Rivers State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, has told the contractor handling the construction of Convocation Arena of the University of Port Harcourt, to speed up work and deliver in the next 60 days.
He noted that the project is dear to the government because of its importance to education and youth development.
Fubara spoke yesterday while speaking shortly after paying an unscheduled visit to the project site, which was awarded by the immediate-past administration of former Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The governor said: “From what I’m seeing here, the contractor is also assuring that in 60 days he can deliver. We will give him the benefits of doubt. But I need to say clearly that if in 60 days, I visit this project, I don’t see it completed, it’s not going to be easy for the contractor, that’s the truth.
“But I believe from what I have seen the extent of job that they are doing, I think they’re a bit serious compared to what we saw about two months ago.
“The reason why this project is important to us is this: It has to do with education and youths.You can’t separate education from the youths and one of the objectives of our projects is development of the youths and advancement of education.
“So, our coming here is to see it, assess it ourselves and not only from the reports from the ministry, but for me to see it.
“It is not business as usual. I had a meeting with them the other day and I told them that even though this contract is not new that does not mean that you go home and sleep.
“You can see that I’m a very punctual person. If I give you 9:0 clock, it will be 9:0clock. So, my word to the contractor today is that you’ve assured me that in 60 days you’re going to deliver. There will be serious consequences if I come here by 60 days from today and this job is not ready.”
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had yesterday exercised his constitutional responsibility by inaugurating the 10th Rivers State Assembly at the hallowed chambers of the Legislative Complex, Port Harcourt.
The governor cited section 105, subsection 3 of the constitution of the Federal Republic 1999 as amended which conferred on him the powers to dissolve the previous Assembly (in this case the 9th) and simultaneously proclaim the 10th which will begin by electing principal officers of the house.
He said: “My duty this morning is officially to dissolve the 9th Assembly and inaugurate the 10th Assembly so that you can commence your first session.
Fubara proclaimed thus: “Whereas it is provided in section 105, subsection 3 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. That the person elected as governor shall have the power to issue a proclamation for the holding of the first session of the state assembly immediately after being sworn in.
“Therefore, I, Siminalayi Fubara Governor of Rivers State, in exercise of the powers bestowed upon me by section 105 subsection 3 as aforesaid, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf hereby proclaim that the first session of the 10th Rivers State Assembly holds at 10:00am on this day, Monday the 5th of June, 2023, in the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, Port Harcourt.”
