Tag: Fubara

…as Navy impounds 14 vessels, relocates training headquarters to P-Harcourt

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the Nigerian Navy to be ruthless against all forms of economic sabotage, especially crude oil theft.

The governor, however, observed with delight the positive results already recorded by the Navy in the Rivers following the tremendous support it had received from his administration.

Fubara spoke when he hosted the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla with his delegation of top officers of Navy High Command at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The governor said: “We are working together, we will give you all the support to make sure that you deliver on your mandate.

“And what is the mandate? You were appointed at a time when our country is facing a lot of crises, and your duty, among others, includes reducing, if it cannot be eliminated, the criminalities perpetrated on the waterways; oil theft and others.

“And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure.”

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the reduced level of oil theft in Rivers was the evidence of the many positive things happening in the state beyond the much-hyped negativity, and assured that such positive achievements would be sustained.

He said; “The success of the Nigerian Navy in our State, in the areas of oil theft, is because the State Government has given you all the necessary support.

“We have collaborated with the command here. We supported them morally and with all the necessary logistics.

“We have also maintained good relationships with the communities to make sure that whatever it is that is required for these operations to be successful were granted. I am happy to be associated with these very laudable achievements.

“So, I have to say that I am happy that the Chief of Naval Staff, today, is commending the success of the exercise. He is commending the doggedness of the men in fighting oil theft, not just in the Niger Delta, but particularly in our State.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to give them the support, and discourage any act that would be a sabotage to the economy of our State.”

Fubara said that Rivers was not named in error adding that the state is surrounded by many water channels that could boost the operations of the Navy.

He said: “This is why we are requesting that the Nigerian Navy move all its bases to the state.

“It was not a mistake they called it Rivers State. It is surrounded by all forms of rivers. If you want the Atlantic region, you can get it here. If you want those small creeks, you can also get it here. Maybe, if you want an Island, you can also find it here.

“So, it is proper if we work with you and you have all that is required within this geographic region, to have all your bases relocated to Rivers State.

 “We must continue to give you the necessary support to make sure that you succeed. I am happy to also say that, as the Governor of the State by the special grace of God, we are still here, not minding the dramas here and there. We will not let our people down in ensuring that we protect their interests.

“We will support the genuine course of governance; the protection of lives and the provision of basic amenities. And these can only be achieved when there is a peaceful environment.

“And the peaceful environment can only come when there is a collaboration with security agencies to prevent crimes and protect lives and property of residents.”

In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated that the Nigerian Navy and Rivers were like conjoined twins, who could not do without each other.

He said the Navy needed collaboration on various aspects of their activities ranging from training, operations, and logistics, adding that Rivers remained key to their performance.

He said: “My purpose of coming here today is threefold. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings to beef up our strength.

“The second reason is to first appreciate the Governor and the entire Rivers State Government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

 “We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carry out duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.

“We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of Headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.’

Speaking on the operational successes recorded by the Navy he said that propelled by the charge given to them by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Navy, under his watch, had impounded 14 vessels caught conveying stolen crude oil and arrested many individuals.

Read Also: Rivers crisis: Two commissioners quit Fubara’s cabinet

He said: “I am here today to report Sir, that, with the “Operation Delta Sanity”, launched in January 2024, we have been very successful, and within the period, we have recorded tremendous successes and achievements.

“Over 14 large crude carrying vessels have been arrested within that period. Most of them are at various levels of investigation. We have also arrested several barges and other companies and organizations that are involved in oil theft.

“As a result of the operations, we are happy to report that there have been tremendous improvements in terms of security in the maritime environment.”…as Navy impounds 14 vessels, relocates training headquarters to P-Harcourt

There appears to be no end to the political spat in  Rivers State  as two redeployed commissioners — Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor and  Isaac Kamalu – turned in their resignation letters yesterday. .

Adangor was on Tuesday moved from Justice Ministry where he served as commissioner and Attorney-General to  Special Duties (Governor’s Office) and Kamalu from  Finance to of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment ministry.

While Adangor  cited interference by Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the discharge of his duties as reason, Kamalu said he could no longer operate  in   a hostile environment.

The duo conveyed the  resignation letters to Fubara through the Secretary to  the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo.

Fubara had through the office of the  SSG    said their redeployment was  with immediate effect. He directed  them to hand over to the permanent secretaries of their  ministries.

In what appeared a veiled reference to the resignations     by Adangor and Kamalu, the governor boasted that he had been making the right decisions since he was sworn into office.

Adangor,  in his letter,  said he was no longer willing to continue to serve in Fubara’s administration in any capacity whatsoever.

He claimed that   Fubara directed him not to defend, oppose or appear in any case instituted against his office and the  state government.  .

The former  Attorney-General  said: “I want to state for the records that I am no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of His Excellency, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara in any capacity whatsoever.

“It is important to mention that the governor of Rivers State in the past couple of weeks willfully interfered with the performance of my duties as the honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice by directing me not to defend, oppose or appear in suits instituted against the Attorney-General and the state government by individuals admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.

Read Also: I am making right decisions, says Fubara

“Having served the government and good people of Rivers State dutifully, as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council for five years, it has become imperative for me to quit the administration in order to preserve my reputation. I wish the administration of his Excellency well”.

In his letter, Kamalu complained that despite the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there had been no peace in the state.

He recalled his services to the state during the tenure of former Governor Nyesom Wike, saying he   will  not accept his redeployment.

The letter reads in part: “You will respectfully recall that when the climate of discord became unbearable I and other like-minded members of the executive council that were appointed by you resigned. You thereafter engaged His Excellency,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,.. as father of the nation to intervene in the matter.

“In deference to the directive of Mr. President I and the others were recalled and we all accepted and joined the cabinet again. I expected, Sir, that with the opportunity provided by Mr.President every effort will be made to sustain peace.”

 The Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has boasted that he has been making the right decisions since he was sworn into office.

He reiterated his willingness to work with people of goodwill and progressive ideas for partnerships that would make life better and ensure the sustainable development of the state.

The governor spoke while addressing a delegation of the leadership and members of Azuabie-Okujaku communities, who were on a peaceful solidarity walk to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, George Nwaeke, said the people’s support was largely organic.

He said: “You are the people that voted him into power, and that is why you have the right also to say that these are the things you need.

“The governor also recognises the contributions of your sons and daughters who have served the State in different ways. Your community is one of the greatest communities in the State because it has produced men who have contributed in no small measure to the growth of Rivers State.

“I want to beg of you, as you go home, let every person here be an ambassador, everybody in your community. Tell them that the Governor means well for his people.

“Tell your people that their governor is still sitting in the place they elected him to sit, and making the right decisions. We know there could be people who may be tempted with money to be Judas. But tell them to shun money. Tell them that what matters at this time is the people, and the Governor is people-centred.”

Read Also: BREAKING: Fubara reshuffles cabinet over Rivers crisis

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said he had listened and taken note of their requests concerning the state of public schools in their communities, among other issues that required attention.

He said: “I want to even thank you for that on your own, you made some community efforts to execute projects, whereas some people, when the government builds schools, they go and steal the things used in building the schools and destroy the schools.

“In your case, you used your own money to build some classrooms in your communities. The Governor will be very happy to hear this and your communities will be supported.

“I want to make one assurance to you: We have received your protest letter, we will not talk about them here, because already, the governor is thinking along those lines.

“The governor is thinking about making sure that our people live in a comfortable environment. I can assure you that your communities will receive maximum support”.

Speaking on behalf of Azuabie-Okujaku communities, Elder Tamunotonkaye Adolphus, said they were ardent supporters of the Governor Fubara-led administration and were impressed with his performance in office, accomplishments, and peaceful disposition.

Adolphus explained that the people had fresh hope of government intervention in their communities because they were neglected by the immediate past administration, leaving their roads and public schools unattended.

He expressed the belief that the Fubara-led administration would come to their aid by rehabilitating the 10km internal roads and the two public schools in the communities.

Also speaking, the Rivers State Gubernatorial Candidate for Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the 2023 general election, Sir. Victor Fingesi expressed excitement with Governor Fubara’s avowed commitment to harnessing the agricultural potential of the state.

He noted that it was the first time since 1999 that a governor had been convinced to change the narrative in the agricultural sector to make Rivers competitive economically.

He called for strategic investments in the agriculture sector to guarantee food sufficiency and security and reduce the scourge of hunger in the land.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will not succumb to the pressure mounted on it by self-serving politicians.

The governor assured that despite the deliberate distractions by his detractors, the state government will remain focused on delivering good governance to the people to justify the mandate freely given to it by the electorate.

He urged the leadership of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to sustain the promotion of excellence in financial reporting and practice in the country.

Fubara spoke when he received a delegation of the association led by its 13th National President, Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, in Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, noted that the government’s eyes would remain glued on the ball to enable it to achieve set targets in critical sectors.

Fubara in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, vowed not to disappoint Rivers people.

Read Also: Rivers Assembly overrides Fubara, passes Local Govt Bill into law

“No matter the pressure to via off the curve, the government will never yield to the machinations of self-serving politicians and individuals”, he insisted.

He charged ANAN to remain consistent in professional financial practice to institutionalize best practices, due diligence, and transparency in governance.

The governor said: “So, know that it’s actually a pleasure to have you come to hold your Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme in Port Harcourt. And also to say that it is an association that rings a bell.

“In fact, two of my staff actually passed their training examinations. It was in Jos, and I asked them: what are you going to do there? And they said it was mandatory for them. So, you’re doing a good and wonderful job.

“It is good to be good and consistent so that you have that integrity for the Association. And to congratulate you on the college that has been established because anything to do with education, it is something that is top notch because people have to learn, train, and be retrained.

“And to tell you that my Governor is very passionate about things that have to do with the improvement of capacities and building of individuals and human beings. I’m delighted that he will be willing to do something that will put his name on the marble when you talk about ANAN College.”

Fubara commended their decision to choose Port Harcourt as the host for their 2024 professional development programme and urged them to enjoy their visit.

He said that the choice of the state for the annual gathering of professional accountants was an eloquent indication that the Rivers was safe not just for national conferences, summits and retreats, but also for long-term investors and visitors.

He said: “It is, indeed, gratifying that when conferences or meetings are scheduled in Rivers State, for us, it is a plus because it resonates with the fact that Rivers State is safe; that Rivers State is a place you can do business and interact with people”.

In his address, the 13th National President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, said they were in Government House on a solidarity visit to the Governor, who is a fellow of the association.

Neminabor, who is also chairman of the council of ANAN, explained that as a body of 55,000 members with 44 branches across Nigeria, they were reckoned as one of the topmost institutes for practising accountants.

He also said that ANAN decided that the three-day 2nd session of the 2024 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme should be hosted in Port Harcourt to underscore the pivotal position of Rivers State in the national economy.

On the delegation were national and state executive officers of the association, while the training event, which began on Monday with registration of participants, will end on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law without the assent of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The Assembly passed the Bill yesterday, despite the State High Court’s order directing the status quo on the issue of elongating the tenure of elected local government officials, which formed part of the amendment.

The Assembly was said to have also screened and confirmed the chairman and other members of the Assembly Service Commission in the spirit of the new law.

The Local Government Amendment Bill has increased to four the number of such laws that were enacted in the state without the assent of Fubara since the political crisis in the state started.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker of the House, Martins Wachukwu, said the Assembly passed the law at its 159th legislative sitting.

On March 13, the Assembly passed the Bill and forwarded same to Fubara for assent, but the governor declined, according to the statement.

The Bill was re-presented by Majority Leader Major Jack and debated upon by other lawmakers.

Read Also: Graça Machel: Meet woman who became First Lady of two different countries

The statement said the provisions of Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, empowers the Assembly to override the governor where he withholds assent to a law.

It said Speaker Martin Amaewhule put the question to other lawmakers and, and with a two-thirds majority votes, the Assembly agreed to override the governor and passed the Bill into law.

The statement also said the House screened and confirmed nominees for the position of Chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission.

Those screened and confirmed are: Sampson Worlu, as Chairman; with Abinye Blessing Pepple, Mrs. Blessing Belema Derefaka, Mr. Gbaranen Robinson, and Madam Dorcas Amos, as members.

On March 22, the Assembly passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill into law, giving itself the power to appoint the chairman and members of the commission.

Also, Amaewhule announced the death of Mr. Lucky Amadi, the husband of the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Emilia Lucky Amadi, saying other lawmakers would pay a condolence visit to their bereaved colleague.

Amaewhule had earlier given insight into some of the provisions of the amended local government law.

The Speaker said Section 9(2), (3) and (4)of the principal law empowers the Assembly, via a resolution, to extend the tenure of elected chairmen and councilors, where it is considered  impracticable to hold local government elections before the expiration of their three-year tenure.

He said the amendment was meant to ensure that local government elections were conducted before the expiration of the outgoing local government administration.

But the Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, recently issued an interim injunction ordering that the status quo be maintained.

This followed the Assembly’s move to extend the tenures of the elected local government councils’ officials.

The court asked all the parties to maintain the status quo ante belum pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice for the interlocutory injunction.

The orders were made following a suit filed by executive chairmen of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government (Enyiada Cooky-Gam), Bonny Local Government (Anengi Claude-Wilcox), and five other elected council officials challenging the decision of the Amaewhule-led Assembly to extend the tenure of local government areas.

Also named as defendants in the suit are: the governor of Rivers State, the government of Rivers State, and the Attorney-General of Rivers State.

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged all original owners of shops at the Mile One, Rumuwoji, Market in Port Harcourt to subject themselves to the ongoing verification exercise for proper capturing and eventual allocation of shops.

Fubara gave the advice when some aggrieved traders, organised as ‘Mile One (Rumuwoji) Market Phase 2 Genuine Shop Owners Affected by 2013 Inferno’ came on a peaceful protest march to Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The group was received by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, on behalf of  Fubara.

While appealing to members of the group not to despair,  Fubara asked them to go back and work with the Rivers State Government Reconciliation Committee on Lockup Shops at Mile One (Rumuwoji) Market, which had been empowered to address the contending issues.

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said that the committee would work with available data insisting that the traders must go through proper verification.

He said: “We are aware of the problems in Mile One Market. We may not know all the details off-hand, but one thing that I can assure you is that, as you have alluded here also, the Governor has come to ensure that there is peace and that you people have your means of livelihood handed back to you.

“The issue of Mile One Market, honestly speaking, Government is giving it very good attention. This committee is the Rivers State Government Committee. If you suspect any bias, let us know or approach the committee members, and we will address you very well.

“But, what we will not allow is where our State will now be tilted to a place of violent protests. So, what I want to tell you is that, as the committee has started the process, we will continue with that process, fine-tune it wherever we think that, maybe, the process is not very good.

“So, my assurance to you is that this committee will live up to expectations. Whatever this committee will do, will stand the test of time.

“Honestly speaking, the number of people that might be shop owners there, not the entire 100 percent of them will get. But be sure that a very large percentage will get it. I can assure you that.”

The chairman of Rivers State Government Reconciliation Committee on Lockup Shops at Mile One (Rumuwoji) Market, Mrs. Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo, who is also the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, said there was no need for the apprehension expressed by the group.

Read Also: BREAKING: Rivers Assembly overrides Fubara, passes LG bill into law

 Clapton-Ogolo pointed out that the committee had the mandate to accommodate all complaints, verify every claim, and ensure that the original owners, those who took the Government to court, would be the first to be allocated shops before attending to others.

She, however, insisted that if the group of original owners of shops refused to subject themselves to the ongoing process, they would be jeopardizing their position because the exercise would be stalled for no reason.

Speaking for the group, Mr. Wariso Soso Soberekon, said they were afraid that the process had ignored their plight, and designed to shortchange them by denying them the chance to reallocate their shops.

• Port Harcourt Refinery to begin operation soon, says Senate committee

Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara has condemned the ongoing politics of bitterness in the state observing that a senator representing his Senatorial District tried to stop members of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Turnaround Maintenance of Nigerian Refineries from paying him the traditional courtesy visit.

Fubara is a constituent of the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, which is represented by Senator Barry Mpigi.

Mpigi was in Rivers alongside other members of the Senate Adhoc Committee led by Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Uba, who were in the state to inspect the ongoing turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery, but was conspicuously missing when the committee paid a courtesy visit to Fubara in Government House on Friday night.

Mpigi belongs to the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike, in the ongoing political tussle that had divided the state into Wike and Fubara groups.

While addressing the senators, Fubara said: “I am aware that this is not the actual number of members of this committee. You are more than this. I am also aware that the senator representing, unfortunately, my senatorial district, didn’t want you to come here.

“But because you are men of integrity: the real ones, who have integrity; you decided to come and do what is right. God will bless you.

“What you are doing is the right thing. Politics is a business of interest. Your worst enemy today can become your best friend tomorrow. It’s a business of interest. But the interest of the people should come first.

“Unfortunately, some people think it is something that has to do with life or death. And that is one mistake everybody makes when you take this business outside of the normal principles and rules.”

“Our government has no business with politics of bitterness because we have the interest of our people at heart. We take their wellbeing as our priority, because that is why they gave us the mandate to govern them. So, their interest, which is the interest of the State, comes first in our scheme of things.”

Fubara warned that anybody disrespecting a man in authority either for his age or status, could succeed temporarily but that such insults would boomerang with greater and bigger pain.

He said: “We might be a state, as being presented that we have issues. But we don’t have any issues. Our eyes are on the ball to deliver for our people. Even in the face of this deliberate distraction, we will not fail our people because at the end, it is the impact we make on our people that counts.”

Read Also: My senator tried to stop ad-hoc committee from visiting me – Fubara

The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, reminded the senators of the peaceful nature and hospitality of the state and its people, and urged them to feel free to interact with the government for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

He reiterated that his administration was working in tandem with President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government’s policies designed to make life better for the people through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Fubara said that the Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery Road, now 70 per cent completed, was being constructed by his government to provide a bypass to easily access the Port Harcourt Refinery and reduce traffic from the East-West Road.

He said: “We, as a State, before the commencement of the rehabilitation job, had a contribution that we wanted to make to support the work at the refinery because of the deplorable state of the East-West Road.

Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has condemned the ongoing politics of bitterness in the State alleging his Senator tried to stop members of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Turnaround Maintenance of Nigerian Refineries from paying him the traditional courtesy visit.

Fubara is a constituent of Rivers Southeast represented by Senator Barry Mpigi.

Mpigi was in Rivers with other members of the Senate Adhoc Committee led by Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Uba, to inspect the ongoing turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery but was conspicuously missing when the committee paid a courtesy visit to Fubara in Government House on Friday night.

Mpigi belongs to the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike, in the ongoing political tussle that had divided the state into Wike and Fubara groups.

While addressing the senators, Fubara said: “I am aware that this is not the actual number of members of this committee. You are more than this. I am also aware that the senator representing, unfortunately, my senatorial district, didn’t want you to come here. 

“But because you are men of integrity: the real ones, who have integrity; you decided to come and do what is right. God will bless you. 

“What you are doing is the right thing. Politics is a business of interest. Your worse enemy today can become your best friend tomorrow. It’s a business of interest. But the interest of the people should come first.

“Unfortunately, some people think it is something that has to do with life or death. And that is one mistake everybody makes when you take this business outside of the normal principles and rules.”

“Our government has no business with politics of bitterness because we have the interest of our people at heart. We take their wellbeing as our priority, because that is why they gave us the mandate to govern them. So, their interest, which is the interest of the State, comes first in our scheme of things”.

Fubara warned that anybody disrespecting a man in authority either for his age or status, could succeed temporarily but tsuch insults would boomerang with greater and bigger pain. 

He said: “We might be a state, as being presented that we have issues. But we don’t have any issues. Our eyes are on the ball to deliver for our people. Even in the face of this deliberate distraction, we will not fail our people because at the end, it is the impact we make on our people that counts.”

The Governor, in a statemeny by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, reminded the senators of the peaceful nature and hospitality of the state and its people, and urged them to feel free to interact with the government for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders. 

He reiterated that his administration was working in tandem with President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government’s policies designed to make life better for the people through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Fubara said that the Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery Road, now 70 per cent completed, was being constructed by his government to provide a bypass to easily access the Port Harcourt Refinery and reduce traffic from the East-West Road. 

Read Also: We’ve increased Rivers IGR from N13bn to N27bn monthly – Fubara

The governor said the purpose of governance was to make life easy for the people and expressed delight that the Senate Committee’s investigation would result in making life easy and meaningful to everyone.

He said: “We, as a State, before the commencement of the rehabilitation job, had a contribution that we wanted to make to support the work at the refinery because of the deplorable state of the East-West Road. 

“There is a road, Woji-Aleto-Alesa Refinery Road. We are almost completing the bridge. It’s about 70 percent completed. We are doing almost the last part of it. With that road, it will help to decongest and reduce the trouble commuters face along the East-West Road while providing easy access, straight to the refinery. 

“So, you can see that our Government is working in line, supporting the Administration of President Bola Tinubu to give our people hope and assurance that things will soon get better. 

“And it is this role that you are playing, genuinely. And with the support of this State Government, that is the only way we can achieve the purpose of governance for everyone. 

“The purpose of governance is to make life easy for the people. I am happy that your investigation would result in making life easy for the people”.

Fubara highlighted the benefits of getting the refinery to work again saying it would help to reduce importation of refined petroleum products.

He said: “When the refinery restarts production, there will be petroleum products available locally. The issue of importation will go down. We will now make impact, economy will grow, internally generated revenue will increase. More projects will be executed in this State. You can see that it’s a chain effect thing. So, I want to thank you”.

In his presentation, the Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to Investigate the Turnaround Maintenance of Nigeria’s Refineries, Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (representing Anambra South Senatorial District), said they were at Warri Refinery on Thursday for the same mission.

He said they came to Port Harcourt to investigate the work that had been done and assess the level of preparedness of both the old and new Port Harcourt Refinery to recommence operations.

Senator Ubah said: “We will recall that the old Port Harcourt Refinery was the first refinery in Nigeria built in 1965, and the second one was built in 1989. And for so long now, they have not been in active operations. 

“And with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, and also the desire of Nigerians and our determination; the Senate led by our President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, we had a resolution in the Senate to look at it and make sure that Nigeria’s refineries are working so that we shouldn’t be depending on importation of petroleum products.

“And that is one of the reasons that we are here, and as well to look into the contract and investigate the level of compliance vis-a-vis the contract specifications.

“We are pleased to note that what we saw is most encouraging as the refinery upgrade and full rehabilitation is almost at 90 percent completed. We are confident that the refinery will soon be operational before the end of the year”.