Rivers State: Governor Fubara approves establishment of psychiatric hospital in Wike’s LGA
By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has approved construction of a modern psychiatric hospital in Obi Akpor Local Government Area.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), his estranged godfather is from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor.
Both Wike and Fubara have been at crossroads over the control of Rivers State, with the minister accusing the governor of turning his back against those who helped him to the top.
Speaking at a reception organized for him by a group, the Ijaw Peoples Assembly, in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, Wike boasted that when the time comes, he would teach Fubara and his supporters a big lesson in the state.
He said: “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating of APP. It is not about money. Money does not move. You can have all the money but if there is no capacity there is no capacity.
“All the things you see are people envious of our growth. We have defeated them severally and if opportunity comes again, we will defeat them We have not started politics, when the time comes, we will play politics. Our job is politics. Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what is called politics.”
But responding at the Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service organised as part of activities marking the 64th Independence Day Celebration of Nigeria at St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Anglican Communion at Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, Fubara said what he did in one year outweighed the performance of his opponents in 8 years.
He said, “They even say, they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them, it is Fubara that signed the paper to borrow from Zenith Bank the N200billion for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project. It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do. They did only a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it: the complete span, and it is N225billion. I didn’t borrow.
“It is this same Fubara that is building a General Hospital, which I also included a Psychiatric Hospital because they will need it very soon. So, tell them that what I did in one year is what they did in 8 years. It is only empty container that makes noise. If God has given you opportunity, eat your plantain and keep quiet. God will continue to give us the strength to do the best for our people, without fear.
“Very soon, you will see what we are doing. It is not about doing roads to your business interest. I don’t have any business interest. Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the people of Rivers State. We will not take any decision that we cannot defend. We won’t be part of anything that will bring any form of disgrace to our dear State. This State is important to us. It is the only thing that we have.
“It is the beautiful pride. That is why they are struggling, coupled with the improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) we have done. That is why they are struggling, we know. But, do it with modesty, you don’t need to destroy the house.”
Fubara said if his opponents continue to deride the grace of God on his life, they will continue to struggle for public recognition or approval.
He said his policy in office is not to embark on “mere jamboree” of groundbreaking for projects but assured that any project started will be inaugurated and actually put to public use.
“So, please, I will beg everyone of you, God has given us this opportunity, we must safeguard it. They are the ones looking for a way to destroy it.
“They didn’t believe we will get to this point, and I can tell you I had a reason for inviting all the candidates for the local government election for this service,” he added.
