Fubara Recommits To Advancing Living Standards of Rivers People
By: Barikui Felix, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reiterated his administration’s commitment to advancing the living standards of Rivers people by providing efficient and modern basic amenities. Governor Fubara spoke at the inauguration of the Rivers State Fire Service Sub-Station at Rumuodomaya in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The governor assured that, with the improved status, the Fire Service Station will offer prompt response to combating fire emergencies and safeguard the lives and property of area residents.
He said he is so excited to showcase to the world the third Fire Service Station, which has been unveiled within the past few days, and was initiated to make life safer for Rivers people.
“I feel very happy again to stand before you to showcase, again, one of the things that we have done to show that the interest of our people is most important in our administration. There is nothing I want to say now that I have not said before. When we unveiled the remodelled Headquarters of the Rivers State Fire Service, I informed you that we have two attached sub-stations.”
“We unveiled the Borokiri substation yesterday and this particular one today. You already know the essence of this project. We have to safeguard the lives of our people and the property of every citizen of Rivers State, which is the primary function of governance,” Fubara stated.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the people of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area for their unwavering support and assurances given to his administration, saying:
“We can feel your support here. I want to also appreciate the support of the good people of Rivers State, who kept believing in us. We know that your trust is the right thing, and that you are standing on the side of truth. I want to assure you that we will continue to do what is right to make life better and advance the State.”
Inaugurating the project, an elder statesman, Chief Hanny Woko, said a state without a functional fire service station is partially a failed state because according to him, its citizens will only rely on the mercy of God to combat fire incidences.
Woko, who noted that the project will serve to secure lives and property within Rumuodomaya Community and environs, thanked Governor Fubara for demonstrating genuine love to Ikwerre people in particular and Rivers people in general.
He said: “We thank you for continuing governance without minding distractions all over. It’s even very important to know that in the heat of the crisis, you are still going about commissioning projects. There are projects lined up for two weeks. You have come to serve Rivers State, and be rest assured that Rivers people will protect this democracy and protect you. There is no pretense about it: the love is organic, and we will make sure we continue to support you.”
He stated further that Ikwerres are grateful to Rivers people who supported them to serve as governors for 16 unbroken years, stressing that it is only proper that Ikwerre people support other tribes, particularly Governor Fubara, to serve his tenure without truncating it.
“Equity and fairplay demand that we allow our Ijaw Ethnic Group to serve out their tenure. Be rest assured, Your Excellency, that you have the support of the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality. I want to use this opportunity to call on every reasonable Rivers son and daughter to know that there should be an end to every conflict. Rivers State has been, always, in the news for the negative reasons, and we condemn that,” Woko said.
The elder statesman urged politicians in the state to borrow a leaf from sister states and allow governance to thrive in the state.
Describing the project description, the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya, said the Rumuodomaya Fire Service Sub-Station was abandoned shortly after it was built by the administration of Chibuike Amaechi, explaining how Governor Fubara ensured the sub-station became functional with the structures rehabilitated, providing 54 offices, staff quarters, brand new fire trucks, and water tank of 45,000 litres.
Earlier in his address, the Head of Local Government Administration of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Mr Ichechi Amadi, said the rehabilitated structures and newly purchased fire trucks will motivate personnel and improve their response capacity to fire incidents that have destroyed lives and property worth billions of naira for years in the area.
