Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara remarked on Tuesday that his administration inherited a massive debt burden from the previous administration of Nyesom Wike.
Fubara stated that several contractors who worked on various projects for Wike’s administration were due to receive balance payments in the billions.
The revelation provided further light on the situation between the governor and his predecessor and estranged godfather, Wike.
The immediate-past governor, it should be noted, was termed “Mr. Projects” because he started on a number of projects, including the construction of 12 flyovers, and invited guests, including President Bola Tinubu, to launch them before handing them over to his successor.
Wike also stated at the time that he had paid for the projects and congratulated former President Muhammadu Buhari on numerous occasions for paying the Niger Delta states’ 13 percent allocation arrears since 1999.
Fubara, who was the state’s Accountant-General during Wike’s tenure, revealed massive debts on the same day he announced his desire to investigate Wike’s eight-year government.
Speaking on Monday during the swearing-in of Dagogo Iboroma as the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Fubara announced plans to form a to investigate how the state’s governance was performed prior to his assumption of office.
In addition to his Monday position, Fubara bemoaned on Tuesday during the opening of the restored 10.89-km Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road in the state’s Eleme Local Government Area that contractors had been showing up to seek their remaining payment. Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, was the ceremony’s special guest.
Fubara stated, “This is to let the world know that if there is one problem this administration has, it is the huge debt burden. For most of the projects that are being inaugurated, the contractors are coming for their balance payments, and it is running into billions.
“I have said that I don’t want to talk. I didn’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.”
In a statement made by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, and distributed to journalists, the governor emphasised how perplexing the debts were, despite the public perception of a clean balance sheet with contractors.
Fubara, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction at the start of the commemoration of his administration’s first anniversary, which included the inauguration of a road project in Eleme, where he lived when he first began working. According to the governor, the road was granted to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation on August 14, 2023, for N6.7 billion.
“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 day of August, 2023. I believe that the 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 N6.7bn, 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 said.
According to Fubara, drivers should use the route as a diversion to avoid the horrible portions of the East-West route that are currently being rebuilt.
According to him, the road project was started in order to assist the Federal Government in its endeavours to improve people’s lives and offer Nigerians hope.
Fubara said, “What we are doing today is not helping the Federal Government? Is it not a sign that this government has the interests of the people at heart and is still 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 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 a positive impact in the lives of our people.”
Fubara made reference to an anonymous source who purportedly suggested that he began a conflict with the federal government upon taking office, but he questioned the accuracy of this claim.
“We are talking about the federal government that is giving us support, and we appreciate the support. But there is a rat in the house that is eating the bags of garri. So, you can imagine such a situation,” he said.
In an attempt to provide more justification, the governor said that someone was inflaming the situation in order to divert attention away from the federal and state governments’ pledges to uplift the populace and leave meaningful policies, initiatives, and legacies for future generations.
Fubara expressed his gratitude to the Eleme residents for their assistance throughout the project’s execution, saying that the contractor never raised any issues with the local community.
The governor gave an explanation of the reasoning behind inviting Governor Otti to officially launch the project, characterising him as a practical man.
He is a man who came into office in the face of difficulties and challenges, just like we are here, but he is making an impact in the lives of Abians.
“So, I will continue to identify with good governance. I will continue to identify with the people who want to make an impact on their lives. Our government, as we promised you on day one, is the people first.”
