Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has emphasised that the state and its people are enjoying an enduring atmosphere of peace to promote sustainable development, fast-paced investments, and accelerated economic growth.
He said the recent negative narrative that portrays the state as immersed in crisis with disrupted peace is untrue, misguided, and the handiwork of mischief makers.
Fubara spoke to newsmen in the Egbelu Community shortly after inspecting the progress of work on the 14.6km Omodu-Eberi Road project in the Omuma Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi.
The governor said it was important that Nigerians know of the uninterrupted peaceful atmosphere in the state because the people are going about their normal activities while governance is thriving.
He stated, “And to also tell Nigerians that Rivers State is peaceful. You can see that we are moving about inspecting projects, as opposed to what you see on the screens of your television sets: police are everywhere, we don’t move about anymore, and Rivers State is under siege.
“We are not under siege. Our state is free and peaceful. If at all there is any problem in any part of the state, I know quite well that Nigerians know where the problem is coming from, not from us.”
Fubara emphasised, “We are peace-loving people. It is already written all over us. Our actions and our deeds have confirmed that.
“We will continue to maintain the peace that we promised everyone for the betterment of the good people of Rivers State,” he added, encouraging the business community, especially potential investors, to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities that abound in the State.
Commenting on the 14.6km Omodu-Eberi Road project, Fubara stated that his administration started it with the goal of inaugurating it during his one-year office anniversary.
The governor explained that what delayed the work was the decision to extend the length of the road to make it serve as a comfortable link for motorists to drive onto Abia State.
He said, “We are in Omuma to inspect the project that we started. It was supposed to be part of the projects commissioned during our one-year anniversary celebrations.
“But we found out that some part of the job, if completed, will link Rivers State to Abia State, and we felt there is no need to commission it halfway without joining that part that connects us to Abia State.
“So, we directed the Ministry of Works to extend the project from 8 to 14.6km.
“So, we are here to see what is happening, and to prepare ourselves that maybe in the next two months, we might likely be coming here to commission this project for the good people of Omuma.”
(Punch)
