Governor Fubara Overwhelmed by Predecessor's Debt Burden

Governor Siminalayi Fubara 

“I'm overburdened by debts from my predecessor's projects” Governor Fubara laments

Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara has voiced his displeasure at taking on billion-dollar debt from projects started by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Fubara stated that numerous contractors have contacted him in an attempt to collect the outstanding balance of their payments, characterizing this scenario as a serious issue.

The governor stressed his commitment to give transparency by showing up to project inaugurations with white papers outlining their prices. This was spoken during the inauguration of the Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road, also known as Old Bori Road, in the state's Eleme Local Government Area.

Fubara acknowledged that he was reluctant to talk about these kinds of things, but he felt obliged to in order to clear things out. He said that on August 14, 2023, his administration awarded the project to China Communications Construction Company Limited, CCCC, to be used as a bypass to alleviate the decaying sections of the East-West Road's Eleme axis.

The governor claims that he started the project to show his support for the federal government and to reassure the public that his administration would always prioritize the needs of the people.

He declared: “As we are going we will be going with the white paper to show the records and the amount of the projects. It was awarded at the cost of N6.7 billion. I can say that we have paid the contractor completely.

“The purpose of this is to let the world know that if there is one problem this administration has is debt. Most of the projects that are commissioned they are coming for their balanced payment running into billions.

“I said I don't want to talk because I am part of the system. But when you continue to push me I will say it so that they will see the nyash of the fowl.

“Aleto is a bypass that if you cannot assess the East-West road, it can take you away from the bad section to the good section of the East-West road. Is what we are doing today not a help to the Federal Government and a show that this government has interest and the support and is doing everything to make the Federal government succeed?

“So when people come and say funny things, I start laughing. It is not social media, we are talking about actions. We are taking actions that make positive impacts in the lives of out people.”

Wike claimed that his administration had battled the Federal Government at the time, but Fubara highlighted how different their circumstances were.

He contrasted the difficulties facing his government to dealing with a house rat, suggesting that the fight was more contained and easier to handle than Wike's more extensive battle with the federal government.

He said: “I heard someone saying when we came onboard we were fighting Federal Government, Federal Government did not use any instrument in your State to frustrate you. Our scenarios are quite different.

“If we are fighting the Federal government it is a different matter. We are talking of the Federal government that is giving us support but the rat in the House is eating the bag of garri. So you can imagine such situation. So I will continue to identify with good governance.”