A Senator who represented Rivers East Constituency in the 4th Republic, John Azuta Mbata has asked the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to banish the thought of controlling proceedings in Rivers State from Abuja.
The Elder Statesman asked Wike to rather focus on delivering on the task given to him by President Bola Tinubu as the minister.
Mbata who was elected Senator for the Rivers East Constituency of Rivers State at the start of the 4th Republic, told the FCT Minister, Wike, that there is no way he can hold sway as the point man in Rivers State when there is a sitting governor in the person of Siminalayi Fubara.
According to him: “He is a minister now and also doing well, all we pray is for him to continue doing well and to face his job in Abuja and allow the Governor of Rivers state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to do his own work.
“We continue to say that we support the government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara and we will be unwavering in that pursuit because we know that life is turn by turn.
“This is the time and opportunity for Sir Siminalayi Fubara to show his capacity to move Rivers state forward,” he said.
Speaking further, Mbata opened up on how he installed Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government in 1998 against all odds.
“We have been here for a long long time, in 1998, we installed the government of Obio/Akpor local government in the person of Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who is now our illustrious son in Abuja.”
The statesman also paid glowing tribute to his host and the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo for his vision, attitude and capacity in the governance of the second largest local government council in Nigeria.
“I want to salute the vision and the action of the chairman, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, I have also said that any of our leaders who want to do anything should do it, everything you do is an addition because if you don’t do it, that same money may be used for other things which may not be useful.”
In his remarks, the host and Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo promised not to disappoint the people of the LGA who gave him the opportunity to serve.
Ihunwo, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ofonime Okon, said he will work day and night to put smiles on the faces of Obio/Akpor people.
He also saluted Senator John Azuta Mbata for standing firm with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“Under my leadership, Obio/Akpor is safe. I want to also assure our leader and special guest, the true owner of the structure that we will not disappoint the people of Obio Akpor, Distinguished Senator John Mbata, we want to also thank you for standing by our leader, Sir Siminalayi Fubara despite the fact that most of your friends have turned a blind eye to look the other side.
“I am deeply happy that you stood your ground insisting that the right thing be done, that shows that our people are not betrayers.
“Let me announce here that we embarked on this Chairman’s administration building because the current structure is no longer befitting considering that it was built many years ago in 2004, so this is to enhance our work as an administration.”
The one storey building handled by Everfield construction company is expected to be commissioned in three months, the LG Chairman said.
In his project description, the General Manager of the company, Harry Enoch promised to deliver the job in record time and give it the test and beauty befitting of the council.
Earlier, the director of works in Obio/Akpor local government, Mrs Belema Bob-Manuel said the stone laying ceremony has ushered in a new dawn in the young administration of the Executive Chairman of the council.
The foundation laying ceremony held inside the council secretariat in Rumuodomaya was graced by prominent traditional rulers like the King of Rumuolumeni Community, Chukwuemaka Okocha, Nye-weli of Evo kingdom, Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, His Royal Highness, Eze Wali Ejike, the Nye-weli of Mgbuesilari, the state Commissioner for Power, Prince Solomon Abel Eke and his transport counterpart, Prince Collins Onunwo, youth and women groups as well as other invited guests.