Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that there is a greater and more assuring resolve in his administration to follow his course lawfully to the end concerning the festering political crisis in the state.
The Governor, therefore, urged his supporters and all Rivers people to eschew violence and conduct themselves in compliance with the rule of law, as he is already on top of the situation.
Governor Fubara spoke at Tema Junction, the venue of the ceremony for the official inauguration of Emohua-Kalabari (Tema Junction) Road project in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, on Friday.
The project inauguration was performed by the senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
Governor Fubara assured that he will continue to lead the state with the fear of God and guided by the laws of the land, adding that he would never let Rivers people down, including all those who believe in his leadership.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support. I want to thank you specially for your support during the time of the election; before, during and the wonderful support we are getting now after the election. And the support is what is shocking the whole world.
“We don’t have any Assembly members, like they said. We don’t have any local government chairman, like they said. But we have the people. Having people is the most important thing. I assure the people that we will not disappoint them.”
Governor Fubara emphasised: “We will lead as a government that has the fear of God, purposeful for the people. I assure you that we will not let you down. We will not bring any form of disgrace.
“But I am not asking you to be violent. No need for it. The most important thing is our course: we will follow it lawfully to the end. And by the special grace of God, we are on top of the situation.”
Governor Fubara encouraged the people to continue to support the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government, and ensure that they are protecting important government installations in Kalabari land.
The Governor observed the troubling issues of unabated illegal bunkering activities and vandalism of critical state infrastructure, which have caused a depletion of inflow of revenue to the federation accounts.
Governor Fubara, who particularly said that recurring reports of the Nigerian Navy emphasised the preponderance of such activities in the area, tasked youths to stop engaging in such economic sabotage.
“When you watch or read most of the reports on the activities by the Nigerian Navy, you will see that greater part of these bunkering activities are done, especially in this area.
“I want to appeal to you; there are other justifiable and clean means of livelihood. We must not subject ourselves to economic sabotage. Please, I am appealing to you; it is better we desist from it.
“I am going to constitute a very high-powered delegation that will visit these areas, and talk to the leadership: the chiefs and the community heads and leaders, so that we can improve on our present state.
“When we have (exploited) more crude oil resources from this area, it brings in more resources (finances) to the state. It brings more resources (finances) to the country. Mr President can do more projects, and the state can also do more projects. After all, you will want me to do more projects. So, support me in this fight to end illegal bunkering and oil pipeline vandalization.”
Commenting on the Emohua-Kalabari Road project, Governor Fubara said it was awarded on the 18th February, 2023, by the immediate past administration at the cost of N21.2 billion but only paid N6 billion.
Governor Fubara stated that his administration paid the remainder of N15.2 billion and completed 70 percent of the job to confidently claim it as part of his projects delivered for the good of the people in Kalabari land.