Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that governance has been fully restored in the state.

He said major stalled projects across the local government areas have been reactivated, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to development and peace.

Governor Fubara made this known during a meeting with traditional rulers at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday.

He explained that the meeting was to inform the royal fathers of the “return of governance” after what he described as an emergency period in the state.

Fubara told the monarchs that most suspended projects, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road, hospitals, and road networks, had resumed.

“My meeting with you this afternoon is to tell you that we are back. It’s not me, it’s all of us. Government has started again. Most project sites have reopened.

“The Ring Road has restarted. The hospitals are mobilised back to sites. The roads, as of today, we’ve met with contractors and they’ve moved back to sites,” he said.

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The Governor assured that all truncated development projects would be revisited.

“At the end of the day, it has to do with the people. We must make sure that the interests of our people are supreme in whatever we’re doing. Every sector of the system has been activated,” he said.

Call For Peace

Governor Fubara acknowledged the traditional rulers as custodians of culture and the closest leaders to the people.

He appealed to them to maintain peace in their domains and support the government’s programmes for sustainable development.

“You cannot control from Port Harcourt, living in Government House, what happens in the most interior place in Kula.

“You might have a local government chairman or a councillor, but who is the closest? It is you who control the families and communities that make up the big kingdoms. If we must pray for peace and pursue development, I should always listen to you,” he stated.

The Governor urged the monarchs to help sustain peace across their communities.

“You want us to succeed? Ensure you maintain peace in your communities and support government programmes. On my part, I will give you the respect that you deserve,” he added.

Fubara also promised to fulfil pending commitments to the traditional rulers before the end of November.

He said the benefits, including the provision of vehicles and other entitlements according to their hierarchy, would be delivered soon.

The Governor further emphasised the importance of the quarterly council meetings, urging the Council Chairman to remain apolitical and prioritise the collective interest of Rivers State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Oha Apara IV and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, expressed gratitude to God for the Governor’s return after the emergency period.

He praised Fubara for his courage and maturity during the state’s challenging times.

Other monarchs, including the Oba, Eze Ogba of Ogbaland, Eze Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III; the Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI; the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel; and the Eze of Omuma Kingdom, King Onyekachi Amaonwo, also spoke.

They described the Governor’s return as an answer to the people’s prayers and lauded his developmental drive.

The royal fathers urged him to continue focusing on youth empowerment, job creation, and community development.

They assured the Governor of the traditional institution’s continued support for his administration’s peace and development agenda.