Rivers govt to mark Fubara’s first year in office with people centred projects

Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja

Rivers State Government has released an outline of people centred projects to mark the celebration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s first year in office.

This was made known when the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, who doubles as the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, unveiled the programme of activities for the anniversary that will begin on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Briefing Journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Dr Danagogo said 10 people centred projects have been earmarked for inauguration and flag-off in various local government areas of the state.

The SSG, disclosed that the first project to be commissioned would be the old Bori Road to ease traffic and serve as an alternative route to the busy Eleme axis of the East-West Road.

Highlighting infrastructural projects due for commissioning, the SSG indicated that the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road, the Elele-Omoku Road, the Phase 2 of the Trans-Kalabari Road, Omoku-Egbema road, Okania-Ogbogoro Road and the Egbeda Internal Roads are billed for 15th, 16th, 17th and 20th 24th and 25th of May, 2024.

He said, “We would start on Tuesday 14th May and in that day, we would be commissioning the Old Bori Road which is to serve as an alternative to the East-West Road currently under construction.

“Wednesday 15th May, commissioning of the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road. Thursday 16th May, Flag- off of the Elele-Omoku Road. Friday 17th May, Commissioning of Dualised Emohua-Kalabari Road.

“20th May Commissioning of Egbeda Internal Roads. On 21st May, Commissioning of phase 1 of the Port Harcourt Electrical Village and Flagging-off of phase 2 of Port Harcourt Electrical Village.”

Danagogo added that the government will also hold an economic investment summit 2024 on the 22nd and 23rd, May, with a focus on increasing the state’s internally generated revenue, attracting investment, and ensuring job creation.

He further maintained that May 27th which coincides with Children’s Day will be marked by activities for children to be hosted by the governor’s wife Lady Valerie Fubara during the day, while a state banquet will hold in the evening to commemorate both the Fubara’s first year in office and the 57th anniversary of the state’s creation.

“Other days of the anniversary celebration will feature the launch of a youth development programme on May 28th and an accountability forum on May 29th, where Governor Fubara will present his performance report from the past 12 months, with an opportunity for journalists and the public to directly scrutinies facts”

Explaining, he said May 31 has been reserved for the presentation of certificates to certain traditional rulers with pending certificates, followed by night of praise, while June 1 is for the Rivers International Marathon which the state government hopes to make a regular event to encourage tourism and promote healthy lifestyles.

According to the SSG, another highlight of the commemoration will be the publication of a comprehensive book detailing his administration’s accomplishments, including project costs and specifications to be distributed during an account of stewardship scheduled for May 29th.

“We have a very concise programme of activities just to mark the Governor’s first year in office with this 20-day programme of events.

He explained that Governor Fubara’s administration is a “calm and quiet revolution,” with commitment for prudent management of resources, noting that only a handful of projects were chosen from various localities, clarifying that all the projects to be commissioned, except one, was started by the previous administration.

“In his characteristic style of embarking on what we have come to know as calm and quiet revolution, Governor Fubara does not want us to embark on an elaborate voyage of celebrations over a long period, spending so much money on funfare, that is not what he is about.

“He wants us to just do exactly what is crucial and critical to let the people know what the government is doing and the direction of the government. Most of his activities, the focus on the government, the projects embarked upon, everything would be published in a book that would be distributed during the account of stewardship which is part of the activities that would take place during this first year activities.

“The book, which is the scorecard would give you every detail, kobo by kobo of what the Governor has been doing, which projects he met, at what stage he met it and how far he has taken it to and everything other details that you would want to know that your government is doing.

“Like you can see, we only picked just a few projects to indicate to the people that even in your area, something is happening. All the projects that are completed or being completed will be on the scorecard to be presented by the governor during the Accountability Forum, we feel there is no need going round on a one-month jamboree of projects commissioning. Most of the projects already completed are already in use across the state.”