A weekly digest of some of the latest activities of the Rivers State Government includes the inspection tour by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the ongoing 10 Km long Old Port Harcourt -Bori Road project site in Eleme Local Government Area of the State on Wednesday.
The Governor expressed his administration’s readiness to providing critical projects that will add to the efforts of removing hurdles that slow down the pace of business activities in the State.
Governor Fubara said while normal life of residents are made easy to thrive in a secured environment, the enabling conditions must be provided to engender the growth of business activities.
He further expressed that the Old Port Harcourt -Bori Road project is central to the agenda of his administration of creating a business friendly climate that will engender economic activities, save more business time and ease movement of people and goods.
Governor Fubara said it is not only to benefit the immediate communities but the entire state since vehicular traffic that gets frustrated on East-West road could find alternative routes more comfortable to access their business destination.
In another event, a community focused project sponsored by the European Union tagged, ‘Community Centred Approach to Transforming Criminality in the Niger Delta,’ was launched in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Thursday 8th February.
The project, which will be implemented by a consortium of four Non Governmental Organizations, comprising Search for Common Ground, PIND, SDN and AAPW, will run for 18-months across 13 Local Government Areas of the State.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, reiterated that the objectives of the project, which is to foster inclusive community approaches to address the systemic drivers of violence and criminality, resonate with his administration’s vision.
The Governor, represented by Commissioner for Youths Development, Dr. Chisom Gbali, maintained that the project will inevitably empower community actors to address issues of social exclusion, lack of economic opportunities, and environmental degradation.
He emphasized that the project will, “strengthen collaboration amongst communities, security actors and the private sector around preventing and responding to triggers and core drivers of violence and criminality. Foster multi-level dialogue between communities, civil society actors, and government officials in Nigeria and abroad that informs policy development.”
According to him, “This is a laudable initiative and we are optimistic that the project will realize its objectives by transforming and channelling the budding energies of our youths into positive ventures that will be beneficial to all.”
The Country Director, Search for Common Grounds, Mrs Fatima Madaki Abubakar, thanked Governor Fubara for supporting the initiative and accepting the Project’s establishment in the State. She noted that the Project is being implemented in the three Niger Delta States of Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa, comprising 33 LGAs and 66 communities.
On his part, Rivers Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mr. Joseph Johnson encouraged Rivers people to embrace the project implementing partners when they approach their communities “because it serves better alternative to crime and violence.”
Meanwhile, in another event, the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara also inspected the extent of work done at the 20,000 housing units project site located along the Obiri-Ikwerre-Airport Road opposite OPM Headquarters on Thursday.
The Governor warned that the state government will deal decisively with anybody who sabotages the ongoing 20,000 housing units project that is providing decent housing for the low income earners.
Governor Fubara, who was conducted round the site by the MD/CEO of TAF Africa Global, Mustapha Njie, said he was already inundated with reports of some community people threatening to disrupt the ongoing construction work.
He wondered why they are refusing to utilise available channels to address their concerns with the government instead of planning to engage in acts of sabotage.
However, Governor Fubara reinterated his commitment to providing decent housing for low income earners and assured that every support will be given to the contractor to deliver on the promises made to Rivers people.