Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara says most contractors that were engaged by the immediate past administration were owed varies amount of money.
Governor Fubara said the debt is huge and has become a burden because the contractors have demanded for payment.
The governor made the revelation at Ebubu Community.
That was the venue of the inauguration of the reconstructed 10.89 KM long Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State on Tuesday.
He said, “This is to let the world know that if there is one problem this administration has, it is the huge debt burden.
“Most of the projects that are being commissioned, the contractors are coming for their balance-payment and it is running into billions.
“I have said that I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to talk because I was part of that system.
“But, when you keep pushing me to talk, I will say it so that the people will know the true situation of things and be properly informed.”
Taking about the project, governor Fubara said: “I am happy to be here and to join the good people of Rivers State to start this wonderful celebration of our first anniversary in the face of all the troubles.
“It shows that we are still focused, not minding the level of distractions.
“This road was awarded to CCECC as a contractor. It was awarded on the 14th of August, 2023.
I believe that 14th of August was within my tenure. I am not saying ‘I’, but it was this administration that awarded it.
“This project was awarded at the cost of N6.7billion, and I can say boldly that no kobo is remaining.
“We’ve paid the contractor its complete sum. Our gathering here is to tell our people that their problem is our problem.”
The governor also said: “What we are doing today, is it not help to the Federal Government?
” Is it not a show that this Government has the interest of the people at heart and it is supporting and doing everything to make the Federal Government succeed?
“So, when people come out and say some funny things, I laugh. Why are we doing this? When this administration came on board, Mr President christened his mantra ‘Renewed Hope’ to give Nigerians hope.
“What we are doing today in this State is giving our people that hope to complement what Mr President is doing at the national level.
“It is not about social media. We are talking about action. Genuine actions that make positive impact in the lives of our people.”
Governor Fubara further stated: “I invited him because he is not an artificial integrity man. He is an action integrity man.
“He is not like the one who would gather to talk because they just want to talk.
“He is a man who came into office, in the face of difficulties and challenges, just like we are here, but he is making impact in the lives of Abians.
“So, I will continue to identify with good governance. I will continue to identify with people who want to make impact in the lives of the people. Our Government, as we promised you on day one: the people first.
“We are talking about Federal Government that is giving us support, and we appreciate their support.
“But there is a rat in the house that is eating the bags of garri. So, you can imagine such situation.”
The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti inaugurated the project and congratulated Governor Fubara for executing a road project in Eleme community where he had once lived.
“I have always said it that leadership is about service. Anytime leadership departs from service, then, you are getting it wrong.
“Service should be service to the people, not service to self or very few interests.
“Anytime you are serving few people rather than the majority, you need to go and look at yourself again.
“So, for me, it’s all about good governance.
“Clearly, Governor Fubara came prepared, and I don’t believe that any distraction is enough to take his focus away from improving the welfare and interest of the people.
“So, I can assure you, Rivers people, that the dividends of democracy that you are seeing now is still a dress rehearsal.
“It is early in the morning, and I am sure that in no distance future, you will be seeing more.”
“Power belongs to God, no human can arrogate to himself the capacity to give power, except you have the capacity to give life. Of course, you can take life, but you cannot give it.”
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Engr. Atemia Briggs, said the road that is 10.89 KM long, has a width of 10.5 meters, with a drain length of 10.1 KM was awarded on 14th August, 2023 to CCECC.
On his part, the Executive Director, South-South Region of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Engr. Eric Shen thanked the government for trusting them with the project.
Engr Shen noted the cooperation they got from the communities, and said they confronted the challenges of heavy vehicular traffic, daily business activities by traders on the road, and the rains to deliver the project on schedule.
In his welcome remark, the former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Hon Orji Ngofa said the project, popularly known as the Old Bori Road, collapsed because more vehicles plied the road, diverting from the East-West Road.
He thanked governor Fubara for completing the project on schedule.
The Oneh-Eh Eleme, Chief Philip Osaro Obele conferred on Governor Fubara, the traditional title of Emere Ajuri Oneh of Eleme (meaning King of Peace of Eleme Kingdom).
