Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reassured traditional rulers of prompt response to their calls on his administration, especially when issues bordering on the peace, security, development and well-being of people in their domains are concerned.
He stated that as a government that operates an open-door policy and listens, it is committed to the pact with the Rivers people to ensure a good life for all.
Fubara spoke yesterday while declaring open the 119th/120th combined quarterly general meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers (RSCTR) in Port Harcourt.
The governor explained that his administration is about the people because it is sustained by their unalloyed support and God‘s grace.
He said: “As you are aware, after the Local Government Councils, traditional rulers are the best partners that we have to translate the development aspirations of the grassroots into reality. You are, therefore, an indispensable development partner to the State Government. As such, you must work with the State Government to advance your domains‘ peace, security, and progress.
“You also have a responsibility to promote government policies and programmes, uphold the rule of law, and mobilise your people and resources to create an enabling environment for development.
“The good news is that you have a Governor and Government in us who are ready and willing to work with all of you to actualise our collective vision for a peaceful and secure State with the best socio-economic environment and opportunities for all.”
Fubara appealed to the monarchs to be loyal and faithful to the government while also supporting courses that advance the development of the State, its people and communities to become the envy of other States, adding that available resources have been managed in the last 16 months for maximum development impact and visible to everybody to see as modest achievements.
The governor said, „As I stated in my budget speech yesterday (Monday), we are poised to deliver many more policies, programmes, and projects to accelerate the pace of development and improve the well-being of our people in 2025, in line with our budget objectives of fostering inclusive economic growth and development.
“Let me assure you that with us and our commitments, things can only improve for Rivers State and all its residents, and we will not rest until we accomplish all our campaign promises with the help of God, your prayers, and the support of our people.”
He commended the exemplary leadership and strong commitment shown by His Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, in fostering unity, peace and progress in Rivers State, expressing delight that there is already a profound unity in the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council with an open and transparent Council where every Royal Father, irrespective of status, has a sense of belonging.
In his address, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu-Wodo, noted with delight that Fubara has brought back the glorious old days by providing Christmas bonuses for civil servants and financial assistance to stakeholders and traditional rulers.
Worlu-Wodo, the traditional ruler of the Apara Kingdom, stated that, for nearly one month, the governor inaugurated and flagged off numerous projects to showcase milestones achieved.
He said: „It is pertinent that we use the opportunity of this meeting to appeal to all our people in politics across all divides to allow peace to reign in the State because it is only when we have peace that investors will come to invest in our State. Then, jobs will be created for our teeming youths, not in a crisis-ridden environment, which some unpatriotic elements want to make.
„Information reaching us, Your Excellency, is that very soon, Nigerians, local and foreign investors, and tourists from various parts of the world will begin to tap into the endless marine resources of the Blue Economy of our State as the Ngo Town to Oyorokoto- Atlantic Road in Andoni Local Government Area, which is currently being constructed, will soon be commissioned.“
