Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday stated that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of Federal Capital Territory must work together. The former President, therefore, urged them to sheath their swords for peace to reign in the Rivers State and South-South region.
While calling for ceasefire between the two political heavy weights, Jonathan warned that the escalation of the political tension is inimical to the progress of the State.
The former President stated this, while flagging off the construction of the N222.1bn Trans-Kalabari Road in Kalabari Kingdom. He, insisted that the Governor and Minister must work together to advance the growth and development of Rivers State.
Jonathan while recognizing the important role of the two gladiators in the State, said the protracted crisis could hamper the development of Rivers.
He warned that the crisis would not affect only Rivers State, but the Niger Delta region and have spiral effects on the country. The former President, described Rivers State as a very strategic State in the country that cannot afford to be in crisis.
While on the Governor and Wike to sheathe their swords, Jonathan commended the efforts of some leaders, who had intervened in the festering political crisis.
The former President insisted that Wike and Fubara must embrace a truce. He feared that if the crisis if not well handled it could snowballed into a bigger regional and national challenge with greater consequences.
Speaking on succession crisis in politics, Jonathan explained that while the challenge was always better managed at the federal level, the crisis was worse at the state level.
The former President, therefore, suggested that outgoing governors and their successors must devise a means to work together for the collective interest of their people.
He said: “In this case of Rivers, Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara must work together for the development of the land and the people of Rivers State. The tension will not help us.
“Rivers State is very critical in this country. Rivers State is the heart of the Niger Delta. If Rivers State is destabilized, the whole Niger Delta will be destabilized. And it will not end within the Niger Delta alone. Because I am from this part of the country, and I know how the system works. We don’t want any crisis in Rivers State.
“Leaders most know that nobody takes 100 percent. You most learn the principle of give and take. So, our political actors most work together if you love Rivers people.
“I join the leaders of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians who have been calling for truce. Who have been calling for ceasefire. To also re-emphasize that there is the need for a ceasefire. Let us do things that will rather project this State positively.”
“There is this common saying that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. Both the Governor and the Minister are young people, very young people. But, they are powerful. And if you continue to fight, Rivers people will suffer. We don’t want the Rivers people to suffer.
“So, we are calling on them to embrace themselves. One hand does not clap. It takes two hands to clap. So, we want them to work together for the collective interest of Rivers people.
“Whatever has happened, has passed. Let us move to a new phase for the interest of the state. For the interest of the Niger Delta, and indeed, the interest of the country.”
On the flag off of the Road project, the former President commended Governor Fubara for his vision. He thanked him for his commitment and courage to construct the road.
Jonathan therefore, stated that the infrastructure would guarantee ease of movement. And would enhance response time to security issues, and promote integration and economic growth.
He said: “When I was asked to come and flag-off this project, I felt that it is only a person who has vision, and the commitment to develop his people that can do this.
“Your Excellency, let me commend you for your vision and the courage to start this project. In fact, it is not going to be a tea party. If you must develop a nation, region or state, there are critical elements that count. These are; good road network, airport, rail and water transport systems as well as security.”
“By providing these enablers, development would thrive in the State,” the former President said.
Jonathan, therefore, used the opportunity of the event to thank the Governor for daring to dream big. He praised him for venturing into projects avoided by previous administrations
Responding to the former President Jonathan’s speech, Fubara assured that his administration was determined to deliver the Trans-Kalabari Road project. He pointed that the project would stimulate the socio-economic activities in the rural communities of the State
Fubara, therefore, urged the people to take ownership of the project and ward-off any form of sabotage that may frustrate its timely completion.
The Governor said he understood the difficult swampy terrain that the road would traverse and its high cost implications.
He, however, stated that the project must be done in the interest of the State.
Fubara said funding for the project would come from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and federal allocations for the project. He also added that he had already paid 30 per cent of the contract sum to mobilize the contractor to the site.
The Governor said, “When we went for campaign in the three Local Government Areas of Kalabari Kingdom, we promised you that if you give us your votes and we succeed, we will embark on the Trans-Kalabari Road.
“That is what we have come to do today. We are a Government. When we make promise, we keep our promises.
“I understand the cost. I understand the difficult terrain. And I also understand that somebody has to take this step. If it is not done by me, then, another person can also do it. But within our time, it is proper for us to make a statement to our people.
“I don’t want to talk about politics on this project. I want us to look at the facts. It is a difficult terrain and it is going to be expensive, but we are equal to the task.
“Let me also say it for record purposes: We are not going to borrow to embark on this project. We have saved and we are using our savings to pay off the cost. Which we have already done the 30 percent initial advance payment. So, the contractor has no reason to delay, but to start off the project immediately”.
The Governor, therefore, appealed to the people of Rumuolumeni to cooperate with the contractors. This will enable them deliver the project on time.
Fubara stressed: “This road will bring development to our people. This road will bring economic advancement to our people. So, we need your buy-in. Your buy-in is not just standing here with us today, but giving all the necessary support.
“You need to also cooperate with the contractor, your leaders and chiefs, so that there will be no sabotage.
“Let me also say it clearly, for those of you who are planning to sabotage it, it is your business. If we don’t do it in our own time, I wonder when you are going to get it. So, you need to buy-in into this project. The advantage of this project is making life easy for our people.
“For us as a Government, our duty remains people first. Those things that we know will make life easy for you, are the areas that we will pay attention to.
“So, please, give us the necessary support so that this project will be achieved at a record time. This way, we can also look at other aspects of the State’s economy.
“We are not going to focus only on roads. But this particular road is important to the development of our State. That is why we are starting it now because of the time that is required to deliver it.”
Speaking of the characteristics of the Road, the Governor pointed that the Trans-Kalabari Road project would have many bridges. It will also have deck-on-pile as it was being built on the swamp. He, however, assured that it will be completed during his tenure.
source: The Nation
