Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday made his first public appearance in days amid heightened political tension in the state, pledging that his administration would remain focused on governance despite the ongoing turbulence.
Fubara spoke shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction of the Borokiri and Creek markets in the Town Area of Port Harcourt, a visit that drew cheers from residents and market users, many of whom expressed relief at the governor’s presence.
Addressing the crowd, the governor said he had a duty to continue delivering on the mandate freely given to him by the people of Rivers State, stressing that political distractions would not derail his administration’s commitment to development.
“I promised our people that no matter the situation we are in, we will not lose focus on governance,” Fubara said. “Our people have given us their trust, and the little we owe them is to give them confidence in leadership and ensure that governance continues strongly.”
The governor said the market project was part of broader efforts by his administration to restore order and the aesthetic appeal of Port Harcourt’s Town area, particularly by addressing the problem of roadside trading along Creek Road and other major streets.
Recalling a previous visit to the area last year, Fubara said the decision to reconstruct the markets was informed by the need to provide proper trading spaces for residents while freeing major roads for rehabilitation.
“You are aware that sometime last year I visited this place and promised that to bring back the beauty of the town to its old ambience, we needed to address the issue of people trading along Creek Road and other major streets,” he said.
He explained that the ongoing inspection followed visits to several road projects across the township, adding that market reconstruction was necessary to ensure the success of planned road rehabilitation.
“From what you can see, the contractor has already mobilised to site, and I believe that within the next one week, work will fully commence,” the governor said.
According to him, the absence of properly organised markets has contributed to traffic congestion and poor road conditions along Creek Road, a situation his administration intends to correct.
“What are we trying to do? You can see the difficulty driving through Creek Road because we don’t have a proper settlement for markets,” Fubara said. “If we fix this market, those trading along the streets will move inside. Once that happens, the roads can be properly rehabilitated and the beauty of the town will start reflecting.”
The governor added that the road rehabilitation programme would cover Borokiri and extend across key parts of Port Harcourt township, as part of a coordinated effort to improve urban infrastructure and ease movement within the city.
Fubara’s appearance comes after days of public anxiety and speculation surrounding the political situation in Rivers State, with his outing widely interpreted as a signal of resolve to continue governance amid uncertainty.
