The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, clarified that his visit to the residential quarters of the State House of Assembly was to visually assess the condition of the buildings for potential renovation to restore their quality and make them suitable for living.
This information was included in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, and forwarded to journalists on Thursday.
Fubara declared that the Assembly quarters are within his jurisdiction as a state property and stated that with the appointment of a new speaker, the facility would be improved.
He asked, “Aren't the assembly quarters part of my property? Is there anything wrong with checking how things are there?
“You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are.
“There might be a few things I might want to do there for the benefit of our people.”
The governor, who strolled around the facility, mentioned that he chose to visit the place to better understand what needs to be done to make the quarters suitable for lawmakers.
Regarding the 15.24-kilometer Emohua – Abalama -Tema Junction dual carriageway road project, Fubara said he was evaluating the progress of the work to determine any additional requirements before the road's inauguration during his one-year anniversary.
He stated, “In fact, we included this section of the road as one of the projects we will be commissioning.
“So, I needed to see it for myself, and all that remains is the installation of lighting. God willing, we will inaugurate it.”
The governor emphasized that the road project was inherited from the previous administration, but his administration covered a significant portion of the cost.
He explained, “We believe it is justified to consider it our project and inaugurate it for the benefit of our people here.
“Governance is all about the people. When the people are removed from the center of governance, it ceases to be governance.
“Therefore, this road, as we are all aware, was in very poor condition. Various criminal activities, such as kidnapping, were prevalent here. Therefore, rehabilitating this road is appropriate.”
The governor also noted, “You can see the reduced travel time. Previously, it would take 30 to 45 minutes to drive from Emohua to this place. But now, in less than 15 minutes, we are here.
“So, it is about the people, their well-being, and making life easier for them. That is my perception of governance. Anything outside of that does not concern me.
“It is not about me. It's not about my personal glory. I am merely an instrument that God is using to provide assistance to the good people of Rivers State, particularly the people of Kalabari extraction.”
The PUNCH reported that the pro-Fubara lawmakers on Wednesday elected Victor Oko-Jumbo, the representative of Bonny Constituency, as the factional Speaker, while Sokari Goodboy, the representative of Ahead East, was elected as the factional House Leader.
