Fubara approves a psychiatric hospital in Wike’s Local Government Area, stating, ‘They’ll need it soon

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has approved the construction of a modern psychiatric hospital in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Fubara’s estranged godfather, hails from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor.

Both Wike and Fubara have been at odds over the control of Rivers State, with the minister accusing the governor of turning his back on those who helped him rise to power.

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 hard lesson in the state.

He said: “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating the APP. It’s not about money. Money doesn’t move. You can have all the money, but if there is no capacity, there is no capacity.

“All the things you see are from people envious of our growth. We have defeated them several times, and if the opportunity arises again, we will defeat them. We haven’t started politics yet; when the time comes, we will play politics. Our job is politics. Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what politics is.”

Responding at an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, part of the 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 that what he accomplished in one year outweighed the performance of his opponents in eight years.

“They even say they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them: it was Fubara who signed the paper to borrow N200 billion from Zenith Bank for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project. It was Fubara who awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t complete. They only built a bridge from Krakrama, but I’m the one completing the entire stretch, and it costs N225 billion. I didn’t borrow.

It is also Fubara who is building a General Hospital, which includes 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 eight years. It is only an empty container that makes noise. If God has given you an opportunity, enjoy it quietly. 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’s not about doing roads to serve personal business interests. I have no business interests. Whatever I’m doing, I’m doing it for the people of Rivers State. We will not make decisions that we cannot defend. We won’t be part of anything that would bring disgrace to our dear state. This state is important to us. It’s all we have.

It’s a beautiful pride. That’s why they’re struggling, especially with the improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) we’ve made. We understand why they’re struggling. But, do it with modesty; there’s no need to destroy the house.”

Fubara said if his opponents continue to disparage the grace of God on his life, they will continue to struggle for public recognition and approval.

He added that his policy in office is not to engage in mere groundbreaking ceremonies for projects, but to ensure that any project started will be completed and put to public use.

“So, please, I beg every one of you: God has given us this opportunity, and we must safeguard it. They didn’t believe we would get to this point, and I can tell you I had a reason for inviting all the candidates for the local government election to this service.”