FUBARA: THE FINANCIAL CZAR WITH EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNANCE

Since May 29, 2023, after taking the oath of office and resuming duties, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has left no one in doubt about his preparedness to steer the ship of the state to new heights of prudence in scarce resource management.

Starting with his first-week visit to the Andoni Unity Road Project and the subsequent flag-off of the PH Ring Road, the state was set on a path of developmental trajectory. Today, with almost a trillion naira worth of projects scattered across the state, some completed and others at advanced stages of completion, Fubara has clearly marked himself out as one of the leading lights in this political dispensation in Nigeria among sub-nationals.

More revealing is the fact that Governor Fubara’s administration is the highest-paying government to workers in the main civil service and the public service, respectively. With his directive, Local government councils in Rivers State have now joined the state in paying the approved #85,000.00 minimum wage, even higher than that of the federal government.

It is impressive to note that Governor Fubara has managed the resources of the state as a professional accountant to ensure that the state is not lacking in liquidity to meet its responsibilities to the people of Rivers State. A state with one of the highest numbers of workers, paying the highest salaries and wages in the Republic of Nigeria, regularly releasing overhead costs to MDAs, and meeting contractual obligations without approaching the security markets for bailouts cannot be said to be in unsafe hands under Fubara.

It’s now amazing to hear that the state has #260 billion in its coffers at the time the state of emergency was imposed. This is historic and legendary in leadership. What Fubara has done in the judicious management of scarce resources is that, in a situation of national emergency with no FAAC, Rivers State can run smoothly for at least six months, meeting all its obligations without looking for external assistance.

Why should Rivers State pause in getting all the benefits associated with such purposeful leadership on the altar of political disagreement?

Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the world has known you for standing for peace, and you have said it on different fora that nothing is too big for peace. Please forgive all those who have offended you for the interest of the collective well-being of Rivers State and her people, please take every dignified step, no matter how difficult it seem, to bring about peaceful and progressive Rivers State, which you were on course from the inception of your administration .

I urge the dualization of the Gokana road to take in the heavy traffic that will come from the Bodo-Bonny road upon completion. The current width and depth of the road may not withstand the kind of heavy articulated vehicles that will be moving equipment between Bonny and Port Harcourt. This will open up that corridor for new economic frontiers.

Congratulations on standing tall despite the destructive distractions.

To Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly:

I saw pictures of state assembly members holidaying in the UK, and I congratulate them. But I thank God their supporters and families are benefiting from the governance witnessing under the Fubara-led government, so they won’t be too harsh on them, seeing them enjoy the best of social amenities while they are trying to fix their lives here.

I will urge them to make a stopover at the parliaments in the various cities they are visiting to learn how it’s done over there. If the interest of the people matters or the interest of the supreme leader. The choice of the UK, a place of liberal democracy, is a really good choice for this all-important holiday for them.

As you enjoy and merry, remember that the collective interest of the people who voted matters and should be more compelling than anything else in your actions and inactions. The war has dragged on for too long, and Rivers State is the biggest loser. It’s time to rebuild her broken walls. Let good reasons prevail over personal egos.

Barr Nyesom Wike, you are unarguably the most trending politician in today’s Nigeria. I heard you said in this war with your beloved successor that you won him 2-0. Congratulations to you.

I listened to you talking to your predecessor about why he must think positive with his then-position as a minister for Rivers State, having benefited so much from the state. As the Governor of FCT today, you are the most beneficial of the benevolence of Rivers State and her people. Since 1999, no other politician has gotten from the state what you have gotten and are still getting.

You are the governor of FCT, but you are there on the slot of Rivers State, and it requires some responsibility and sacrifices from your end. A few days ago, I watched documentaries on Libya and Sudan, and what came to mind was: where are the big and powerful politicians of these countries? What are their strategic investments and assets? Will they be willing to return back to their fatherland?

Those telling you that they have the capacity to fight for you, you have to check them well to know how many of them have investments worth #1-10bn. If you can sincerely assess yours, maybe through your financial advisor, you may know who will ultimately be the biggest loser in conflict.

When I was younger in our communal living, if you had a scribble with your peer or someone slightly younger and it seemed you had an upper hand, you returned to the person with an embrace. No one can truly bring about peace between you and your successor other than yourself. Don’t give in to political cheers, often times they’re not really helpful.

If you check, a good number of those around you now weren’t with you 2 years ago, and they aren’t with you now because they love you or you are the best. They want to remain relevant, and if tomorrow the table turns, they’ll retire to the new sheriff. Concern yourself with the historians, they’re the ones that’ll paint the picture of your deeds.

President Bola Tinubu, yours is a life that never gives up. I support you because of your resilience and history of saying no to dictatorship. You fought it during the military era and as the governor of Lagos State.

The state of emergency in the economy hub of Nigeria has an international dent on the image of our country before the international community. Yes, you said that it’s necessary to avert a breakdown of law and order, but bringing about peace is safely within your reach as the political leader of Nigeria.

The reasons behind the state of emergency have since failed the integrity test. More embarrassing and disturbing is your inclusion in your broadcast that the government and the governor have not done anything to rebuild the auditorium of the state assembly that’s at over 80% completion.

Every passing day, the elected officials are not overseeing the affairs of governance in Rivers State, sharply contradicting your stands against unelected leadership in our neighboring countries. I’m sure they will be greatly amazed by our situation here.

In hours, you can resolve all the issues and restore peace among the disagreeing persons. It’s not too much for you, a comrade in the struggle for democracy.

Mr. President, winning Rivers people and votes is very simple: fix the federal institutions here, the Port Harcourt Port needs a complete overhauling and upgrade and dredging of the canals. We need to link the rail lines to Onne Port and connect it to the southeast.

An importer should be able to get his goods transported from Onne to Enugu through the rail. Sir, granting victories in Rivers State and the southeast is not about state of emergency or one powerful man.

There are so many areas where the people of Rivers State need the help and intervention of the federal government, especially being the goose that lays the golden egg. The time is running out; the time is now. Act as the statesman you are for the collective good of Rivers people and her residents.

Rivers people, nowhere is greater and more beautiful than home. We have one state, and we must collectively build it beyond where we met it.

Sincerely, Bethel Nte