Tag: Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, Has Lambasted An Unnamed Contractor For Abandoning the Bori internal road project after receiving 80 per cent payment.

Fubara, who was visibly angry at what he described as the nonchalance of the contractor, ordered him to return to site immediately and complete the project or face severe consequences.

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, gave the order when he visited the project site in Bori Town, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.

Read Also: Fubara blasts contractor for abandoning project site after 80% payment

The governor said: “This project was awarded before my assumption of office. But I have made two payments for this project. The total value of this project is over N6bn.

“In the month of June, 2023, I paid the first N2billion, and in December, 2023, I also released another N2billion, making about 80 percent of the project value.

“So, I am surprised that somebody will say that we are not interested in completing this project that is in my Senatorial District.”

Fubara said it was even more worrisome that after those payments were made, the contractor refused to move men and equipment to site.

The governor pointed to a very disturbing incident where the contractor sacked his front desk officer for receiving a letter sent by the Ministry of Works to demand an update on the Bori internal road project.

Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has lambasted an unnamed contractor for abandoning the Bori internal road project after receiving 80 per cent payment.

Fubara, who was visibly angry at what he described as the nonchallance of the contractor, ordered him to return to site immediately and complete the project  or face severe consequences.

 Fubara in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, gave the order when he visited the project site in Bori Town, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.

The Governor said: “This project was awarded before my assumption of office. But I have made two payments for this project. The total value of this project is over N6bn. 

“In the month of June, 2023, I paid the first N2billion, and in December, 2023, I also released another N2billion, making about 80 percent of the project value. 

“So, I am surprised that somebody will say that we are not interested in completing this project that is in my Senatorial District”.

Fubara said it was even more worrisome that after those payments were made, the contractor refused to move men and equipment to site. 

The governor pointed to a very disturbing incident where the contractor sacked his front desk officer for receiving a letter sent by the Ministry of Works to demand  an update on the Bori internal road project. 

He said: “I came here this afternoon to inspect the Bori internal roads under construction. And, honestly speaking, my major reason of coming here is because we got a very disturbing propaganda.

“Some persons were circulating negative reports on social media that we deliberately abandoned the continuation of Bori Internal Roads project. Maybe, the persons have political reason. 

“It is very unfortunate that everytime we find ourselves in this kind of situation. So, my coming here today is to let the world know of the situation. 

“I don’t want to mention the name of the contractor, let it not be that I am being personal. But the contractor knows himself.

Read Also: Fubara empowers 3066 SMEs with N4bn soft loan

“He should better go back to site or I will do something that will embarrass him as a person”.

The Governor also assured the residents of the area, who came out in their numbers to cheer him, singing his praises, that the road would be completed to ease movement of the people.

He said: “I can assure you that this road project will be completed. You are my people, and there is no way I can abandon a project designed to serve my people, and give them a sense of belonging. So, be rest assured that this road will be completed for your use”.

The  Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has reversed the suspension placed on Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives loyal to the state Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, by his ward leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP in Ngor, Ward 1 in Andoni Local Government Area, had suspended Abiante, the lawmaker, accusing him of creating a faction in the party.

The resolution suspending Abiante was signed by the PDP Caretaker Committee Ward Chairman in Andoni LGA, Dike Bara and CTC Ward Secretary, Dokubo Jackson, and 12 other executive members.

But the court on Friday made orders of interim injunction voiding his suspension following a suit he filed challenging the punitive measure.

Read Also: JUST IN: Court reverses suspension of pro-Fubara Rep

Abiante listed Bara, Jackson, Smith Green, Nte Obieaia as first set of defendants and Owoukagakemi Lawrence as well as Stephen Jumbo as the second set of defendants.

Making the orders, the Presiding Judge, Justice G.O. Ollor, restrained the defendants and their agents from tampering with the membership of Abiante or doing anything that will deprive him of his rights as a full member of PDP Ward 1, Ngor Town.

The judge also restrained the defendants and their agents from preventing Abiante from participating in all the activities of the PDP in all the wards, local government, federal Constituency, Senatorial District and the state.

Rivers  State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, has formally launched the N4bn loan scheme to  create wealth and stimulate business activities in the state.

The launching, which took place at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt on Friday was the beginning of disbursement of Rivers State Government/Bank of Industry (BOI) Limited N4bn loan scheme for nano, small and medium-scale businesses in the state.

Fubara said the lack of access to credit had continued to aggravate financial exclusion and choked the prospects for individuals to realise their economic aspirations for a better life.

But he said with the scheme, which is a partnership between Rivers State Government and BOI, a surest path had been secured to achieve entrepreneurial success and an enabler of economic prosperity in the state.

Read Also: JUST IN: Court reverses suspension of pro-Fubara Rep

Fubara said: “Today, we are all here to witness the formal launch and distribution of cheques to 3,066 micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises and 100 companies in the state from all 23 local government areas, including businesses owned by non-indigenes valued at over N3.6billion only.

“We are satisfied with today’s outing and professionalism, believing even more strongly that the potential outcome will be greater to both BOI and the government and good people of Rivers State.”

Fubara recalled that during his electioneering campaigns he promised to support entrepreneurial development and the growth of businesses through access to credit in the form of soft loans.

“We can only keep imagining the economic value that the over 3,000 MSMEs would add to the positive economic dynamics of Rivers State and the local government areas in terms of gross domestic product, increased tax returns, employment creation, income distribution and production of goods and services.”

In his address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry (BOI) Limited, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, represented by the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Commercial, Mr. Usen Effiong, said they were particularly interested in ensuring that the collaboration was realised in steering socio-economic growth, creating jobs, checking social vices and growing the IGR of Rivers State.

…donates N100m for workers’ celebration 

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to  implement the salary increase recently approved by the federal government for workers in the state.

The governor spoke  on Wednesday, May 1, at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, during the 2024 International Workers’ Day, with the theme, ‘People First’.

The governor at the event was bestowed with an award as the labour champion of Rivers state and named the most labour friendly governor. 

He also received a gift of a Bible and a portrait from the state civil service.

Fubara said: “Let me assure you that we are going to work with the Federal Government to implement necessary measures, including the continuation of the free bus services and the provision of necessary palliatives to ameliorate the current hardship faced by ordinary citizens.

“We are also committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters are made available. 

“We are a listening government, and we have heard the common concerns and demands of labour on the urgency of stimulating economic growth and improving the living conditions of our people.”

Fubara acknowledged workers as critical human resource that had continued to contribute immensely to the sustained long-term economic growth of the state.

The governor said that workers remained indispensable, from the production lines of small and big factories to government offices and institutions.

Fubara said:  “Rivers state is what it is, economically strong, resilient, and vibrant because of our workers. Our local governments and communities are what they are because workers are doing their jobs.

“Our nation is the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa only because of the commitment, efforts, and achievements of our workers.

“What this means is that there can be no nation-building or progress in society without the input, effort, and sacrifice of the workforce.”

Fubara said: “As a government, we recognize the roles, importance, and relevance of our workers to the implementation of our policy agenda for economic growth, provision of infrastructure, social progress and advancing the welfare and well-being of citizens.

“This is the reason we are here, not only to celebrate with you, but also to reiterate, reinforce, and reassure us of the inseparable bonds we have with organised labour as partners in progress. 

“We may have reasonable causes to disagree, which is normal in every social relationship. But we cannot afford to be at each other’s throats and neglect our common responsibilities to advance the peace, security, and progress of our State.

“Less we forget that the social contract binds not only the Government; it applies to the workers as much as patriots.”

Read Also: Fubara hails Finidi’s choice for Super Eagles

Fubara recalled his promise at his inaugural speech and reiterated that he would not disappoint labour, his primary constituency. 

He said: “I stand by this statement even now and for as long as I remain in office as the Governor of Rivers State. I will not disappoint you. I will continue to govern with the fear of God and carry everyone, including labour, along.

“We promised not to neglect the interest and well-being of our workers within the limits of available resources, and we have not faltered on this promise.

“On the 1st of June, 2023, barely three days after the assumption of office, I visited the State Secretariat Complex to see its dilapidated state and take immediate measures to improve the poor working environment of our workers.

“Since then, we have reactivated and restored some facilities and services in the Secretariat Complex, including the water system, elevators, leaking roofs, and improved electricity supply.

“In addition, we have also commissioned a reputable international company to scope the entire complex and advise on the cost of a comprehensive rehabilitation of the Secretariat Complex, which we intend to carry out in phases as available finances will allow.”

Fubara said he implemented promotion of staff stagnated over a decade with financial benefits, and approved the recruitment of 1,000 doctors and other medical personnel to strengthen the State’s healthcare delivery system.

He also said the state’s contributory Healthcare Insurance Scheme had commenced, urging all workers to take advantage of the benefits of the scheme.

He said the government was clearing the backlog of gratuities to retired civil servants while ensuring the prompt enrolment and payment of pensions.

He said: “I can assure you that the days of delayed payments of retirement benefits to civil servants are over under our watch.

“We appointed 16 Permanent Secretaries based on merit and equitable spread to local government areas that were hitherto not represented at that level to strengthen the civil service for effective implementation of government policies and optimal delivery of services to our people. 

“Few weeks ago, we directed and ensured the implementation of the minimum wage and promotion of our workers in the local government service.        

“We have approved and released a grant of N250million only for the completion of the secretariat building of the Nigerian Union of Teachers”.

The governor also announced the donation of N100m to assuage the sacrifices of the workers, who turned up at the stadium for the celebration of the 2024 May Day.

In his address, the Rivers state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor, said the theme of 2024 International Labour Day reflected the leadership direction of Governor Fubara, who he said had continued to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state.

Agwanwor said that the governor implemented promotion for state and local government workers with consequential financial benefits.

Also implemented, he said, were payment of N30,000.00 minimum wage to LG workers, N100,000.00 Christmas bonus across board to all workers, constitution of governing councils, boards and commissions of government agencies, institutions for effective service delivery, restored functionality of basic utilities at the State Secretariat, and reopened Rivers State Transport Company (RTC).

He said the governor’s actions had further motivated workers, and emboldened them to remain unfettered in their support to the success of the Governor Fubara-led administration while increasing their productivity.

He said: “For us as Rivers State workers, we make bold to state without fear, or favour that, the present Administration of Your Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is aptly a reflection of the year 2024 theme of Workers Day celebration.

“We acknowledge consistently, the demonstration of Your Excellency’s confession of purpose and value driven leadership and administration in thoughts, deeds, and actions, and as critical stakeholders in Rivers State project and beneficiaries of Your Excellency’s humane disposition, we offer to journey with you on the quest to positively impact on the lives of Rivers people.”

He commended the governor for making efforts to revamp the abandoned Songhai Integrated Farms at Bunu Tai, and listed other agricultural initiatives such as Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and C-4 programmes, Delta Rubber Company, among others, as areas the government must focus on to enhance food sufficiency and security, taming hunger and raising job creation opportunities in the state.

Also speaking, the Rivers State chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Okechukwu Onyefuru, expressed delight over recent feat of governor Fubara, who increases the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N11bn to N27bn.

Onyefuru advised that with items like railways and building of refineries moved to the Concurrent List, the atate government should take advantage of thim new legal framework, to further grow the State’s IGR and create more jobs for the youths.

The TUC chairman also appealed to  Fubara to use his good offices to compel International Oil Companies (OICs) not to move their headquarters out of the State, while also thanking him for mediating in the industrial dispute in Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited at Eleme.

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his team is winning the ongoing political battle in the state with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Fubara spoke on Monday, April 29, when participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC-17 Syndicate 5) of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Fubara said: “You know, we are a government that does not believe in violence even when we are being provoked on all sides.

“What we want to use to fight our battles is AI. So, sincerely, we are winning with AI. When I said it, it was not a mistake. I know what I mean.”

Addressing the visitors, the governor said: “We feel very honoured at this particular time to have you in our State, especially considering the high level of security and intelligence work that you are doing.

“It will give us a good image as against what is being rumoured everywhere that the streets of Port Harcourt, are being paraded by cultists, kidnappers and all sorts of criminal elements.

“You might have also gone round and seen for yourself that Rivers State, even in the face of the political crisis, is also peaceful.

“This is because the management of the State, as of today, has always emphasised that peace is the only way and solution for development. So, I am happy that your presence here has also helped to make us score another point before our detractors.”

The governor said policy makers needed to draw up futuristic plans that to strengthen governance when implemented while also protecting the interest of the people.

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, emphasised that his administration was ready to leverage AI to significantly enhance operational efficiency and transform citizen experiences.

The governor said that advanced societies were accelerating the use of artificial intelligence for a faster data-driven decision-making process

He said: “Today, we are moving from the aspect of physical battle to intellectual battle and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the right model to use to fight crime.

“As a state, we did not hesitate to accept your invitation because we want to tap into it. We want to be part of this success, knowing fully well that your success will also rub off on our state.

 “I heard you say here that, at the end of the visit, your report will be part of what would be used to formulate policies.

“It’s very important and we know quite alright that, for us to do better than what we are doing, we need policies that are strong, futuristic, and can strengthen governance as well as policies that would protect the interest of the common man.”

Fubara assured that his administration was determined to work with the institute to build a strong synergy that would ease the processes of governance.

He directed the Secretary of the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, to sustain contact with the group so that its final report could be made available to the state.

He said: “It is important we get the final report so that it can help us in some of our planning and other strategies”. 

The governor said that to build a very successful nation, it was important for everybody to work as a team.

“Such teamwork will diminish tendencies to engage in unhealthy rivalry and frustrate politics of bitterness, particularly because government was a continuum.

“After my administration, another person, definitely, will take over, but what is important is for us to work for the common interest of everybody, not for self. If we are talking about self, we will be very destructive. Our policies will be very myopic and short-sighted.

“I want to urge everyone to think first about the well-being of our country. I want to appeal to everybody, let us stop this politics of bitterness and play politics of friendship.

“Let us liken it to a football match: somebody has to win, somebody has to lose. There will be another tournament, and you will try again to see if you can reclaim your medal. That is the way life should be seen.

“It shouldn’t be an issue of unnecessary competition. It shouldn’t be an issue of unnecessary rivalry that leads to bitterness, leads to sickness of the bone. We should try and emulate better relationships”, he said.

In his speech, the Head of the delegation, Didacus Egor Egbeji, said that officers at the rank of not less than deputy directors were in the state for a weeklong study tour as part of the requirements of their 10-month course at the institute.

Read Also: BREAKING: Fubara visits scene of Rivers fire disaster, promises compensation

Egbeji, who is also the Deputy Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies, explained that the participants were strategic leaders who, in the next 5 years, would likely head their different agencies and would be using gains from the training to ensure efficiency at their agencies.

He said: “The training has to do with different modules. We have the security module; we have the crisis management module; we have the governance module; and we have the strategic module. As we are here, the other groups are in states, such as Cross River, Abia, Enugu, Zamfara, and Kogi.

“We are expected, after this one-week tour, to go back to the institute to make a presentation of what we found in Rivers State in terms of the theme of the course which is “Artificial Intelligence, Security and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects.

“It is after this submission that we are also expected to embark on a study tour of six African states. By the end of next month, after the tour of the African states, by September, we will embark on a tour of six other countries across the globe.”