickle down to the State and Local Government Areas.

He said, “I am also aware that we have issues in the other communities in Andoni. Some of them are flooding issues, which is the more critical issue.

“I know of a place called Oronija. They are having very serious erosion and flood issues and other places. We are going to do something about it. It is my promise to my dear people today.

“I also want to say in this gathering, please, support the government at the centre. I was happy when our leader mentioned the activities of the oil companies here, and said that there is no interruption. I was impressed by that.

“It shows that we are contributing positively, and we understand the meaning and importance of peace. So, let me enjoin you: continue to show this good faith, and be a good host.

“In the governance of this country, the success of the centre is the success of the sub-national. And when the sub-national succeeds, which is the state, the local governments will succeed. And when the local governments succeed, it means, more projects, more life-changing activities will be seen in your domain.”