By Kolawole Ojebisi
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said his administration has been delivering the dividends of democracy to residents of the state without resorting to borrowing despite efforts to incapacitate it.
Fubara, said this to refute claims that his administration has been borrowing to fund projects in the state.
The governor spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of the 11.8km Okehi-Umuola-Eberi road connecting Etche and Omuma LGAs in the state.
Fubara said his administration secured a ₦200 billion loan solely for the ring road project, connecting six LGAs in the state.
He added that individuals can verify his statement by checking with the Debt Management Office (DMO).
“Today, we are starting to showcase what we have done in those months when people were asking; what are we doing? Where is the fund? Iam happy to say here, I stand to be challenged, this administration has not borrowed to execute projects,” Fubara said.
“The only money we borrowed was the one we used for the Ring Road project, and everybody is aware of it.
“Go and bring any paper. Go to the Debt Management Office and check if we have asked for anything. We don’t need it. What is important is the little we are getting, we are applying it rightly.”
Fubara emphasised on his administration’s dedication to improving residents’ well-being and progress despite the challenges and obstacles.
“Even when we are struggling to meet the basic needs of government, which is protecting the lives of the people, their property and providing services,” he said.
“Even when they are working to make sure that we can’t provide services; that we have to starve, we are determined to make sure that our people are happy.
“And we said, whatever it will cost us, we must make sure that we did this. So, I am happy the contractor didn’t disappoint us. I am also happy that the communities, both in Etche and Omuma, gave us the needed support.”
He pledged additional projects for residents of Etche and Omuma, including the completion of other roads and healthcare facilities in the state.
