Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the ongoing construction of a 25-unit residential estate for commissioners and special advisers is aimed at reducing government expenditure, enhancing efficiency, and strengthening security coordination.
Speaking after inspecting the project on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the governor explained that the initiative was informed by the absence of official accommodation for top government functionaries.
Fubara noted that previous administrations had maintained official quarters for senior officials, but these were eventually sold off, leaving the state with no structured housing for its executive members. He described the development as a setback that has compelled government to rely heavily on rented apartments.
According to him, the continued payment for private accommodation for commissioners and special advisers had become both costly and unsustainable, necessitating a long-term solution through the provision of a purpose-built estate.
The governor added that housing members of the State Executive Council in a single location would promote closer collaboration, improve response time to official duties, and boost overall productivity.
He also highlighted the security benefits, stressing that centralising the residences of key officials would streamline protection arrangements and reduce the burden of deploying multiple security details.
“When they are all living together, it makes it easier for us to have one unit of security, and this multiple carrying of police will stop,” he said.
Fubara expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and commended the contractor for the progress achieved so far, noting that the project remains on course for completion.
He disclosed that the estate is expected to be delivered and inaugurated by November, adding that it is designed as a durable infrastructure that will stand as a lasting legacy of his administration.