The Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara has warned the Ogba-Egbema people to desist from disrupting ongoing reconstruction of the Omoku-Egbema Road in Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of the state or face dire consequences.

Fubara, who addressed monarchs, opinion leaders and other critical stakeholders from the area at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, said it was offensive to receive threats of disruptions on the project from beneficiary communities when an initial contractor their leaders recommended failed to deliver after collecting N12.7billion.
A statement by the governor’s media aide, Boniface Onyedi, said an angry Fubara said: “When a group of people, irrespective of whatever prefix you attach to yourself, tend to threaten the government, we need to call you to order. Maybe you don’t understand the powers of the state government.

“I have the power to dethrone. And I don’t need any letters. But whaat is important with power is how you use it. I feel very bitter, seeing some people, because of my calmness, feel they can take me for granted. If after this time, anything happens again, you will not believe what I will do to those connected to it.”

He continued: “I got a report of a plan to stop the contractor. I got a protest letter from Ogba Egbema Peoples Forum, another from a legal firm, demanding that the Omoku-Egbema Section of the road project be withdrawn from SETRACO and given to Julius Berger. I start wondering who gave such people such power, to be so commanding?“I don’t expect this from you. This project was approved for you people’s benefit. You nominated a contractor. The contractor failed. Now we re-awarded and paid another money.

“Original cost of that job when it was awarded was N8.8billion. It was valued at N13.3billion. Total amount released at that time before the revocation was N12.7billion, so you understand how we feel about this.”

He added: “Now we have re-awarded this job to SETRACO for N7.5billion and we have already committed about N5.2billion to show you our commitment. SETRACO is not a pushover company. To make my position clear, SETRACO will continue with this job. I expect you to give necessary support and cooperation and you have a clean road.

“If you like to sabotage yourselves, don’t sabotage my own administration. I’m calm but I will do something you would not like. Everytime shouldn’t be protests, condemnation or complaints. It gets to a time when everyone comes together for the progress of their community.”

The Oba of Ogba Land, King Nwachukwu Obuohna Obi, Eze Ogba III, who led the stakeholders had told the governor that the protest of the people on the project was provoked by poor communication and engagements between the company and the communities.