Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has hinted at seeking a second term in office.

Fubara disclosed this on Friday while launching the construction of the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema road, a project awarded to Julius Berger for N30.4 billion.

He was accompanied by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, for the event.

The governor also revealed that despite the challenges posed by the seizure of the state’s revenue allocations, his administration continues to initiate new projects and mobilize contractors.

He disclosed that N9.1 billion, representing 30% of the mobilization fee, was paid to the contractor for the 19.7km road project.

Addressing requests from the people for more development, Fubara stated that his government had already made significant progress in the region.

He added that if he were to continue with his plans, both his first and potentially his second term would be focused on further improving the Kalabari area.

He said: “Let me indirectly respond to the Amanyanabo’s request. We have done a lot here, if we continue like this my first tenure and probably my second tenure will end in Kalabari.

“We need to look at other places. But that is not to say that we will not visit the Ifoko-Tema Bridge which is important because it connects two communities. We will visit that project.

“So, let me thank you again for your support and assure you that other aspects of your demands, healthcare, education, and empowerment will continue to be on the top burner of this government,” he said.

Fubara said his decision to award the contract and pay the mobilisation fee was borne out of his administration’s love for the Kalabari people.

The governor, who was received by a mammoth crowd in the area, said the Kalabari axis had benefitted immensely from his administration.

He said that his administration had already committed N225bn on the Trans-Kalabari road project.

The governor noted that the only project he had done in his Opobo area was the Ring Road, which he said was less than N10bn adding that the other section of the ring road to connect Kalaibiama to Epellema was also less than N21bn.

Fubara said: “This project is a 19.7km road. It is awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the cost of N30.4bn. We have already paid 30% mobilisation for this project. Even at the heat of our trouble when our allocation was withheld we paid N9.1bn for you to understand how we feel and value the Kalabari people.

“The contractor has assured us that they will do a good job and I believe that at the end or before 15 months life may be different here. The issue of criminality along the bad section of the road will be a thing of the past and other development will follow.

“It takes one, who loves you to do this. In my place, the only thing that I have done is the ring road, which is less than N10bn. The other section of the road is the Kalaibiama and the connection to Epellema, which is also less than N21bn.

“This government not me has committed already N225bn for the Trans-Kalabari road. This government is also committing another N30.4bn for this road. What is this government trying to tell you? The government loves you genuinely,” he said.

On why the government decided to construct the 19.7km road, he said: “We were here about six months ago when we came to commission the section of Emohua -Terma junction road. On that occasion, you requested that fixing the section of Emohua to Tema is not good enough because the other section of the road is very bad.

“Traversing from this junction to Degema to Abonnema was a nightmare. As a government that listens and a government that has compassion for its people because governance is about the people, we decided to look into your request and by the grace of God today, though not in our style, but because of your request that you want to showcase this event, I granted to flag it off, if not I wouldn’t have been here”.

Fubara said no amount of social media attacks would diminish his achievements and accused his critics of doing terrible things while they were in government.

Addressing the people, he said: “Our love for you is pure. Our mission is to make sure that every sector and section of this state is developed equally.

The governor advised his supporters to look beyond their personal benefits and focus on the lasting legacies of his administration designed to give them better opportunities in the state.

Fubara, who recognised the presence of the Niger Delta freedom fighter, Alh. Asari Dokubo, also appealed to the people of the area especially the youths not to sabotage the project.

“I demand that you give the contractor the necessary support. Please don’t allow the enemies to use you to sabotage this project. We know what is happening each time we want to do any good thing they go behind to sabotage it. It is your project, own it, defend it,” he said.

He said he chose Ajumogobia to flag off the project because he hailed from the area and understood the problems of the Kalabari people.

Kicking off the project, Ajumogobia lamented that generational neglect had impoverished the people of Abonnoma and recalled that the area used to have a functional Port.

He commended Fubara for restarting the process of developing the area particularly what he referred to as the tenacity of purpose and courage in building the Trans-Kalabari road.

He said: “This access brings inclusivity, urban development, and reduces rural-urban migration. With this road that we are flagging off, I can live in Buguma, Degema, or Abonnema, and work in Port Harcourt. That is what you are doing for us Your Excellency, and for that we are so grateful”.

He said Fubara’s predecessors avoided the Trans-Kalabari road because of its magnitude and aquatic terrain.

Ajumogobia said that nobody had expected that six months after the governor was shown the terrible nature of the 19.7km road, he would be in the area to flag it off.

Addressing the governor, he said: “I believe that when your time comes to an end after you have finished as governor of Rivers State, we will all remember today and all these wonderful initiatives you have carried out to show your love.

“Nobody invests N225bn anywhere unless he loves the people, who are going to benefit from that project. Although this road is a fantastic infrastructure project, it is more than that it is a testament to your character, a testament to your mobility, and a testament to everything good in good governance.

“We know you are a man of your word. There were many, who flagged off projects but didn’t complete them, but Your Excellency you have shown in the short time you have been governor of our state that you are a man of your word and you keep your word”.

Describing the project, the Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said it starts from Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government and covers town other councils of Degema and Akuku-Toru.

He said: “It traverses at least nine communities along the way. We propose to complete this project in 15 months. In the process of construction, we will be building about 12,777 meters of drains with a lot of soil replacement. Along the line, we will be working on seven bridges which are in various stages of deterioration but we will rehabilitate them totally to give them a very good lifespan.”(The Nation)