Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has slammed local government chairmen and other political appointees in the state for disrespecting him, saying they were digging a pit they will eventually fall into.
This is as the governor vowed to continue to do those things that would make Rivers people proud and happy despite the various actions by some political enemies aimed at distracting him.
Fubara stated this on Thursday while inaugurating the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre in Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, built and donated by the PAMO Educational Foundation founded by former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili.
Fubara said he and his team would not be intimidated but would continue on the part God has given them in providing quality services for the good of the people of the state.
The governor had expressed shock at seeing the Chairman of ONELGA, at the event, saying usually any state function, council chairmen stayed away because, according to him, they are not loyal to him.
Fubara said, “I’m surprised that I saw the chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government here. I’m very surprised because before now, any event that had to do with the state government, all the local government chairmen, as it were, didn’t participate.”
Addressing the said LG boss, Fubara said, “I hope when you leave here, they are not going to sack you because I know you are not loyal to me. Or when you leave here, you will grant a press interview that it was not you, but your shadow?
“But let me say it here. Every one of you who thinks you are disrespecting me, you have already dug your pit. You will fall inside it. That is the truth.
“Our minds are very open. We do not wish anyone bad, but we expect you to know and do what is right. For those of you who have chosen to take the part that you think is that way that leads to your salvation, safe journey.”
While pledging the support of his administration to President Bola Tinubu, he said, “We made a promise to Mr. President to support him, and we will continue to support him. How do we support him?
“It is to ensure that the welfare of our people is provided for. It is to ensure that our people, those in critical need, make them happy in this harsh economic situation. If we cannot solve all the problems, at least we will go as much as we can to mitigate those basic challenges. That is the only way to support Mr. President.”
Drawing attention to what his administration is doing in healthcare, Fubara said he increased the quota of employment of personnel into the health sector to 1,000 persons.
The action, he noted, was because the 200 personnel he met on the assumption of duty was grossly inadequate compared to the prevailing needs in the sector.
Fubara also made reference to the deplorable condition of over 340 primary healthcare centres across the state when he assumed office and explained that commendable rehabilitation work was ongoing to ensure the facilities function optimally.
To achieve the needed transformation and provision of quality healthcare services, the governor said the contractors that handled the reconstruction of the zonal hospitals have been invited and directed to return to the site to complete the projects.
He stressed that the initiative was meant to bridge the yawning gap between the primary and tertiary healthcare services in the state.
Fubara acknowledged as ingenious the conviction of the PAMO Educational Foundation to undertake the construction of such a health facility as a private citizen deploying personal resources to give back to society.
The governor described the gesture as the best thing that has happened to the people, which is worthy of emulation, and urged members of the community to own the project by protecting it, even as he took a swipe at those describing his Administration as clueless because it is not constructing roads to personal property or serving the interest of few individuals.
He insisted that he was elected to serve the general interest of Rivers people, improve their social status, and make life comfortable for them.
In his speech, Odili said he was motivated to undertake the project because two years ago, when floods ravaged Ndoni town, the health centre in the community was destroyed, leaving people within 50km radius without immediate healthcare services.
Odili, who endorsed the governor as the political leader of the state, urged him to continue in his strides of people-oriented projects execution, touching the lives of the people directly with his governance.
He stated, “Let me congratulate you for winning the hearts of Rivers people by standing up to your oaths of office to defend the interest of all Rivers people in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are proud of you,”
He urged the governor to stand firm as the people are behind him, adding that “Politics is over and it’s now time for governance and you have hit the ground running, you have touched the critical sectors such as education, health, and others in less than one year in office.”
Speaking on the project, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, explained that the health facility that sits on the island of Ndoni in the political Ward 14, has 20-bed spaces, and will meet 80 percent healthcare needs of the people.
Oreh said the health facility will offer such services like antenatal and postnatal services, deliveries, immunization, cervical screening, hypertension, and issues of tuberculosis and other levels of health education services.
All the chairmen of the 23 LGAs of the state were elected under the previous administration of Nyesom Wike.
