•Commissions projects in Bonny

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the State Government will continue to collaborate and support the Rivers State House of Assembly to better the lives of the people of the State.

He explained that his administration enjoys a cordial relationship with the 10thAssembly as evidenced in the screening of nominees for various positions and swift passage of executive bills brought before the House.

Governor Fubara stated this at the official commissioning of two ultra-modern community town halls and flag-off of full-time tertiary scholarship/empowerment programme by the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, at Akiama and Aganya communities, Bonny Local Government Area on Saturday evening.

Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, Governor Fubara expressed confidence that the 10thAssembly will give life to the 2025 Budget.

He said: “So, the Government and people of Rivers State heartily congratulate you and thank you for being a good ambassador of the Ibani Kingdom. And this is us assuring you that as the Executive arm of Government, we know that the Legislative arm of Government is independent but we will continue to collaborate so that good tidings will always be the portion of our people.

“I thank you Mr Speaker for your support so far to the Government of Rivers State as we see in your cooperation.The Speaker that screened caretaker committee chairmen, the Speaker that has been helping us ensure that requests from the Executive arm are swiftly confirmed, the Speaker that will give life to the 2025 Budget.”

He said that the citing of constituency projects by the Speaker is obvious sign that they are elected representatives of the people, adding that the 25 former lawmakers, whom he described as Abuja-based politicians, have failed to attract any projects to their constituents.

He added: "This Is one of the dividends of democracy as elected representatives of our people to show that you are elected into the House of Assembly to represent your people, one of the obvious signs is constituency projects. The 25 former Assembly members that sacked themselves, has anyone done projects? Have you seen or watched anywhere? Are they inspecting or commissioning projects? These are Abuja-based politicians!”

He commended the Speaker for the establishment of two state-of-the-art town halls, the provision of financial empowerment to 100 Bonny indigenes, and tertiary scholarship awards to 30 indigenes of Bonny.

He stressed: "Further to that, you are not just commissioning one town hall; we are here in Bonny to commission two state-of-the-art town halls. And before us, you have just implemented economic empowerment of 100 Bonny indigenes to the tune of N10million cash. You have further announced the implementation of tertiary scholarship awards to 30 Bonny indigenes to the highest level of education. What more can we call representation?”.

In his speech, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, thanked the people of Bonny for believing in the 10thAssembly, stating that he has no regrets supporting Governor Fubara.

He said that the Assembly will not be distracted by the enemies of the State or by the 25 former members from discharging its functions.

He recalled that the impeachment plot by the former lawmakers against the Governor on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated, but quickly added that the evil plan did not stand because it was resisted by Rivers people.

He said: "We will not be distracted by the enemies of Rivers State. We will not be distracted by the 25 former members of the House of Assembly. What happened on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated. Our God in Heaven blinded their eyes and made them deaf. And as such, they made a fatal mistake when they sought to not just only impeach my brother and friend, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as Leader but to further impeach His Excellency, the Governor. And by God’s grace, today, even though at that time we didn’t think that we would have lasted one month, Rivers people stood firm, Bonny people stood firm, and we resisted” (and we are still strong today).

The Speaker explained that the commissioning of the two 500-seater auditorium town halls is in fulfillment of the campaign promise made to the people based on the need-to-gap assessment he carried out.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi says the Speaker revealed that the 2025 Budget will soon be presented before the 10thAssembly, adding that the Bonny Local Government will be captured in the provision of infrastructure projects.

He emphasised: "Let me use this medium to assure you that we will not rest on our oars until we ensure rapid development comes to Bonny Kingdom. There are so many things that we need as a people. But let me remind you that as Speaker of the House of Assembly, 2025 Budget will soon be passed, which means that Bonny Local Government will be captured in the 2025 Budget that will be presented soon by His Excellency. Today, I am standing strong knowing that I have made the right choice”.

•PHOTO: Representative of Rivers State Governor and Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie (middle); Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo (6thleft); Leader of the House, Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari (6thright); Chairman, Bonny Local Government Council, Hon Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox (5thleft); Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Hon Prince Ezebunwo Ichemati (4thleft); Chairman, Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji (left); and others shortly after the commissioning of the Dr Rodaford LongJohn Community Women Town Hall in Bonny, on Saturday evening.