Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has disclosed that his administration inherited a substantial debt from its predecessor.
This debt is owed to various contractors who undertook numerous projects initiated by the previous administration.
The governor made this disclosure at the Ebubu community during the inauguration of the newly reconstructed Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road, spanning 10.89 kilometres in the Eleme local government area. He expressed surprise at the extent of the debt, considering the public perception of a clean slate with contractors.
Fubara stated, “The world needs to understand that our administration’s primary challenge is the enormous debt. As we commission most projects, contractors are seeking their outstanding payments, which amount to billions.”
He further expressed his reluctance to discuss the issue, given his involvement in the previous administration. However, he felt compelled to clarify the situation for the public to be accurately informed.
Despite these challenges, Fubara celebrated the commencement of his first year in office with the inauguration of the road project in Eleme, where he began his career. The road, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) on August 14, 2023, at a cost of N6.7 billion, stands as a testament to his administration’s commitment to development amidst adversity.
Fubara remarked, “Our gathering here is to assure our people that their problems are our problems.” He highlighted the road’s significance as a bypass for motorists to avoid the deteriorating sections of the East-West Road currently under reconstruction. This initiative also supports the federal government’s efforts to improve the lives of Niger Delta residents.
Inaugurating the project, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, commended Fubara for remembering to execute a road project in the Eleme community, where he had once resided. Otti emphasized that leadership should be about serving the people, not self or a select few.
