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Celebration as Taraba governor commissions 10-year-abandoned road
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has expressed satisfaction with his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, for prioritising the interests of the citizens.
Governor Kefas expressed this at the commissioning of the reconstructed Okania-Ogbogoro, Mgbaraja, and Mgbuoba roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.
He said good governance is when the government in power takes the needs of the residents seriously, adding that the Rivers governor has given hope to the electorate.
Kefas noted: “Firstly, when I was coming in with the governor (Fubara), I saw the joy, the happiness from the voiceless people that were abandoned and neglected in this area coming out to welcome us. It wasn’t a hired crowd. Everybody that couldn’t make it to this place, in front of their houses, they were waving at us.
“I told the governor this is all about governance. He listens to the people and solves their problems. It shows that he is doing the right thing.
“These roads are not just physical infrastructure, but represent a commitment to the people. This commissioning is giving quality of life for the people of Rivers State. So, I want to thank the governor.
“The communities now have access to essential commodities and economic potential. By completing this project, Your Excellency has proved the transformative impact of visionary leadership.”
Kefas added: “As we celebrate this milestone, I am reminded of the importance of collaboration and shared vision among us as governors. Together, we can inspire our people, improve their lives, and pave lasting legacies for our respective states.”
Earlier, Governor Fubara stated that the commissioning of the road was “promise made and fulfilled,” adding that the interests of Rivers people would always be topmost in the government’s programme.
He said: “What we are doing here today is very simple. It is promise made, promise fulfilled. I told you people that whatever we are going to start, we are not going to leave it halfway. And we have come here to fulfil that promise.
“Government is about the people; government is about knowing and sustaining and seeing what you can do to make life easy for the people. I understand the situation of this road.
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“Fortunately, I have a few friends who also live here. So, there is nothing you want to say about this road that I don’t know. I am so excited, I am so happy, I am leaving here with so much joy that we have done something that has so much impact, so much importance in the lives of our people. So, I feel very fulfilled as a government, and we will continue to do those things we know will make life easy for you.”
The governor thanked the communities for their support, adding that without cooperation from the people, the project would not have been completed on time.
Fubara said: “It is not just about me awarding, but the community also gave their support. Our government is a government that takes the interest of our people very, very seriously.
“There is no government without the people. It is only the people that keep the government; and what we will continue to do is to make sure that the interests of our people are topmost in our list.
“Our government came, our government saw, our government also conquered the situations. We are here now celebrating, and that is the most important thing. That is the purpose of governance.”
Meanwhile, there was jubilation from residents of the area, and encomiums for the governor, for reconstructing and commissioning the roads, which had been impassable for over a decade.
Some of the residents said the contract for the construction of the road was awarded by the administration of former governor Chibuike Amaechi, but the contract was abandoned by the contractor.
Speaking at the event, His Royal Majesty, Eze Levi Ozonwuowu Oriebe, Nye-nwe Ali Akpor Kingdom, said the governor has redefined leadership in Rivers State, where no one is threatened.
The monarch urged the governor to continue ensuring that the dividends of good governance reach the grassroots.
Some residents, including Madam Victoria Ohagwa, 69, Okikem Ihunda, a legal practitioner, and Elder Morgan Chuku, said business and social life had been grounded for over 10 years due to the deplorable state of the road.
They said the reconstructed road will reignite moribund business and social activities in communities within the Akpor Kingdom, and urged the state governor to also address issues of schools and hospitals in the communities.
