FUBARA: USING RIVERS’ RESOURCES FOR THE PEOPLE
It was Warren Bennis (1925-2014) who once pontificated on the essence of leadership thus, "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality". Without mincing words, the tenets of that postulation is quite evident in the actions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in managing the affairs of Rivers State.
His determination to leave enduring legacies in all sectors of the state's economy is fundamental to measuring the output of governance within a space of time. Just like Warren Bennis posited, Sir Fubara came in with the consolidation and continuity mantra, but in delivering on that mandate, he has simplified governance such that Rivers people are becoming more satisfied with his approach to tackling various issues of development.
For once, a government took the audacious step to initiate a multi-billion naira project funded from internally generated revenue savings and not from borrowed funds. Perhaps, this will further showcase the capacity of Sir Fubara as a seasoned accountant who is committed to prudently manage the state's resources for the actual development of the landscape and its people.
Indeed, the recent award of Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ikiri-Omoku road worth N81bn by the State Executive Council jolted the naysayers as Governor Fubara revealed that the project will be funded from savings without borrowing.
Significantly, the road traversed three local government areas with high economic relevance especially in agriculture, oil and gas production amongst others. The LGAs include Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas.
Due to its value, the proposed project which is originally a single lane is now redesigned to 7.8 square meters dualised carriage way stretching through 33.5 kilometers with wearing course of 499,100 square meters and drainages of 47,128 meters. It will also interest discerning minds to know that the road has a 99-meter bridge between Egbeda and Omoku.
Some of the features of the road include culverts, central median, cement sand stabilized sub-base and granite base course. Others are street lighting in built up areas, and road marking using reflectorized thermoplastic paints.
It is noteworthy that the specification of works for the road earthworks include hydraulic sand filling in areas from 1.5 meters to 3.5 meters deep and approved laterite filling.
Very commendable is the immediate award of the project to another competent firm, Craneburg Construction Company and the disbursement of 50% of the project sum worth over N40 billion. It is obvious that such a proactive approach will encourage the contractor to speed up works so as to meet the target 24 months completion timeline. Indeed, Governor Siminalayi Fubara described the road as one of his signature projects that he is determined to deliver promptly as a testament of good governance.
As it is, Governor Fubara is already making a loud statement by truly deploying Rivers resources in a more profitable venture of advancing development for a greater Rivers State that will certainly benefit the people.