Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has shed light on his surprise visit to the residential quarters of the State House of Assembly.
News About Nigeria understands that the visit, which took place on Thursday, was part of the governor’s inspection of the 15.24-kilometre dual carriageway road project from Emohua to Abalama-Tema Junction.
According to Governor Fubara, the purpose of his visit to the assembly quarters was to assess the condition of the structures and identify areas that require rehabilitation work.
He said that the facility is a state government property and needs to be well-maintained.
With a new speaker recently appointed, Governor Fubara explained that he wanted to see firsthand what needed to be done to make the quarters conducive for lawmakers.
He said, “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong with going to check how things are going on 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 good of our people.”
The governor also spoke about the road project, which was inherited from the previous administration.
He noted that while his administration bore the greater chunk of the cost, it was justified to add it to the list of projects to be commissioned during his one-year anniversary.
Governor Fubara also narrated the benefits of the road project, which has reduced travel time from Emohua to Tema Junction from 30-45 minutes to less than 15 minutes.
He said his administration’s focus is on prioritising the good of the people and making governance about the people.
In his words, “As a matter of fact, we added this section of the road as one of the projects we will be commissioning. So, I needed to see it myself, and what is remaining is just the lighting. By the grace of God, we will commission it.”
“We feel justified to add it as our project and to commission it for the good of our people here. Governance is all about the people. When the people are out of the centre of governance, then it is no longer governance.
“So, this road, as we all now know, was in a very bad state. A lot of criminal activities were being carried out here: kidnapping and all sorts of things. So, putting this road in order is appropriate.
“You can see the little hour we spent coming here. Before, it takes you 30 to 45 minutes to drive from Emohua to this place. But look at it, less than 15 minutes we are here. So, it is about the people, the good of the people, making life easy for the people. That is the way I see governance. Anything outside that has nothing to do with me.”
It should be recalled that on Wednesday, a factional speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly emerged.
The newly-elected Speaker, Victor Oko Jumbo, has said that his election into office is legal and constitutional.
The speaker is loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
