I’ve efficiently defended my proper to manipulate Rivers -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that his administration inherited 34 uncompleted tasks, valued at over N225. 279bn unfold throughout 13 native authorities areas of the state.
Fubara additionally disclosed that beneath his watch, the state authorities awarded 9 new highway tasks, valued at N534.332bn.
This is whilst he described as vicious and existential, the political disaster that was waged in opposition to his administration, barely three months after take-off on May 29, 2023.
The governor assured all that the worst was over as a result of his administration had efficiently defended the rights and privileges to manipulate the state and advance its progress in liberty and freedom with out compromise.
Fubara mentioned these whereas presenting an account of stewardship and scorecard to mark the primary anniversary of his administration in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The governor mentioned, “We began this journey with a bang. We have been centered. We have been decided to make the change we promised with a way of urgency.
“But then, someway, we instantly discovered ourselves within the cesspit of disaster barely three months into our tenure. It was not simply an extraordinary political disaster. It was a vicious existential disaster.
“But thank goodness, the worst is over. We have successfully defended our rights and opportunity to govern our state and advance its progress in freedom, and we will continue to prevail.”
Fubara acknowledged that since then, lots has modified within the political panorama, including that he stays dedicated to the covenant taken a 12 months in the past to place Rivers State first, defend her curiosity, and be sure that the individuals get the dividends of democracy and good governance.
He added, “For us, any authorities price its title have to be accountable, responsive, and chargeable for the safety and well-being of the individuals.
“Having managed the affairs of our state for one 12 months, together with allotting public assets, it is just correct that we render account with a public presentation of our efficiency document.
“I am, therefore, pleased to stand before you to present our scorecard for the first year we have been in office as the Executive arm of the Government of Rivers State.”
He mirrored on his promise to ship on the core priorities of financial progress, infrastructure, healthcare, schooling, and agriculture, as contained in his blueprint as a resolve to construct a virile, resilient, and progressive State that caters to the wants of the individuals.
The governor mentioned he was proud to report that, regardless of the unprecedented challenges, his first 12 months in workplace witnessed important achievements seen to everyone.
Fubara mentioned that he inherited a state whose economic system was on a declining trajectory regardless of its progress potential however inside one 12 months of his administration, the damaging narrative had modified for the higher.
The governor revealed that he arrange an Internally Generated Revenue Investment Advisory Committee that he chairs to coordinate actions within the sector that has elevated the influx of financial investments to the State.
He added, “We additionally wanted to draw investments into the state and improve our internally generated income base as an excessive amount of reliance on federal allocations was a problem to the realisation of our growth targets.
“We, therefore, set up an IGR/Investment Advisory Committee, which is helping us to navigate our course for increased economic investments and internally generated revenue to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and advance the welfare and well-being of our people.”
Fubara emphasised, “Our liberalised business-friendly financial insurance policies and programmes are boosting confidence and attracting native and worldwide traders and investments into the State, judging by the expression of curiosity presents we obtain each month.
“We have stored our taxes low, frozen the imposing of taxes on small companies throughout the state, and elevated the convenience of doing enterprise within the state by eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks. No request for the signing of a certificates of occupancy stays in my workplace past two days, besides if I’m in any other case engaged past two days or out of city.
“One year down the line, and we believe we are succeeding. Our internally generated revenue witnessed an astronomical increase from N12 billion to between N17 billion in off-peak periods and N28 billion during the peak months.”
Continuing, he mentioned, “We have established a N4 billion matching fund with the Bank of Industry to support existing and new micro, small, and medium-sized businesses to grow their businesses to drive economic growth and create jobs and wealth for citizens. Over 3,000 citizens and residents have applied to access this loan to fund their businesses at a single-digit interest rate, and a repayment period of up to five years.”
He expressed his perception in utilizing infrastructure as key to sustainable growth, which was why, he defined, he didn’t abandon “the 34 uncompleted projects that he inherited, valued at over N225.279 billion spread across 13 local government areas of the state”.
The governor additionally mentioned that 12 of these tasks have been accomplished and put to make use of whereas development work is ongoing on the others, with 9 new highway tasks initiated by his administration valued at N534.332 billion.
Fubara acknowledged that aside from the Port Harcourt Ring Road mission which is funded with the mortgage, different formidable tasks of his administration such because the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road, Okania-Ogbogoro Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road are funded from gathered IGR and federal allocations financial savings.
He defined, “I want to emphasize that with a mixed value of N528.6billion, the 50.15 kilometres Port Harcourt dual-carriage Ring Road, the dualisation of Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road tasks are three most formidable highway tasks ever carried out by any Governor in Rivers State.
“The 50.15 kilometres Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Ring Road, with six flyovers, one river crossing, walkways, drains, streetlights, and spanning six native authorities areas, was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at a complete value of N195.3billion for a 36-month completion interval.
“The velocity with which the mission is advancing exhibits that this administration is in a rush to ship this mission even earlier than the due date with the 77 per cent down cost of N150billion to the contractor. Presently, work on the mission is progressing satisfactorily from six completely different areas.
“The 33.5-kilometre Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road was awarded on the 26th of March, 2024 at a total cost of N80.886billion to Craneburge Construction Company with a down payment of 50 per cent of the contract sum and 24-month completion timeline. The contractor has since commenced work on this project, ” Fubara mentioned
The governor mentioned a lot has been achieved within the well being sector with Rivers State Emergency Ambulance Service resuscitated, amenities upgraded on the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, 1,000 medical personnel employed, and 35 main healthcare centres empowered to perform maximally.
He assured all that his administration was dedicated to financial diversification via agriculture, stressing that efforts are at high gear to draw severe traders to take over and revive all state-owned farms and agricultural property.
The goal, he emphasised, is to harness the massive agricultural potential of the State to reinforce meals safety, develop the economic system, create jobs and generate income for the federal government and stakeholders.
He mentioned, “In addition, we have concluded plans to engage our youths in profitable agriculture, and applied to participate in the second phase of the Special Agro-processing Zones project of the African Development Bank, and all other agriculture development schemes of the Federal Government.”
In the schooling sector, Fubara defined that he inherited a number of uncompleted secondary faculties’ reconstruction and different tasks.
Among different efforts made, Governor Fubara mentioned: “On assumption of workplace, we shortly launched funds to finish these faculties and ship them for public use.
“To this finish, we made closing funds of N701,943,233,05 for the completion and supply of Community Secondary School, Rumuepirikom; N355,682,471.99 for Kalabari National College; N329,330,552.25 for Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; N379,793,277.60 for Government Secondary School, Eneka; N461,973,829.38 for Government Secondary School, Emohua; N134,600,000.00 for Comprehensive Secondary School, Alesa–Eleme; N1,142,279,618.17 for Community Secondary School, Koroma, Tai; N1,863,213,093.13 for Government Comprehensive School, Okarki; N585,084,678.80 for Government Secondary School, Ataba; and N2,092,313,561.19 for Government Girls Secondary School, Ahoada.
“We additionally launched N193,785,313.00 for the reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Kunusha, N1,500,000,000.00 for the reconstruction of Okrika Grammar School; N612,632,677.94 for the furnishing of the University of Port Harcourt Convocation Arena; and N700,000,000.00 for the dual hostel tasks on the Yenagoa campus of the Nigerian Law School.
“We released N1,902,334,833.33 as matching funds for the Universal Basic Education Board for the provision of infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of basic education schools. It is noteworthy that the State’s Universal Basic Education Board has used funds released to rehabilitate over 50 basic education schools across the State,” he added.
He listed different tasks and programmes undertaken by the administration throughout numerous sectors in addition to the monetary commitments made to make sure high quality mission supply inside specs and timelines.
Fubara mentioned the cost of wage to civil servants has been sustained, including that an engineering agency has been engaged to do a structural evaluation of what might be performed to offer the Rivers State Secretariat Complex a facelift.
Speaking on the occasion because the Chairman of the event, former consultant of Rivers East Senatorial District on the National Assembly, Senator John Azuta Mbata, mentioned the essence of democracy and sovereignty is for leaders to serve the individuals, be accountable to them and work to enhance their well-being.
Mbata acknowledged that the governor has distinguished himself as a servant-leader whose one 12 months in workplace is momentous, stuffed with monumental accomplishments, and has such audacity to embark on an uncommon phenomenon of reporting again to the individuals on how he has served them.
The chairman emphasised that Fubara, by conducting himself as answerable to the individuals, has set a document troublesome to match for upholding accountability and democracy, sustaining public belief, and fostering good governance.
He mentioned, “So, we’re glad that such an event has introduced itself on this State, the place our servant-leader is earlier than the individuals to offer account and present his scorecard. I congratulate you most heartily for this nice achievement.
“Popular sovereignty precept connotes the truth that energy belongs to the individuals. It is the people who leaders are referred to as upon to serve. The individuals play the position of selecting their leaders via common and periodic elections, and in addition the individuals have the mandate to resume or refuse to resume the mandate periodically.
“It is accountability that ensures responsibility and transparent exercise of power in the public interest. Accountability provides the opportunity for the players to explain and account for their performance in office. I am proud that His Excellency has chosen the path of transparency and accountability as Governor of Rivers State,” he mentioned.
In his welcome deal with, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, described Governor Fubara as an eagle chief.
Such a frontrunner, Danagogo defined, flies increased and touches the sky with velocity and accuracy at hitting his goal with none noise making in fixing many societal and human issues that provide succour to the individuals.
He mentioned over the previous 12 months, Governor Fubara has championed what he referred to as, ‘a quiet and noiseless revolution’ whereby he had labored assiduously, carried out excellently and achieved what appeared virtually inconceivable.
On such a day, Dr Danagogo acknowledged, “Governor Fubara, who is the people’s Governor, decided to present a vivid account of his stewardship to the people on how public funds have been deployed judiciously in delivering critical projects and social services.”
Wike and Fubara have been engaged in a protracted feud, which necessitated the intervention of President Bola Tinub to diffuse the rising stress within the state.
A number of weeks in the past, 5 pro-Wike commissioners resigned for the second time final week, citing a hostile working surroundings.
These resignations got here after 4 others had beforehand stepped down.
