I’ve Moved On With Governance Despite Political Pressure – Fubara

• Governor Siminalayi Fubara reaffirms his administration’s unwavering commitment to delivering focused leadership and effective governance despite political challenges
• Fubara emphasizes governance as prioritizing the people’s needs, citing empowerment initiatives like the N4 billion single-digit loan scheme for MSMEs

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State affirmed that despite political turbulence, his administration remains steadfast in delivering focused leadership and governance.

Addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, led by Chairman Hon. Mike Etaba, Fubara emphasized the administration’s commitment to effective governance during a Government House, Port Harcourt gathering.

Acknowledging the existence of past challenges, Fubara drew inspiration from the movie Devil’s Advocate, which illustrates how pressure can either hinder or sharpen resolve. He reiterated his administration’s unwavering dedication to serving the people and enhancing their welfare.

He said, “As far as we are concerned, there are no political issues. I saw a movie many years ago, Devil’s Advocate.’ I believe some of you must have seen that movie, too.

“One of the starring characters, Al Pacino, said that pressure makes some people retreat or fail, and to others, it makes them focus to succeed. We have chosen to be focused under this pressure.

“That is why we are moving ahead. That is why we are making a positive impact on the lives of our people. Governance is about the people. It is not about self.

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

Governor Fubara pointed to the empowerment of about 3,066 Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) when he flagged off the N4 billion single-digit loan scheme in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BOI) Limited on Friday as one way his Administration is improving the socio-economic dynamics of the State.

“Yesterday, by the special grace of God, we observed the credit line of over 3,066 persons empowered. You can imagine what that will do for the economy of the masses and the State. That is touching the lives of our people. It does not support them for selfish reasons. It does not give a contract because I want somebody to fight somebody in my community. No. This is empowering the economy of the masses and the State.

“Our focus is that, no matter what anybody is doing anywhere, we will not lose focus. We want to leave here better than we had met it. And we want to also leave here without fear of anything.”

The governor emphatically said, “That is what we want to hear so that when 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 when 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 with a beginning will have an end. That is why I said we don’t have any problem. We have put that crisis behind us. We are looking ahead.”

“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 side of the story: that Rivers State is moving forward. Forget about what you see on social media; there is progress everywhere here. There is light everywhere.”

In response, Hon. Mike Etaba reiterated the committee’s commitment to addressing petitions with diligence and fairness, citing the case of the “Bridge Gap Initiative,” a non-governmental organization (NGO) petitioning on behalf of companies in the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout of Rivers State.

Fubara’s message underscores his administration’s resilience and dedication to effective governance despite past challenges, emphasizing transparency, progress, and the pursuit of justice.