Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday justified his administration’s decision to take over the management of primary healthcare from local government councils, saying the move was necessary to reverse years of poor service delivery and has begun to yield positive results.
Fubara spoke during the inauguration of the Ahoada Zonal Hospital, a newly completed secondary healthcare facility designed to serve communities across the Rivers West Senatorial District.
The governor recalled that residents suffered greatly when primary healthcare was left solely in the hands of local councils, stressing that the state government had to intervene to achieve meaningful outcomes.
“What we are doing here is to support the local government, as some of these responsibilities are primarily theirs. Primary healthcare was left with the LGAs and we suffered a lot. We realised that if we truly wanted results, some of these responsibilities had to be taken away, and I am happy that this decision is already yielding positive results,” he said.
Fubara said his administration made the right call by embarking on major hospital projects across the state, noting that the Ahoada and Bori Zonal Hospitals had already been inaugurated, while similar facilities in Degema, Omoku and Etche would be completed and commissioned before the end of March 2026.
According to him, the focus of his government goes beyond road construction and housing to include heavy investments in education and quality healthcare as core pillars of effective governance.
“All ongoing projects in Ahoada will be completed, and we will also initiate new ones as requested by the people,” he assured.
The governor described the Ahoada Zonal Hospital as a strategic healthcare hub that would reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, particularly the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital in Port Harcourt.
“This project is not just one we inherited; it is a pre-decorated inheritance. It is meant to serve Ahoada and, by extension, Abua, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni and even Emohua as the closest neighbour. Instead of everyone running to BMH, this facility can provide services close to what you get in a teaching hospital,” he said.
Fubara stressed that the government did not make a mistake in undertaking what he described as a “complicated but necessary” project, adding that similar zonal hospitals were being developed in Bori, Degema, Omoku and Etche.
“What we are telling our people is simple: your health is important to us. No matter how much wealth you have, you need good health to enjoy it. The well-being of our people remains the top priority of this government,” he said, while commending the Ministry of Health for its commitment.
The governor also thanked the people of Ahoada and the Ekpeye Kingdom for their steadfast support, acknowledging the sacrifices made by many in standing with his administration.
In a political appeal, Fubara called on stakeholders in the Orashi region to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and work towards ensuring his re-election in 2027.
“We have taken on the responsibility of making 2027 easier for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State. The projects we are executing are so that our people will see a responsible government and have every reason to listen to us and support us,” he said.
He urged political leaders and supporters to begin early mobilisation, saying, “You already have the machinery. Start the work now so that 2027 will be an easy ride for Mr President in this Orashi region.”
