Rivers State Administrator Vows To Fix Vandalised Infrastructure

Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, has pledged to prioritise the repair of vandalised infrastructure throughout the state, using available financial resources to restore essential services and facilitate economic activity.

The commitment was made during an inspection tour of several ongoing projects and vandalism sites on Friday, which included road projects, local government secretariats, and the newly opened Bori Zonal Hospital.

The tour included inspections of the Nyhokhana-Kenkhana road that connects Luuwa and Baani Communities, as well as the Zakphor-Bateem road, both of which are located in Khana Local Government Area.

Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas also reviewed progress on the Eleme internal roads and drainages, as well as the Eleme section of the Port Harcourt Ring Road Project.

A significant portion of the tour was dedicated to assessing the extent of damage to the Khana and Eleme Local Government Council Secretariats.

According to a statement issued by the Government House press unit on Friday night, the Administrator was dismayed by the level of destruction he witnessed.

“It is disheartening,” he said, emphasising that vandalism harms the state, regardless of the motivations behind it.

“We have a responsibility to the people we supervise to keep these facilities and infrastructure in good working order.”

He also pledged to address the damage using the state’s limited resources. “We have committed to repairing the majority of the vandalised infrastructure with the limited resources that we have. It is a commitment that I believe we must fulfil in order to enable those who use them to return to work.”

Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibas intends to continue his assessment in other local government areas, with the goal of fostering trust and unity among Rivers State residents.

He reaffirmed his commitment to completing the State House of Assembly project, which will allow that branch of government to resume normal operations.

The Administrator emphasised the importance of responsible resource management at the local government level, urging those in charge to prioritise the needs of the people. “People are watching.

They want to know exactly what we do with their money. We need to limit the damage caused by providing good governance.

I believe that once the people are satisfied with what we are doing, the likelihood of them taking laws into their own hands will be reduced.”

Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas emphasised the importance of road infrastructure in promoting development and commerce.

“The more roads we have, the more commerce – that is, the means of commuting become convenient. We are attempting to create wealth. Without roads, of course, your produce can rot before it reaches the market.”

He concluded by urging citizens to maintain the infrastructure once it was completed.