Special Edition
Rivers State Has Maintained Her Leadership Spot – Amaechi
Text of valedictory speech by His Excellency Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Con, Governor of Rivers State, on May 28 2015
Governor Chibuike Amaechi
My dear people of Rivers State,
Once more I address you as the Governor of Rivers State, and historically, the last as the Administration we have anchored these past seven years reaches its home stretch. Together, we have made it a date with History. Together we have run a race anchored on God and His might. We have shown the world that together, we can overcome our giants in a manner peculiar to our destiny. It has been our honour to have served Rivers people at a time such as this and it is with a lot of gratitude to God that we draw the curtains on what has been an eventful and successful tenure. Our History has added pages in honour to our determination to harvest and harness the best in our diversity.
When God gave us the privilege to steer the mantle of leadership of our great state in 2007, we arrived with the zeal to leave the state better than we would have met it. The obvious risks and booby-traps were not lost on us. We foresaw the long, narrow, winding road ahead, but we trusted that God would guide us and true to His faithfullness, God has proved His goodness and mercy.
In the face of daunting challenges that threatened our future, insecurity leading the pack, we hit the ground running and soon, our state became a haven and factory of sort. Across the three senatorial districts, we distributed development projects to meet peculiar demands of the people. We had a deliberate programme to transform the life of the Rivers man and woman, boy and girl. As far as we were concerned, no sacrifice was too great to make; no consecration was too demanding to offer if only it was for a better and greater Rivers State. Our decisions hinged on your choices as we believed you were the reason God called us to service.
In 2007 when we came on board, life in Rivers state was placed at mere street value with bandits sharing our communities into various fiefdoms of their choice. Life itself became a burden. Our potentials as a people had become a burden as our youths had exchanged their strength with banditry. But we resolved that as long as we lived, our state would not be an Armageddon, a central pot for war and drug lords. We understood how dangerous it was to engage those hoodlums but we were resolved to engage them for the sake of Rivers State. No sacrifice would be too much for our beloved state.
Dear Rivers people, our journey had not been one without sharp bends and cliffs. As you all know, we have had to work even when it was unpalatable to defend the territory and heritage bequeathed us by our brave forbears and progenitors. No true steward of the people’s resources would stand by and watch it be systematically balkanised and taken away one resource after another. We stood our ground that we were elected to give our people leadership using our God-given resources. We became cannon fodder to prevent the rape of our collective destiny and our children’s future. We decided that our resources must be committed into our future. We rejected the retrogressive thought that our commonwealth should be in the pockets of a few persons. We insisted that public service demanded probity and fiscal discipline. That became our mantra and the people our motivation.
Today we are resolute that faced with the same dilemma, we would put our people and their interest first over and over again.
My dear people of Rivers State, as we submit our scorecard to History, and to you, we affirm that we did our best in the circumstances in which we found ourselves. We do not pretend that we achieved all our dreams and aspirations or that we were perfect and beyond reproach. Rather we submit to you that we worked with sincerity of purpose and accountability.
There is no doubt that Nigeria, in the last seven years, went through severe social and economic downturns. Rivers State suffered no lesser consequence. Despite what is now a colossal national decline, our Administration maintained a healthy balance sheet. For the years running, Rivers state maintained an economic and fiscal rating only associated with solid economies. We ensured that our civil servants received their salaries, as at when due until only recently. As at today, we have commenced the payment of April salaries and parastatal pensions. We have made the requisite provisions and expect all salary payments to be concluded as funds are received
In the midst of redundant national economic output, greased by dwindling revenue, our Administration maintained steady economic policies favourable to marginal growth. Rivers State maintained her leadership spot in Nigeria’s rung of economic rating. Under our watch, Rivers State economy and potentials for doing business grew to a position of envy that outside Lagos, our state was Nigeria’s next economic giant.
Today, Rivers state is the least indebted state with a loan portfolio of N17.7 billion to banks owed as follows:
Agriculture loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria – N2 billion
Zenith bank plc – N15.7 billion.
Our loan from Access bank will be on zero balance by the end of the month.
With regards to contractor loans, our indebtedness is as contained in the various handover notes of the ministries, departments and agencies.
With regards to our pensioners we owe three months payment arrears although parastatal pensions will stand at two months of arrears with the current payments that we have begun. You will recall that when we assumed office our pensioners were owed pension arrears of over N4.5billion. A situation, which we found unacceptable and strove to resolve. It is our firm belief that those of our compatriots who have served our state so meritoriously should not be denied the benefit of retiring in peace and comfort. We recommend the same attitude to those who may come after us.
Sector by sector, our policies promoted healthy competition where rivalry was positive and dynamic.
PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SECURITY
By the time we came into office, armed gangs had practically overrun the entire Rivers State. There was no other option to us than to fight. In doing so, we were aware that the battle would be in both physical and social fronts. We also realised that Rivers State is the nerve centre of the hydrocarbon industry entrusted with pipelines to export terminals. We therefore had the duty of protecting the national economic asset. We began with massive weaponry to the police and other security agencies. Apart from heavy involvement in training and welfare of security personnel, the Rivers State government invested heavily in top class security equipment and is the only state with a central command security structure that enables all security agencies in the state share information in real time. This was how the war against organised crime and armed gangs began.
EDUCATION
Education is one the strongest areas of focus by this Administration. Under our watch these last seven years, our educational system witnessed transformation in infrastructure and service delivery.
Although constrained by the reduction of our revenue by more than half, our administration is proud of undeniable successes in our educational sector such as infrastructure revolution: Building and equipping over 311 world class primary schools and five model secondary schools; The retraining and recertification of teachers with the involvement of the British Council in Port Harcourt; Total elimination of strikes and disruptions by takeover of payment of salaries of primary school teachers amounting to about N2bn per month; Recruitment of 13,210 teachers; Establishment of the Quality Assurance Agency; Introduction of Free Education up to secondary school level; Abolition of all fees in schools; Annual oversees scholarships in strategic branches of knowledge; Establishment of skills acquisition institutions to draw attention to self-employment and entrepreneurship; and above all, the outsourcing of management of schools in the state.
The icing on the cake perhaps is the transformation of the UST from 79th to best state university in Nigeria and 12th over all best. There is also the establishment of a university of education.
As part of the Administration’s deliberate academic growth policy, we sent our children to schools overseas, while working on improving our facilities in the state. Back home, we sent others to rated secondary schools and universities. We are proud of our achievements in the education sector; and are equally proud of our children who proved that given conducive locale, they could compete with the world’s best and brightest. We have given over 3000 scholarships to our deserving children within and outside the country. Even with mounting pressure and competing interests made the education of our children a priority as indeed it should be. N800,000 ( Eight hundred million Naira) has been released to the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency in this light to enable it pay down some of its obligations to our scholars.
HEALTH:
The philosophy of this administration remains the need to create easy access to healthcare through preventive healthcare delivery policy, disease control, boosting access to primary healthcare facilities to reduce pressure on the secondary healthcare centres (General Hospitals), and reduction of foreign medical trips by establishing world class health facilities in the state.
Our programs in healthcare these seven years promoted child and maternal mortality. We committed personnel and resources to a better healthcare delivery for our people. Thus, we are proud of such milestones as 436 additional doctors, 400 additional nurses employed; 160 modern primary healthcare centres built, Kesley Harrison specialist hospital built; The Maxilo-Facial specialist medical facility at Garrison Junction; Self-Destruct Syringe factory; 1000-bed hospital ongoing; The war against malaria especially the bio-larvicidal factory that is ongoing; the total war against epidemics such HIV/AIDS, Polio and Ebola; and tackling Glaucoma and Cataract.
Worthy of note is the Ebola scourge, and how Rivers State emerged with minimum casualty rate. Recently, the Rivers State Government was honoured for standing Ebola to the face. The fight tasked our best in men and resources. We quickly harnessed global comradeship built out of a universal fear that unless mankind overcame Ebola, the earth would be turned into a morgue. We rallied our people to alertness and healthy habits. The media was summoned to a race against time, and to the glory of God, with the hard work of our professionals and the support of Rivers people, the federal government of Nigeria and international development agencies we were able to defeat Ebola. This is a testimonial to what is possible when the people and Government work together.
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Our administration faced the battle against infrastructural decay with all seriousness, realising that there is a direct link between state of infrastructure and the growth rate of any economy. The administration has so far completed 90 per cent of the Phase 1A of the Rivers State Monorail, completed two major interchanges, two flyovers, 25 bridges, and five shore protection projects. We have also completed 890 kilometres of the on-going 1,424 kilometres of road projects across the state. There are over six land reclamation/shore protection projects at Andoni, Opobo, Buguma, Abalama, Olumbie/Owukiri Island, Oba-Ama-Okrika with over 1,140,000km completed.
POWER
In the power sector, we built two brand new power stations in Afam while also completing and expanding the ones at Omoku (150 Mega Watts), Trans-Amadi (130 Mega Watts), and Eleme (75 Mega Watts), aiming to reach a target of 750mw. This is in addition to seven transmission stations (132/33 Kilo Volts) and Distribution Injection sub-stations 33/11Kv built. All this was before the power sector was privatised and we equally ensured that our people had a stake in the sector through equity acquisition.
MEGA CITY PROJECT
The Mega City, also known as the Greater Port Harcourt City is one of the biggest most single construction project in this part of the country. The Greater Port Harcourt City dream is now real, despite slowing down due to dwindling revenue.
This project was planned an eight-year rolling budget knowing that the mega city is capable of growing the state’s economy by three per cent (GDP) through massive infrastructural projects such as the New Stadium, New UST, major roads, bulk infrastructure, sewage system, water, power, and housing amongst others.
Already, construction of the all-important M10 Road expected to be an economic highway from the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa to Onne seaport which houses the world’s fastest growing oil and gas free zone. There is also the M1 Road expected to open the new city to the south. There are different housing schemes going on there including the 2500 unit housing estate as well as the 1080 Mixed Use Housing Units.
FISCAL MANAGEMENT
This administration has made significant strides in treasury management reforms as well as transparency initiatives including biometric screening and reduction of wastages through ghost salaries; automation of salaries and wages; prompt payment of correct and increased salaries until now; steady and positive international ratings; sanitising the financials. We have built a system of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) that brought sanity, self compliance, direct payment to only one government account, and a monumental increase from N2.5Bn to N7.8Bn per month. The reform measures have continued to pay off, though there is room for improvement to get to the desired target.
CARING FOR THE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE POOR
My brothers and sisters, any governance system that permanently leaves out the economically active poor would be deemed a huge failure. We set up the Rivers State Microfinance Agency (RIMA) early in the life of this administration. Through the work they have done, this administration by end of 2014, revived the businesses of over 10,000 micro entrepreneurs across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State consequently bringing visible impact via job creation and enterprise promotion. A Micro Finance Bank has also been approved for the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria. In fact, RIMA was nominated by the CBN within the last 2 years (2013 and 2014) for Best State Government initiative award in micro finance. If given sustained support, the RIMA model is capable of totally reintegrating the economically active poor in the state to the mainstream economic highway.
As we have always said, we are humans and therefore must be subject to human limitations, but we are proud of our efforts in creating grassroots millionaires as a pointer to our youths that the new way to go is entrepreneurship and being self-made. The most important achievement to me is that we have opened up the governance space and proved to our people that the Governor is still one of us, and not a masquerade up there in the firmament. We have proved that the people’s money can be wholly devoted to building infrastructure and improving the general welfare of the people.
This is not an accountability speech and so, every single thing we have done has been documented for posterity. Our handover notes contain all the activities in each unit of the government; what was done and what is left undone. The financial account is also available to guide the incoming administration and stand as witness to all those who sincerely seek the truth.
My dear people of Rivers State; we knew from the onset that any democratic society that wishes to make quick progress must find a way to ensure smooth succession from administration to administration. This however starts from a free and fair election where people are allowed to choose the next leader. This task however is not for one group, but a sacred responsibility for all contending camps. The overriding principle is the freedom to aspire but also to give way to popular choice, whether the electorate is wrong or right. Thwarting this process through any form of violence is totally unacceptable. The Constitution however provides for ways of seeking redress and those who toe this line of action are also accorded recognition as true democrats. This administration has done everything to ensure that this fundamental process is kept alive. Today, we have elected governments at all levels; federal, state, and local councils.
CONCLUSION
It is with all humility that we thank the Almighty God for the opportunity he granted, not just us, but to all those who do not have golden spoon in their mouths in this part of the world to also aspire to the highest positions of leadership. This is a legacy we must bequeath the next generation so that all shall enjoy the inalienable rights and privileges of a freeborn under the law.
We thank Rivers people for their love and steadfastness. Your accommodation and acceptance of our service and even our weaknesses, your commitment to our beloved state and your prevailing prayers through some of the darkest patches of our governance, have made our trek easier and the journey worthwhile. May our good Lord reward and bless you richly.
I must on a personal note thank my devoted and beloved wife, Judith, for her support in all my political travails. She has been the wind beneath my sails, as her prayers have propelled me and strengthened me when all else failed.
Our children have been wonderful all the way. They have given up much of their childhood and made sacrifices to enable me be a father of all. Posterity will indeed reward them well.
I thank members of my cabinet. The lessons we have learned are useful for tomorrow. We thank those who defended us but we thank more those who persecuted us, for they helped to bring out our character.
Let us pause for a minute to honour the souls of all patriots who died in the course of the struggle especially those who were killed during the recent presidential and governorship elections in our state. It ought not to be so. Democracy gives our people the inalienable right to make their own choices and no one should die for not believing in the others view. We make a solemn pledge to the families of all who have died that we will never forget them and that their blood shall not have been shed in vain.
I have saved the last of my thanks for the best – The defenders of our democracy and the bulwark behind our government – the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. As we bow out, I must express my debt of gratitude to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, especially the Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, who as Speaker, chose service to the state over temporal affluence. When it mattered most, the true Honourable members of the House preferred to save Rivers than their pockets. Our people remain grateful to them as History stands to pat their gallantry.
The incoming administration will find all necessary documents required to take off and understand the government. The Deputy Governor is our liaison with the incoming administration and has been directed to accord them all necessary assistance as they may require.
Government is continuous and records are the vital link between two administrations. All assets and liabilities belong to the Government. As we vacate the seat we had occupied for seven years and seven months, we leave with the deep joy that comes from a high sense of accomplishment; the firm satisfaction that we came with a determination and we are leaving highly fulfilled because we tried to do justice to any and all that came our way.
We fought to protect the assets and interests of Rivers State just as we pursued our projects with great zeal within the financial space available. Whatever is left undone is for those taking over from us.
My beloved people of Rivers State, It was a great honour and privilege to have served such a great people at this time, but there are times and seasons and having run our course, and in obedience to our Constitution, we gladly step aside but remain eternally indebted to Rivers State and its people.
Finally, we ask that anyone the Administration offended be gracious enough to forgive. We never came as perfectionists. We have been just as frail as any other human being. We had exercised our Oath and Allegiance on behalf of our people. The best intent could have been misconstrued. To such persons, we render apologies beyond words.
God bless and keep our beloved Rivers State.
Thanks you
Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, con
Governor, Rivers State
May 28, 2015
Once upon a time, they were friends and political associates. They were inseparable.The camaraderie was unprecedented. The smiles. The back-slapping.The clinking of glasses.The political victory celebrations.The warm embrace.The mutual respect and love for each other. Then, the slavish obeisance.It was unparalleled.One called the other, my Oga. It was truly so. But all that is gone with the wind.The game of politics is an intriguing thing.One can not predict what happens the next moment. Friends today, enemies or political foes tomorrow. So it is with Chief Nyesom Wike. So it is with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.So it is with several others. But in politics, there is no permanent friend and no permanent enemy.What is permanent is interest.
Interestingly, what appears to be permanent in the feud between Wike and Governor Fubara is the interest of the people. The interest of the deprived people of Rivers State and the interest of the down-trodden. Governor Fubara is proving it on a daily basis.His administration is proving it too.Through the body language of the governor, through his actions and utterances.Smiles are appearing on the faces of the people again, after a very long time.And what they are seeing and feeling is the quiet revolution of a man who has come to serve, a leader who is selfless, who thinks less of himself but thinks more of what would better the lives of the people.
This could be seen through the kind of policies and programmes his administration is pursuing.The policies and programmes are favourable to the people.They do not hurt them, nor make tears to drop on their cheeks.They do not cause them immeasurable pains, inflicted on them by sadistic arrogance.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a Knight of Saint Christopher is calm, quiet, urbane, refined, intelligent and calculative; he is not given to too much noise-making; nor sounding his trumpet. The lofty achievements of his administration within the past one year in office are not given undue undulation through unnecessary media hypes. His calm and quiet demeanor is in tandem with the quiet revolution his administration is taking the State through in spite of the massive distractions being orchestrated by political detractors and cynics to make his government fail.
He has shown through words and actions that he is a true man of peace; a man imbued with uncommon wisdom and passion to change the ugly narrative of his people.He speaks truth to his contemporaries and members of his political class, without blushing, without batting an eyelid.
Besides, Governor Fubara is truly showing that he is human-centric.The policies and programmes of his administration are centred on the people. Projects being delivered are people-oriented. Gradually, the man being perceived by opponents as a political neophyte and politically naive is making his marks in governance, and has warmed himself into the hearts of his people.He is today, the man of the people; the man of the moment; and a political phenomenon.
Governor Fubara truly enjoys organic support across the length and breadth of Rivers State.His support base cuts across party affiliation.It cuts across the political spectrum of the State and swells by the day.Members of other political parties in the State are happy and appreciative of his administration.The policies and programmes of his administration sit well with them.They support him because of his selfless disposition to governance, his political carriage and mien. His peaceful disposition has also endeared him to them.Fubara is a leader who does not discriminate against the people because of their social class, ethnicity, tribe, religion and any other primordial sentiments.
His political structure, the Simplified Movement is sweeping across the State like a volcano.Everyday, it wins more supporters to the Governor’s camp. From every indication, this great Ibani son of Ijaw ethnic extraction is averse to greed, crass selfishness and primitive accumulation of wealth, at the expense of the people. That is why the people are falling over heels for him.
The true Siminalayi Fubara persona manifested itself on October 4, 2023, when some lawmakers loyal to Chief Wike reportedly attempted to impeach him.The Governor apparently mounted the soap box, as if he was campaigning to be elected again, and told the whole world that the move to impeach him was unwarranted and uncalled for, since he had committed no impeachable offence, to warrant that.And this won him accolades, goodwill, sympathy, empathy and more support from the distraught people of the State and others. That was the beginning of the political crisis currently rocking the State.That was the first time that the world came to the realisation that all was not well between the political godfather and his political godson. For the first time, the world also saw Fubara as a man that was being intimidated, bamboozled, arm-twisted, oppressed and suppressed by the godfather, for whatever reason. The irony of it all is that while the Governor’s support base continued to grow in leaps and bounds, those fighting him shut their eyes to this reality.They saw the support the Governor has continued to enjoy through an ethnic concave, gave it an ethnic political colouration and took it for granted. So, they continued to dig in, deeper and deeper, with the hope of throwing the State into serious political turmoil.
Before you knew it, the political fight between the godfather and the godson took the turn for the worst, as the smooth operations of government in the State were seemingly paralysed.Cracks emerged here and there.Commissioners loyal to Chief Wike started leaving in droves.The Rivers State House of Assembly was massively polarised.In the face of all these, Governor Fubara kept his cool and maintained his composure.He tried by all means to secure a rapprochment and settlement without success.Even in the face of immense pressure and distractions, he concentrated on governance.
When it was time to broker peace and secure a truce, Governor Fubara obliged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had intervened in order to simmer down the political imbroglio.First, he impressed it upon Rt Hon Edison Ehie, who had emerged the new Speaker of the House to step down.Then, he re-absorbed into his cabinet the nine Commissioners who had earlier voluntarily resigned their positions.The withheld allowances and entitlements of the lawmakers loyal to Wike were released.The Governor did several other things to appease those apparently aggrieved who were fighting him.All to no avail.
Apparently with the connivance of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the lawmakers continued to give Governor Fubara hell and vowed to make the State ungovernable.It is unfortunate that they never appreciated and reciprocated the Governor’s humane gestures by giving peace a chance.They rather kept on asking for more like the proverbial Oliver Twist, without giving back anything or conceding any ground in return.This is even when it was glaring that their positions as lawmakers were shaky and precarious, following their defections from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The truth remains that the lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule had continued to make the State ungovernable through their pre-meditated actions of openly daring an elected Governor, who is empowered and emboldened by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The moves by the lawmakers to override the Governor’s veto, on several occasions, and also threatened to impeach him for the second time, which were also unwarranted and senseless,were the last straws that broke the camel’s back, and put paid to efforts to amicably resolve the political crisis rocking the State.
Little wonder, the Governor had to storm the House of Assembly quarters, where the lawmakers normally congregated, to perfect their perfidious plots.Thus, the relocation of the State House of Assembly to Government House, through an Executive Order was expected, to douse political tension in the State.The House had earlier elected a new Speaker to replace Ehie, the Chief of Staff, Government House, in the person of Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo.
To keep the wheel of governance running, a new Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma(SAN) and additional eight new Commissioners were cleared by the Assembly and sworn in by Governor Fubara.
To further confound his political opponents and critics, the state government under the watch of Governor Fubara has continued to roll out the drums in celebration of its one year in office. The celebration has been very remarkable because in spite of massive distractions dogging his path and government, orchestrated by opponents and cynics, Governor Fubara has kept faith with his avowed determination to give the people the best by commissioning and flagging off monumental projects. Through the quiet revolution of his administration, he is rewriting the ugly narrative of the State in all aspects of life.Promotions of civil and public servants including those in local government councils have been accomplished. Low cost houses are springing up.The Songhai Farm is receiving attention. Business people and entrepreneurs are being supported and empowered through the disbursement of soft loans.A whopping sum of N4billion has already been channeled towards this direction. Lots more are happening behind the cameras and kleigh lights.
It was truly a sight to behold, when recently, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, stormed Rivers State and commissioned the Aleto-Ebubu-Ogale-Eteo Road project. This is instructive because Governor Otti is a member of the Labour Party(LP) while Governor Fubara is a member of the PDP. This is a way of building bridges across party lines.It is what Nigeria needs today.Besides, going by media reports, the Abia State Governor is also performing excellently in office.
The commissioning of the Andoni Section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road project, whose construction had lingered for 24 years, by Governor Fubara himself, is the icing on the cake, as it is expected to serve as a great relief to the inhabitants of that area.The Emohua-Kalabari Road project, , the flag-off of the N225billion 12.5kilometre Trans-Kalabari Road project by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a clear demonstration of a government in action. It is expected to link riverine communities in Kalabari Kingdom to the upland. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State was also in Rivers State and commissioned the Egbeda internal roads, while the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road project was flagged off by Senator John Azuta Mbata.
And to crown it all, former Governor of the State, Dr Peter Odili also commissioned, with pomp and pageantry the Omoku-Egbema Road project.
The phase 1 of the Port Harcourt Electrical Village has been commissioned. The phase 2 of the project has equally been flagged off.Also flagged off is the Okania-Ogbogoro Road project while the phase 2 of the massive Trans-Kalabari Road project is expected to be flagged off on May 30, 2024.The one year in office celebration of the Fubara administration is a harvest of projects. The massive signature project of this administration, the Port Harcourt Ring Road is progressing steadily.
It is also instructive that the Fubara administration, for the first time in several years, successfully organised the Rivers State Economic Investment Summit, under the chairmanship of Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State, with other top experts and professionals in attendance.The administration has equally launched a Youth Development Programme. All these are intended to reposition the State and the people, to make them socio-economically relevant and competitive in the comity of States.
From every indication, the Fubara administration’s quiet revolution is geared towards transforming the socio-economic landscape of the State. With the transformation milestones and achievements recorded within the past one year, in spite of distractions, it is deliberately putting in place massive and unprecedented infrastructure that would shape the complexion of the State in the nearest future. By this token, Governor Fubara is taking the battle for the soul of the State to the turf of his political opponents and critics who never gave him a chance. But then, the people and the State are the ultimate beneficiaries.The governor is surely writing his name in gold and etching it on the sands of time with the quiet revolution of his administration.
Donatus Ebi
Rivers State was created on May 27, 1967, following the promulgation of Decree 14 by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) who acceded to the request by the founding fathers of the oil-rich State after a protracted agitation that caused them pain, blood and tears.
It is one of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory that make up the country, Nigeria, which is the biggest concentration of the black race.
The State which is located in the Niger Delta region of the country, sits on a total area of 21,850 square kilometers with a landmass of approximately 4, 277 square miles.
Rivers State is blessed with enormous human and natural resources, including fertile soil, solid minerals, and an extensive coastline with great water bodies. The state is the hub of oil and gas in West Africa and accounts for over 40% of crude oil production onshore in the country as well as100% of liquefied gas that the country exports.
Rivers State also is the second largest economy in Nigeria, and with a nominal GDP of over $28.4bn, and the economy ranks in the top 25 economies in Africa comparable to countries like Botswana, Rwanda, and Gabon.
The State has a relatively robust infrastructure, including good roads, two seaports, an international airport, and a free trade zone. With a population of over seven million indigenously diverse, educated, highly hospitable people, and a business-friendly environment, it stands at the centre of diverse economic opportunities.
“With over 40% of fertile cultivable landmass, Rivers State has the potential to make a significant contribution to national food security with commercial investments in mechanized agriculture and the agro-processing industrial value chains.
Obviously, it is one of the most populous state and the second largest economy in Nigeria after Lagos State.
Currenly, the state is headed by Governor Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, who is the 17th Chief Executive to pilot its affairs. Clearly, the state has achieved different levels of development under different administrations, but it is left for developmental experts to make critical assessment of their performance, taking into cognizance the peculiarities and challenges of individual government.
From May, 1967 to October, 1996, when Bayelsa State was carved out from Rivers State, there were ten administrations, out of which eight were military and two civilian. The administrations were headed by three indigenes and seven non-indigenes.
With the creation of Bayelsa State on October 1, 1996, Rivers State has had seven administrations, out of which two were military and five civilian. It is pertinent to note that since the return of democratic system of government on May 29, 1999, four civilian administrations in Rivers State have had uninterrupted governance, which has impacted positively on their performance.
The first to govern the oil-rich state was Lt. Commander Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff. He ran the affairs of the state from May 28, 1967 to July, 1975. Upon his swearing-in, Lt. Commander Diete-Spiff could not come to Rivers State to assume office immediately as Port Harcourt, the state capital, was one of the flash points of the Nigerian civil war. He was running his government from Lagos until September, 1968, when he eventually moved over to Port Harcourt to commence proper governance of the state.
With a devastated economy and near absence of infrastructure, he prioritized infrastructural, economic and human capital development that would be suitable for translating policies into action. He placed a premium on education, allocating 40 percent of the recurrent expenditure of his first budget to the sector.
The administration took over existing schools, including the ones owned by missionaries and voluntary agencies through Edict Numbers 10 and 14 of 1971. He established Advanced Teachers’ Training College in 1971 which later metamorphosed into Rivers State College of Education.
He established College of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt to provide the middle level manpower in science and engineering for the young state.
The government also founded Rivers State School of Basic Studies as well as School of Nursing and College of Health Technology. It awarded scholarships to deserving Rivers sons and daughters to facilitate their educational pursuits in various parts of the world.
The military governor had explained in his first budget speech that the education policy of his administration was aimed at remedying “as early as possible, the neglect which our people have suffered in the field of education and ensuring in the foreseeable future that the youth of the state will take their place in the scheme in Nigeria”.
In the area of job creation, the Diete-Spiff administration set up state-owned companies such as West African Glass Industry, Pabod Breweries Company Limited, Rivers State Vegetable Oil Company (RIVOC), Risonpalm, Superbod Stores, Pabod Finance and Investment, Eastern Wrought Iron Industries Limited, Water Glass Boatyard, Amalgamated Distilleries Limited, Olympia Hotel, Pan African Bank and RivBank Insurance.
Lt. Commander Diete-Spiff also realized the importance of the media as an instrument of development and established Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, AM station of Radio Rivers and SSB radio in all the Divisional Headquarters of the state.
The Rivers State Secretariat complex is another structure that is worthy of mention. The Secretariat complex was built for the comfort of civil servants who play a vital role in the execution of government policies and programme. It is one of the largest, tallest and finest Secretariat complex in the country.
The government built the Civic Center, the Isaka Holiday Resort, Cathering Guest Houses in various parts of the state and established Zoological Botanical Gardens at Trains Amadi, in Port Harcourt.
In fact, The Diete-Spiff administration laid a solid foundation that will continue to inspire successive administrations in the state.
Colonel (later Major General) Zamani Lekwot who hails from Kaduna State was the next to govern Rivers State from July, 1975 to July, 1978. What he did mainly was to continue with some of the projects initiated by the Diete-Spiff administration which were at different levels of completion. Some of the projects were Liberation Stadium and Rivers State Liaison Office in Lagos.
Lekwot would also be remembered for the electrification of Bonny Township as well as the construction of Choba bridge.
With the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed in a failed coup d’état that brought General Olusegun Obasanjo to power as a military Head of State, Navy Commander (later Rear Admiral) Suleiman Saidu, from Kaduna State, became Military Administrator of Rivers State from July, 1978 to October, 1979.
Although his tenure was brief, he was able to complete some of the projects he inherited from his predecessors such as the new wing of Hotel Presidential, the Port Harcourt International Airport and some units of the State Secretariat complex.
He also built a number of schools, health centres, jetties and roads.
Following the return of democratic rule in 1979, Chief Melford Obiene Okilo, an indigene of Emakalakala, Ogbia, in the present Bayelsa State, was sworn in as the first civilian governor of old Rivers State. He governed the state from October 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983.
His administration was known for “Decentralization Policy”. The Okilo administration created 50 development units to bring government closer to rural communities.
The government also built housing and industrial estates at Ahoada and Isiokpo as well as 300 Housing units across the state to bridge the gap in housing deficit. The popular Elekahia Housing Estate and the Presidential Estate were also built by the Okilo administration.
The government was equally known for the canalisation, shore protection and land reclamation projects it executed in Opobo, Nembe, Borokiri and Kalabari areas of the state for development purposes.
Education was a major policy thrust of the Okilo administration. Consequently, the College of Science and Technology was converted to premier University of Science and Technology in the country in 1980, while Rivers College of Education was upgraded to a degree-awarding institution. The government went further to establish a reasonable number of primary and secondary schools in many communities across the state to strengthen the educational chain.
Again, the Okilo government was the first to build an independent power plant in Southern Nigeria. The Koko Creek Gas Turbine, which was located at Imiringi, supplied electricity to the present Bayelsa State and parts of Abual/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Okilo administration was truncated as result of a military coup on October 31, 1983. Then, Commissioner of Police (later Deputy Inspector-General of Police) Fidelis Oyakhilome took over the reins of power in Rivers State from January 1, 1984 to August 28, 1986. The Police Officer who hails from Ewu, in Esan Central Local Government of Edo State was preoccupied with the agricultural potential of the state.
Consequently, he launched the School-to-Land Programme, aimed at encouraging young school leavers to tap into agriculture for their personal gains and the state in general. He also initiated Community Block Farming scheme as well as Skills Acquisition Programme in the state.
In education sector, he signed the Edict establishing the Rivers State School of Basic Studies, which was later renamed as Rivers State College of Arts and Science, and currently Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola.
The Oyakhilome administration was also known for its commitment to the restoration of Port Harcourt to its Garden City status with the introduction of weekly/monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the state.
Col. (later Brigadier-General) Anthony Ukpo, a native of Okpoma, in Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State, was at the helm of affairs in Rivers State, from August, 1986 to July, 1988. His administration approached development by transforming rural communities into semi-urban centres with equitable distribution of infrastructural facilities to all the geographical components of the state.
On assumption of office, Col. Ukpo had embarked on three-day tour of each of the Local Government Areas of the State to interface with the people, which resulted in the launch of Rivers State Accelerated Integrated Rural Development Programme (RAIRDEP) at Krakrama, in Degema Local Government Area, in December, 1986.
The Ukpo administration also inaugurated the Provisional Council of Rivers State Polytechnic (now Ken Beeson Sara-Wiwa Polytechnic), and completed the Mile One flyover bridge.
Other projects were the upgrading of Braithwaite Memorial Hospital to General Hospital and the construction of Ndoki Waterside Housing Estate as well as the expansion of Aggrey Road.
Group Captain Ernest Adeleye, who hails from Ekiti State, was the next governor of Rivers State from July 1988 to August 1990. The Adeleye administration introduced the “Flying Doctor Scheme”, which brought medical services to the door-steps of rural dwellers.
Following the introduction of the scheme, some communities in Bonny, Sagbama and Brass Local Government Areas that were inaccessible by road were given attention as over 800 children were immunized against common diseases.
Adeleye also signed the Edict establishing Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, in March, 1990, and constructed Marine Base Housing Estate.
Adeleye was succeeded by Colonel (later Major-General) Godwin Abbe from August, 1990 to January, 1992. Abbe who hails from Edo State would be remembered for the construction Government House Auditorium, Green Verge Housing Estate, Aggrey Road Waterfront Housing Estate as well as the expansion of Ikwerre Road.
Following the governorship election that was organized by President Ibrahim Babangida-led military government, Chief Rufus Ada-George took over as the second civilian governor of Rivers State from January, 1990 to November, 1993.
The Ada-George administration embarked on numerous road projects that linked Port Harcourt metropolis to adjoining communities. He initiated the construction of the popular Ada-George road, Peter Odili road, Woji-Okujagu road, Eastern Bypass, NTA-Airport road, among others.
The civilian administration was truncated as a result of the uprising that trailed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election which was widely believed to have been won by Late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Consequently, Late General Sani Abacha took over as the new Head of State and dismantled all the democratic institutions put in place by General Babangida government who stepped aside in the wake of the June 12 crisis and installed an interim government led by Late Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Between December, 1993 and August 1996, Lt. Col. Dauda Musa Komo, from Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, was in charge of Rivers State as a Military Administrator. He executed a number of road projects such as the reconstruction of Government House Drive, Trans-Amadi Layout, Olu-Obasanjo and Sani Abacha roads.
The Komo administration initiated the construction of the one-lane Kaduna and Rumuola flyover bridges and also embarked on rural electrification project by providing generators for some communities in the state.
Another project that was undertaken by this administration was the neighborhood water scheme. Boreholes were sunk in some communities in the state to provide drinking water for the people.
From August, 1996 to August, 1998, Col. Musa Shehu, from Waruno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was the Military Administrator of Rivers State.
His administration built the Obi Wali Integrated Culture Centre, Governor’s Lodge and Liaison Office in Abuja and rehabilitated some roads as well as health facilities in the state.
The tourism sector was also given a boost during the Shehu administration as the 1998 edition of the cultural fiesta, RIVIFEST, was organized in grand style.
Group Captain Sam Ewang, who hails from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State, took over the mantle of leadership in Rivers State from August, 1998 to May, 1999. He was the last Military Administrator of the State.
The Ewang administration built 500 detached housing units at Igbo-Etche and paid the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for all secondary school students of Rivers origin.
The government also repurchased the Pan African Bank headquarters building in Port Harcourt that was sold to private investors.
Following the return of democratic governance in Nigeria, Dr. Peter Odili emerged and was sworn in as the third civilian governor of Rivers State. He governed the state from May 29, 1999 to May 28, 2007.
His administration made tremendous impacts on various facets of development. One of the greatest achievements of that administration was the building of four new power plants at Omoku, Eleme, Afam and Trans-Amadi, which had a power-generating capacity of 381 megawatts.
He introduced free education at primary and secondary levels, increase bursary to Rivers students in tertiary institutions by 400 percent. He also introduced free healthcare for children under six years and elders above sixty years of age.
The government would be remembered for the building of the new Government House, Rivers State House of Assembly complex and Rivers State High Court complex.
The government also embarked on numerous road projects across the state, but the most ambitious of all was the commencement of the Unity Road linking Ogoni, Andoni and Opobo. Successive administrations contributed immensely to the completion of the project.
The Odili administration constructed the two bridges at Woji and Elelenwo as well as the Air Force flyover bridge. Also, the government built housing units for civil servants at Aggrey Road, Creek Road and Iriebe.
Sir Celestine Omehia took over as the helmsman from May 29, 2007 to October 25, 2007. Although his government lasted for five months, he was able to commence work on a number of projects such a as Mile One Market (Phase 1), Eliozu flyover bridge, Eleme interchange and a Shopping Mall.
According to the Supreme Court judgement that removed Omehia from office, he was never governor in the eyes of law.
Following his victory at Supreme Court, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi piloted the affairs of the State from October 26, 2007 to May 28, 2015. His administration recorded a lot of milestones in various sectors.
The government would be remembered mainly for restoring peace in Rivers State following the prolonged militancy and cult-war that held the state down. With the permission of the Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Amaechi administration had a special Israeli-trained squad of 200 policemen under the code name “C4i” that monitored criminal elements in state with special equipment.
Gantry scanners were installed at strategic locations in various parts of the State and other sophisticated gadgets for intelligence gathering and crime-fighting.
An emergency response centre with a three digit number (112) was put in place for distress calls from any part of the State.
In road sector, the Amaechi administration constructed over 170 roads, including 30 bridges which added more 800 kilometers to existing 1,000 kilometers since 1967.
He expanded G.U. Ake road, Eliozu flyover bridge and Eleme interchange. He also constructed Obiri interchange, AGIP flyover bridge and went further to reconstruct Air Force flyover bridge.
The Amaechi government built 311 ICT-based primary schools in the state and employed 13,210 teachers at a time to fill up the vacancies in both primary and secondary schools. Rivers sons and daughters were given scholarships to study abroad and bursaries paid to those in Nigerian universities.
In the health sector, Amaechi-led government built 160 health centres across the State in addition to the existing 45 since 1967. To man various health facilities in the state, the government employed over 800 doctors and nurses, and also provided accommodations for them at their places of work.
Another remarkable achievement of the administration was the establishment of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority that would regulate developmental activities in the new city at the outskirts of Port Harcourt.
Among other projects in different sectors were Adokiye Amasiemaka Sports Complex, Obi Wali International Conference Center, Songhai farms and Buguma fish farm.
Barr. Nyesom Wike took over the mantle of leadership from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023. He began his tenure by completing virtually all the road projects initiated by his predecessor such as Trans-Amadi road, Peter Odili-Woji-Akpajo road, Slaughter-Woji-Elelenwo road, Rumukrusi-Elimgbu-Eneka-Igwuruta road, Tam David-West Boulevard, Wimpey-Rumuolumeni road and Iloabuchi-Eagle Island road.
His administration also dualised Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono road, Ahoada road, Eastern Bypass, Igbunabali road, among others. The administration added 1,000 kilometers of roads to the existing ones.
The Wike government was synonymous with flyover bridges having successfully constructed 12 such bridges in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas within a period of four years.
The administration also left footprints with the construction of three campuses of Rivers State University at Emohua, Etche and Ahoada, as well as the Port Harcourt campus of Nigerian Law School.
In addition, the government built residential quarters for members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, office complex for the state and federal high courts, magistrate court, Court of Appeal, National Industrial Court, NBA as well as residential quarters for judges of state high courts.
Among other projects in different sectors were upgrading of Braithwaite Memorial Hospital to Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the construction of Mother And Child Hospital, reclamation of over 100 hectares of land in seven riverine communities, the construction of Real Madrid Academy, Mile One Market (Phase 2), and Fruit Garden Market.
Governor Siminialayi Joseph Fubara who succeeded Barr. Wike on May 29, 2023, today clocked one year in office.
Although his administration is facing a political crisis that is being stoked up by a group led by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Wike, Governor Fubara has left no one in doubt that he came prepared for the challenges ahead.
From May 14, 2024, the governor has been commissioning and flagging off projects to celebrate his first year in office. These milestones showcase his commitment to the growth and progress of Rivers State.
Among the projects that were commissioned was the Aleto-Ebubu Eteo (Old Bori) Road. This road will enhance connectivity and transportation between various communities, promoting trade and social integration. The Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road and the Emohua-Kalabari (Tema Junction) Road will further strengthen the infrastructure network, stimulating economic activities in the state.
The commissioning of Egbeda Internal Roads will greatly improve accessibility within the area, benefiting residents and businesses alike. Furthermore, the completion of Phase 1 of the Port Harcourt Electrical Village will provide a reliable and sustainable power supply, supporting industrial growth and attracting investments to the state.
Another significant project that was commissioned was the dualized Omoku-Egbema Road. This road will not only enhance connectivity but also facilitate the transportation of goods and services, boosting economic development in the region.
In addition to the commissioning of these projects, Gov Fubara also flagged off four projects aimed at bolstering the economic development of Rivers State. These include the Elele-Omoku Road, an essential artery that will enhance transportation and trade, and Phase 2 of the Port Harcourt Electrical Village, which will further expand the state’s power infrastructure.
The flag-off of Okania-Ogbogoro Road and Trans Kalabari Road Phase II will contribute to the overall development and connectivity of Rivers State. These projects will create new opportunities for commerce, tourism, and social interactions, ultimately improving the quality of life for the people.
Furthermore, as part of his commitment to empowering the youth, Governor Fubara also launched the Youth Development Programme. This initiative is aimed at providing young individuals with the necessary skills and support to excel in various fields and contribute to the development of the state.
Governor Fubara’s one year in office is a testament to his dedication and vision for the progress of Rivers State. He has four signature projects under construction among other ongoing and completed projects and people oriented initiatives: the Port Harcourt Ring road that will transverse six local government areas, the Trans-Kalabari Road Phase 2, the 20,000 low cost housing estate and the Port Harcourt International Automobile Spare Parts Trading and Commercial Centre.
As the state moves forward under Governor Fubara’s leadership, the future looks bright, promising a prosperous and inclusive Rivers State for all its residents.
Reward Akwu
For a government that is barely one year in office, the unprecedented political obstacles it faced since inception on May 29, 2023 appears not to have hindered the clear manifestation of the vision of the administration led by Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State. However, given the uncommon courage with which the governor has faced the challenges to good governance, there is palpable feelings of rediscovered freedom in the state. From the ordinary persons in the streets to the artisans at various corners of the state, from recuperating civil servants to the business community, through to the elderly statesmen, the air now feels fresher with an atmosphere of greater freedom of expression, than before. The reason for this feeling of rejuvenation may not be far from the policy directions of the new administration which points to a promising vision of rebirth for Rivers State, as well as a vision of good governance that draws prosperity to residents of the state.
Encapsulating this vision was part of Governor Fubara’s closing remarks at the Rivers State Investment Summit which held last week at the Obiwali International Conference Centre, in Port Harcourt, wherein he expressed the philosophy behind his courageous strides thus; “When you can see into the future, you can muster up enough strength to hold on today.”Having been a career civil servant who grew through the ranks, the governor on assumption of office, immediately visited the state secretariat on his first outing to take first-hand tour of a vital instrument of governance, re-assured workers on the new vision of government, and thereafter started restoration work on the secretariat infrastructure. Ever since, he has rescusitated the genuine traditions of the civil service with the implementation of promotions for unjustly stagnated civil servants, filled vacant positions in the medical and the educational sectors, and addressed the plights of retirees, while it is hoped that the injustice of promotion arrears denied workers by previous administrations may be redressed.
With a determination to secure Rivers State as a crime-free, business-friendly and secure environment, the governor supports and urges federal security agencies to be bolder in the fight against all forms of criminality, especially against illegal bunkering and refining activities that in the past caused sooth menace in the entire Niger Delta. The result of such efforts is paying off in more revenues that accrue to governments, from the increasing figures of oil production data which jumped from a low of 1.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) to about 1.7 mbpd. At the Rivers State Investment Summit, Governor Fubara had revealed to an entusiastic audience that, “For us, building a resilient, robust, and diversified economy holds the key to sustainable peace, security and progress of our State and the spiritual, social, and physical well-being of our people,” while saying that the event aimed to advance investment opportunities in Rivers State and “provide an opportunity for us to hear from the experts, exchange ideas, raise questions and receive answers to the economic and investment challenges we face as a State.” He bemoaned the moribond state of the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout which in the past hosted numerous profitable, commercial industries that generated jobs and revenue for Rivers State and its inhabitants.
Despite the political distractions he faces, the governor comes as a prudent leader who has taken full stock and grasp of the state’s potentials and identified impediments to prosperity, and is therefore poised at uprooting all obstacles, and has through some investor-friendly iniatives proved his commitment to making Rivers State one of the best destinations for local and international investors. While drawing attension to the several investment opportunities across diverse sectors of the Rivers State economy, in the oil and gas industry, agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism, education, ICT, and healthcare, infrastructure development, glass products, and garments production, and power generation and transmission industries, the governor wants to leverage on the relatively robust infrastructure of the state which include an international airport, two seaports, a free trade zone, extensive coastlines and an educated population, to build a business-friendly environment for rapid re-industrialisation of the state. The recent flag-off of the second phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road project which is to open greater access to coastal communities and enable future location of seaports at deeper ocean shores, further buttresses this resolve, while the re-construction and recent commissioning of the Old Bori road has created an alternative to the Eleme axis of the East-West road that serves the Onne seaport.
Before the economic summit, the governor had revived the Rivers State Micro Finance Agency (RIMA) which, in partnersip with the Bank of Industry (BoI), rolled out few weeks ago, a N4 billion matching loan scheme for Small, Medium and Micro Scale businesses in the state. Under Governor Fubara, Rivers State has authorized TAF Nigeria Limited to undertake the on-going construction of 20,000 mixed houses in the Greater Port Harcourt City. Another development partnership with Gosh Nigeria Limited is constructing an international spare parts market for traders, while approval has been given to Rainbow Heritage Group to build a New Port City in Rivers State on about 1000 hectares of land in collaboration with the Greater Port Harcourt City Authority. Also, arrangements have been concluded for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Rivers State and Planet One Holding Limited of Dubai, for a US$10 million Mangrove Forests Conservation and Carbon Capture, a Climate Action Project, under a Private Public Partnership arrangement.
Meanwhile, Apache Aluminium LLC of America is currently acquiring land in the Ogoni axis of the state to establish a multi-billion-naira aluminum rolling mill, while discussions are on-going with Imagine Adama Agricultural and Technology of Israel, to support Rivers State in reviving abandoned agricultural projects and infrastructures such as the Rivers Songhai Farm, the School-to-Land farms, fish farms, feed mills, oil palm estates and poultry farms across the state, and through mechanised agriculture and the agro-processing industrial value chains, partner in developing other huge agricultural potentials. According to the governor, about US$10 million has been earmarked for this project this fiscal year. Governor Fubara believes that the enormous human and natural resources of the state set it at the centre of diverse economic opportunities in Nigeria and across Africa, and therefore envisions the state with an enviable, nominal GDP of over $28.4 billion to rank even outside Nigeria, with the economies of Botswana, Rwanda, and Gabon.
It’s therefore obvious that with priority on peace, security and good governance, and a conviction that it is the private sector, rather than government, that grows the economy, the Fubara’s administration focuses on growing Rivers State economy through creating the enabling environment for partnerships that sustainably create jobs, economic growth and prosperity for the Rivers State.
Joseph Nwankwo
