THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN THE STATE MADE US STRONGER AND MORE FOCUSED - FUBARA

 THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN THE STATE MADE US STRONGER AND MORE FOCUSED - FUBARA 

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara says there was once a political crisis in the State, it mounted so much pressure but it has now been weathered.

The governor maintained that because it had been weathered sufficiently, his administration has come out of it stronger to provide a focused leadership. 

Governor Fubara made the assertion on Saturday night at government house in Port Harcourt.

The governor had hosted on courtesy visit, members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions.

They were led by their chairman, Hon. Mike Etaba.

Governor Fubara said: "As long as we are concerned, there are no political issues. 

"I had seen a movie many many years ago, entitled 'Devil's Advocate.' I believed some of you must have seen that movie.

"One of the starring characters; Al Pacino said, that under pressure, the pressure, it folds some people and pressure also makes people focused. We have chosen to be focused under this pressure. 

"That is why we are moving ahead. That is why we are making positive impact in the life of our people. Governance is about the people. It is not about self. 

"Governance is about touching the core needs of those people we are leading and by the special grace of God we are doing it."

Governor Fubara spoke about the flag-off of disbursement of loans to 3,066 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the State last Friday.

The N4B scheme, which is at 7.5 percent single digit interest rate, is in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BOI) Limited.

"Yesterday, by the special grace of God, we observed now the credit line of over three thousand sixty six persons empowered. You can imagine what that will do for the economy of the masses. 

"That is touching the life of our people. It is not supporting them for selfish reasons. 

"It is not giving contract because I want somebody to fight somebody in my community, no. This is empowering the economy of the masses.

"Our focus is that, no matter what anybody is doing anywhere, we are not going to lose focus. 

"We want to leave here better than we had met. And we want to a also leave we without fear of anything."

Governor Fubara said, his administration wants to be remembered for the many life that were impacted positively.

"That is what we want to hear, so that when before our children, our names are mentioned when we are no more, they will say that man is a good man. 

"We will not oppress anybody, we will not force anybody against their will. We will not intimidate anybody, because intimidation has a time it expires.

"When the time of intimidation expires, even as recorded of Pharaoh in the Bible, who intimidated the children of Israel, but it got to a time that the intimidation no longer worked. 

"So, any bad thing that has a beginning, will have an end. So, that is why I said we don't have any problem. We have put that crisis behind us. We are looking ahead."

Goveenor Fubara said there is peace Rivers State and the people are not intimidated, not living in fear and can go about their activities peacefully.

"Leadership and respect in leadership is not earned by force. It is your style that brings respect and love. And what we are doing is to respect our people and in turn, our people are giving us that support for leadership. 

"So, I am happy that you are here and when you go back, tell others your own side of the story, that Rivers State is moving forward. Forget about what you see in the social media, there is progress everywhere here. There is light everywhere."

Governor Fubara charged member of the House Committee on Public Petition to be objective as they handle and dispense with the complains before them.

"Some of these people who make these petitions to you, I can say it, some of them are not even genuine. They believe that it is also a way to extort money from most of these companies that are doing business around us. 

"So, I will urge you to do your investigation properly and let your finding be as a result of proper investigation."

Governor Fubara also said: "You mentioned something about the petition from Indorama Petro-Chemical and Fertilizer Company Limited, we are already aware of it. 

"Funny enough, the Indorama's case was even reported by Indorama itself. It was unfortunate that a particular person who got the privilege information went behind to use that information against the company. 

"I just need to let you know that, just in case when you will be treating the case, you could factor this information. Those people can't come to us because they knew we will look at them and tell them the truth. 

"Ordinarily, they aught to have come to us. They need to make the complain first to the State Ministry of Environment before going ahead. 

"So, you can see the kind of society that we find ourselves. But, God has placed you in this position today. 

"It is for a purpose, so use it to defend the oppressed people possibly in the course justice. Defend them. Defend what is right. When it is wrong, say it with boldness." 

On his part, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions,Hon. Mike Etaba, said they were in Rivers State because a petition that was addressed before the House of Representatives was referred to the Committee.

Hon Etaba said the petitioner is "Bridge Gap Initiative" a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and had accused some companies operating in the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout of Rivers State. 

"These companies are Slumberger, Halliburton, Coca Cola and International Breweries. We have met with these companies that were able to oblige us their time. 

"We went round to look at the issues that made us to come, especially the pollution of the water around Oginigba River. 

"The companies were accused of discharging effluent into the river and also having the environment polluted. That was the reason we came and we have finished our assignment."

To the governor, Hon. Etaba said: "Because you see, the battle of leadership comes from God Almighty. Nobody gives power. Power comes from God. 

"If God uses any man to give you power and that man arrogates power to himself, that man will be doing himself a disservice. 

"So, far you have carried yourself as a man that has dignity and you are doing well. Your Excellency, don't be distracted, what you owe dearly is to hold unto God strongly. 

"The Lord is your strength and you will succeed in every decision that you take. Ask him for wisdom, He will direct you," he added.