Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has launched a verbal attack on his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, saying, “It is only empty containers that make noise.”
This statement comes in response to Wike’s claim that he initiated the multi-billion Ring Road project in Rivers.
Wike made the remarks on Saturday at a reception organized in his honor by the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress. “I stand tall to challenge anybody in this state, local government by local government, and even those who are following whoever they are following. I did everything for their communities, so I can challenge anybody.”
Regarding the Ring Road project, Wike stated, “The Ring Road was my initiative – the Ring Road was me. I initiated it, thinking that we were all going to work together. I said continue from here, this is where I stopped.” He further emphasized, “They are now bragging that they are the ones (that initiated it) – it was me.”
Governor Fubara responded to Wike’s claims on Sunday at the interdenominational Thanksgiving Service held at St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Anglican Communion at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt. Fubara described Wike’s narrative as “wrong” and in need of correction.
“They even say they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them that Fubara signed the paper to borrow N200 billion from Zenith Bank for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project,” Fubara declared.
Fubara also highlighted other key projects undertaken by his administration, including the Trans-Kalabari Road and a General Hospital with a Psychiatric Hospital. “It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do. They only did a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it: the complete span, and it is N225 billion. I didn’t borrow.”
Comparing his achievements to Wike’s, Fubara stated, “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 eight years.”
Wike had earlier claimed credit for making an Ijaw man governor of Rivers State, saying, “I made Ijaw man governor of Rivers State.” Without mentioning his name, he challenged a former federal minister, Edwin Clerk, to “make” an Ijaw man a governor of Delta State.
In response, Governor Fubara said, “It is only empty containers that make noise. If God has given you an opportunity, eat your plantain and keep quiet. God will continue to give us the strength to do the best for our people, without fear.”
The Port Harcourt Ring Road project is valued at N195.3 billion, with Fubara’s administration signing the contract and committing to pay Julius Berger N150 billion, representing 77% of the contract amount.
The project spans 50.15 kilometers, traversing six local government areas, and is expected 
to be completed within 36 months.
to be completed within 36 months.
