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Tag: Governor Siminalayi Fubara

  • Fubara assures Rivers people of good governance

    Fubara assures Rivers people of good governance

    • Says distractions won’t stop him

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has assured the people of Rivers of his commitment to good governance, noting that he would not be pander to any needless distraction that may stand in the way of achieving his mandate. 

    Fubara who spoke yesterday shortly after being conferred with an honourary doctorate (Doctor of Science) degree for his modest contributions in the area of healthcare service delivery in the state, said his administration is committed to working assiduously towards providing a safer environment for all residents.

    The event was at the fourth convocation ceremony of PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) held at the university campus in Iriebe, Obio-Akpor council Area of the State.

    The governor equally noted that his government is committed to creating opportunities to foster prosperity and accelerated transformation across the sectors.

    He noted that despite the senseless political distractions, he is more resolved as always, to leave behind convincing development strides and legacies that will surpass what he inherited.

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    Earlier, the governor inaugurated two separate projects including a 500-capacity Sir Siminalayi Fubara Lecture Theatre and the state-of-the-art Medical Library with e-library facilities.

    An elated Fubura said, “We are making and also advancing the course of peace, security and unbiased development in our state as everyone can see and attest to our genuine interest for the state. “Our mandate is to work with our people to transform our state and communities to a level where we can secure, and enjoy the greatest standards of security, peace and prosperity from the responsible and responsive management of our collective God-given resources.

    He commended the former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili for his foresight in establishing the institution, which he said, stands as a testament of giving back to society while providing excellent medical educational training to young Nigerians.

    The governor added, “Reputed to be the first private medical university in Nigeria, PUMS’s acclaimed mission of providing ‘excellent medical training for the production of world-class medical and health science professionals characterised by the core values of knowledge, discipline and human service’ clearly resonates with that statement that PAMO is prepared, ready and is delivering to Nigeria and Rivers State in particular.

    “In this era where the standards of education in our universities are declining, PUMS has established itself as an island of excellence in medical education and training in Nigeria.

    “Indeed, only a few medical universities and colleges in this country can boast of the record-breaking progress PUMS has recorded in a few years.”

    The governor expressed appreciation to the Governing Council of the institution for considering him for the award of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), which he described as not only fulfilling but humbling in recognition of the modest contributions made in healthcare and education.

    Speaking earlier, the Founder and Pro-Chancellor of the University, Dr Peter Odili said the institution, which has existed for seven years, and has celebrated four convocation ceremonies, has now graduated a total of 223 certified graduands found worthy in character and learning.

    Odili expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for offering automatic employment to all 76 graduands awarded degrees while urging the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution, treat their patients with dignity, love and great care.

    Also speaking, the Chancellor of the School, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), commended Fubara for not only sustaining the scholarship scheme with the school, started by the immediate past Governor Nyesom Wike, but also increased the number from 100 to 150 students.

    The former Head of State noted that the commitment and attention of the governor to healthcare delivery is very inspiring.

    Abubakar said the institution has been consistent in increasing physical structures that include lecture halls, library, hostels and other learning facilities that have made teaching and learning more conducive for both staff and students.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Christie Mato, explained that the institution has full accreditation for all academic courses in the four faculties secured from National Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory bodies.

    Mato noted that out of the 76 graduands, three are awarded First Class Honours; 23 awarded Second Class Honours (Upper Division); 25 Second Class Honours (Lower Division); and 25 with Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degrees.

  • Fubara orders contractor to complete N15bn 9.7km road in eight months

    Fubara orders contractor to complete N15bn 9.7km road in eight months

    Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has ordered Julius Berger  to complete the 9.7km Ogbakiri Town  road project awarded at N15bn  within the stipulated time of eight months because of its socio-economic importance to the people.

    The road dualisation project begins from the Emohua axis on the East-West Road-Tema Junction, connecting about six communities within Ogbakiri Town and terminates at the waterside of Egbelu-Oduoha-Ogbakiri communities.

    Fubara, who inspected the road on Tuesday, explained that his administration awarded the project at the cost of about N15billion and had paid 30 per cent mobilisation fee to the contractor.

    He said: “If you could see, when we were coming in, at the centre of the road, the other side that leads to Tema in Kalabari, Julius Berger has already taken up that stretch.

    “And we felt it will be proper for them to also extend the good work they did in that other side to this side of the road so that there will be uniformity.

    “For that reason, we awarded this job to them, and we have also paid them 30 percent mobilization, which is N4.5billion. The total cost of this job is about N15billion. 

    “Last week, we paid 30 percent for them to commence work on it. They have also assured us that in eight months’ time, that this project will be delivered.”

    Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Nelson Chukwudi said his commitment was to improve the quality of life of all residents of the state and that those in Ogbakiri Town were no exception.

    He also noted the plan  to connect the road with a bridge to some riverine communities on the other side from the Egbelu-Oduoha-Ogbakiri communities.

    Read Also: My detractors want to frustrate Rivers projects, says Fubara 

    He said: “We made a promise to our people that we will continue to embark on projects that will touch the lives of our people. 

    “This is not a 1km road. It is not a 2km road. It is a 9.7km road at the cost of about N15billion. So, you can imagine what we are doing to better the lives of the people here.

    “I personally came to the waterfront to see what we could do to connect the other side of the river to this side. But we are working on it. Let us see by the time we are done with this, we will now decide on what to do about that.”

    Fubara assured that Rivers people and all residents would have the best from his administration to appreciate their support. 

    The governor  also stopped at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic at Rumuola near Port Harcourt where a number of projects including  the  Entrepreneurship Centre, Staff Office and Senate Building, were ongoing.

    Fubara said the Entrepreneurship Centre was strategic because it would serve the need for functional education that would develop the occupational skills of students to become productive citizens. 

    Fubara said:  “Part of our programme; we assured the good people of Rivers State that we are not going to limit what we are doing to roads alone but will extend to the education sector.

    “We discussed with the Governing Council on their inauguration, demanding to know what the basic needs of the school are, and they mentioned a lot of them – accommodation, office block and completion of the Senate Building that has been on for the past eight years.

    “We assured them that we are going to do that, and we have already released 50 percent of the cost for the completion, and also for other two projects that are ongoing.

     “You are already seeing for yourself the foundation for the office block for the staff of the institution. They also have another one, which is about to commence, which is the entrepreneurship building for training of the youths.

    “So, our promise to our people is very strong on issues of development. Not just on any other area but education and infrastructure development, and we are not going back on it”.

  • We won’t allow anybody cause instability in Rivers, says Fubara

    We won’t allow anybody cause instability in Rivers, says Fubara

    Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has said that his administration will not tolerate any misguided group or individual attempting to create confusion or any form of instability in the State.

    The Governor also urged every registered voter and leader of political groups to visit their polling units on Saturday to participate in the process that would usher in new political leadership in the 23 local government councils.

    Fubara spoke while addressing Rivers political stakeholders, who converged on the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    The Governor said the meeting was convened to give the political class and the generality of the electorate in the State the needed assurances of the support of the state government to the electoral process.

    Fubara said that the meeting was made open to the public and the media because it is time to strengthen the message across to the people on the importance of the election to the sustainability of democracy in the state.

    Read Also: Interplay of betrayal, hypocrisy and incompetence in Rivers State

    The governor emphasised that the position and resolve of the state government on the forthcoming election is clear, adding that it would  be conducted and concluded.

    Fubara said: “First, I want to thank everyone of you for being very peaceful. You see, I didn’t make any mistake when I said, we need to follow this struggle with a different tactics.

    “If you have very special egg that you are carrying, and somebody is coming to fight you, do you need to fight the person? Won’t you use your two hands to grab the basket of the egg? 

    “Even if the person is chasing you, if you run and hit your foot and the basket of egg falls, who is going to lose, is it not you? You can see why we are very careful, and we are following this course with AI.

    “Secondly, I want to assure you that the Local Government election is about the State. I might not be a lawyer but at least, I understand that it is a State matter.

    “And, thirdly, from the beginning of this process to the end is within the purview of the State. It has nothing to do with any federal judicial institution to disrupt it. So, we should understand this fact and play according to the rule.”

    The governor wondered why some self-serving people bent bent on hatching their plot to derail the course of the election when states that had no duly elected local government councils across the country were endeavouring to do so in order not to run foul of the Supreme Court ruling.

    He said: “10 States of the federation have conducted elections with 2023 voter register. I don’t know why things of Rivers State are always different. Is it that when it comes to the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where it concerns Rivers State, it’s a different thing?

    “Anyway, today, we are here to assure you that as a government, we are prepared to support the electoral body to conduct a free, fair and credible election for the peace-loving people Rivers State.”

  • Rivers LG election will produce new political structure, says Fubara

    Rivers LG election will produce new political structure, says Fubara

    Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara said Saturday’s proposed Local Government election will produce a new political structure owned by the Rivers people.

    The Governor spoke when he received on solidarity visit leaders and members of the Simplicity Movement led by High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    High Chief Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, was also the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in the 2023 election in Rivers.

    Fubara in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi,  said he hardly came out to receive people but he personally received the group to show respect to the leadership of the Simplicity Movement.

    Fubara said:  “Our journey is just starting. We are preparing for election on the 5th of October. I want you to participate actively in that election. 

    “That election is going to be the turnaround. That election is the rebirth of a new and strong structure that doesn’t belong to anybody; and you can see that that is why they are running everywhere to stop it.

    “What is structure? Structure is ownership: the one who controls the LGA; the one who controls the resources; the one who gives employment to our local people; the one who shares the State and the local government resources among its people. And that is what I want this government to stand for (and defend in the interest of the people).”

    Read Also: Clash of umbrella, elephant, broom in Rivers confusing political identity

    He explained the group and its leadership were people, who on their volition decided to declare support to his administration.

    He said: “You know at this time, people are paying people money but we don’t do it. People come out on their own to show support to us. Knowing the calibre of the founder of this group, knowing the role he has played with other people, and him choosing to be part of the success of our administration, I said I was going to honour him by coming to address you.”

    Fubara commended the group for their decision to identify with his administration, and enjoined them to remain firm in their commitment to defend and protect the interest of Rivers State at all times.

    He said: “We must defend the dignity of our State. We must ensure that the commonwealth of this State belongs to everyone. That is why our slogan is ‘Rivers First’. Because we believe that if we take Rivers first, there won’t be crime. If we take Rivers first, there won’t be hunger. If we take Rivers first, there will be employment.”

    Fubara told them that the journey of liberating the state had begun, adding that the forthcoming election would  be another opportunity for Rivers people to witness the rebirth of truly new political structure.

    He urged them to freely participate in the election describing it as an important ingredient that would help his administration to chart the second phase of the struggle.

    Fubara pointed to the need for them to continue to maintain the peace that he had always preached all the time.

    He told the group that the state was dear to him, stressing that anyone, who loved the state would understand the importance of maintaining peace. 

    He said:  “Anybody who is taking the side of violence doesn’t love the State. That is the truth! If you love the State, you will take to the path of peace. So, please, while you go about supporting me, maintain law and order. Be peaceful.

    “So, continue to be strong for Rivers State, not for Fubara. I can also say this here: If Fubara is not here, God would have also provided another person that would have also taken this course, because it is a divine course. That is the truth!

    “But, however, we are the ones here. We will stand with you, and with your support, we will walk the talk to the end.”

  • Nothing will stop Rivers council poll, Fubara vows

    Nothing will stop Rivers council poll, Fubara vows

    Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has insisted that the Local Government election scheduled for next Saturday will hold. 

    He said that there is no encumbrance known to law to stop it.

    The Governor urged political parties and candidates in the election and electorate to prepare for the poll designed to elect new political leaders at the council level.

    Fubara spoke when he visited the complex of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) where he interacted with the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli and other principal staff. 

    The Governor said: “Our election will hold on the 5th of October, 2024. I’m aware that RSIEC told me that they already had an order mandating them to conduct the election on the 5th October, 2024, and the security agencies to support them. 

    “So, I think with that order, the election will hold. I might not be a lawyer but I know there is something they call first-in-hand, and since they have the first-in- hand, we will give them all the necessary support for that election to be conducted. And it will be one of the best elections ever conducted free and fair in this State.”

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    Addressing RSIEC staff, Fubara said he had been inundated with rumours of plans by some misguided fellows to disrupt activities at the commission, and warned such persons to retrace their steps.

    Fubara said: “What is important to me is the interest of Rivers State, that it has to be alive. It doesn’t belong to anybody. I don’t care who nominated you but do the right thing, that is what is important to me, because if we make a mistake today, it is going to live with us forever.

    “Nobody has a right to come here. This is Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. It belongs to Rivers State, and I am the Governor. So, if their is anything, let me know, I will come here myself.”

    The Governor also inspected some sections of the 12.5km N225.1billion Trans-Kalabari Road project on Monday.

    Commenting on the Trans-Kalabari Road project, Fubara: “We are in Rumuolumeni, which is the starting point of the Trans-Kalabari Road. If you remember when we came to flag off this project, it is a project that will connect the Tombia people to the city.

    “So, we just came for inspection to see the progress of the job. I can say I am not too impressed, but considering the terrain, it is not a normal strong land where you just go clean the earth and just lay your asphalt. 

    “But I have told them that I need more speed because this project is very important project for me. As a matter of fact, I see it as one of my legacy projects. It is important that I achieve it before we complete our tenure”.