The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised the alarm over a plot to use mercenaries and thugs to destroy valuable infrastructural assets in the state in the guise of protest.
Fubara alleged that the miscreants have been hired from outside the state.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor stated this when he addressed representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stakeholders of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rivers State ethnic and youth groups, and Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers Union, Ikoku Branch, among others at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Fubara insisted that several public and clandestine activities of the detractors over the last months indicated that Rivers has unrepentant enemies who would do everything within their means to destabilise the state.
“You are already aware of the political situation of our state where people are looking for every avenue to destabilise this state. We don’t need to give them that opportunity to carry out that act.
“And that is the reason why I, representing the government, and the service commanders, have always been in touch with you all, pleading that we should shelve this protest. And even if you have to do it, we should do it in a way and manner that it will not get out of control.
“I have information that you don’t have. I am aware of the people that are being hired to come into this state to cause mayhem.
“If anything happens here, we are going to be the greatest losers. Our property will be destroyed. Our economy will be destroyed. And when they finish, they will go back to their states.
“Look at what has happened in Kenya. It will take them another 20 years to rebuild those things that are being destroyed.
“In Rivers State, we are not that financially buoyant to now start retrogressing where we have already passed.
Instead of maintaining and increasing what we have, we will be thinking of rebuilding, if destroyed. Let us not allow it happen.”
The governor maintained that Rivers residents have already resolved not to participate in the nationwide protest scheduled to begin on Thursday.
He acknowledged the prevailing economic hardship that Nigerians were facing but quickly added that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is taking actions geared towards addressing the current hardship and securing a better future for the people.
The governor urged the activists to look at all the angles to the reasons proffered by the organisers of the planned protest so that they do not just embrace it to please persons who are aggrieved because the system does not favour them.
Fubara equally pointed to steps his administration has taken to meet the expectations and address Rivers residents’ challenges while supporting what the Federal Government is doing.
He said, “In your demands, one has to do with CNG cars and buses to ease transportation costs. We are the first government in Nigeria to roll out free buses for students and the people of Rivers State. And up till now, we are still sustaining it. It is a sign of our commitment to our people.
“We know that the cost of living is very high and that is also one of the reasons why we floated the N4billion loan for traders and small businesses in the state. You are witnesses to it. This facility is to help our traders; mothers, fathers, and also to help the youths in the business line. You can see our concerns for our people.”
The governor assured them that their position letters had been received and would be forwarded to the president but added that some of their complaints had been noted and the ones that could be addressed immediately would be attended to.