Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his resolve to remain focused on governance and the delivery of critical infrastructure despite the political crisis confronting the state.
The governor gave the assurance on Wednesday during an inspection tour of ongoing road rehabilitation projects in the Old Township and Borokiri areas, as well as the Creek Road Market in Port Harcourt.
Fubara said his administration would not allow distractions to derail its responsibility to the people, stressing that the mandate given to him by Rivers residents was anchored on trust and confidence in leadership.
“I promise our people that no matter the situation we are in, we will not lose focus on governance because our people have given us this trust, and the little we owe them is to give them confidence in leadership and ensure that governance continues strongly,” the governor said.
He explained that the reconstruction of the Creek Road Market was a key component of the state’s urban renewal drive, noting that the absence of a properly organised market had encouraged street trading, worsened traffic congestion and damaged road infrastructure in the area.
“What we are trying to do is to address the difficulty of driving through the Creek Road. Because we don’t have proper settlement for traders, people trade on the streets. Once the market is fixed, they will move inside, the roads can be properly rehabilitated and the beauty of the town will start reflecting again,” Fubara stated.
The governor, who was accompanied on the tour by Engr. Michel Issa of Setraco Nigeria Limited, said the road and market projects were critical to the development of the affected communities.
He disclosed that contractors had already mobilised to site and expressed optimism that work on the market project would commence within a week.
Fubara recalled that he had earlier visited the area and promised residents that his administration would take steps to restore the historic Old Township to its former ambience through improved infrastructure and better urban planning.
The inspection tour attracted a large crowd of residents, traders and youths who lined the streets to welcome the governor and his entourage.
Many of them applauded the projects, describing them as a sign of the government’s determination to sustain development and urban renewal in Port Harcourt despite the ongoing Rivers crisis.