Residents of Rivers State may soon see significant improvements in key public facilities as the State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, has pledged to repair vandalized infrastructure in Rivers. He made this commitment during an inspection tour across various affected areas and ongoing government projects on Friday.
Vice Admiral Ibas visited communities in Khana and Eleme Local Government Areas where several road and public building projects are underway or damaged. Some of the road projects he inspected include the Nyhokhana-Kenkhana road that connects Luuwa to Baani communities, as well as the Zakphor-Bateem road. He also assessed the Eleme internal road networks and the Eleme stretch of the Port Harcourt Ring Road project.
One of the most critical points of his visit was the inspection of the vandalised secretariats in Khana and Eleme local governments. The extent of destruction shocked the administrator, who described the situation as “disheartening.” He emphasized that the destruction of government infrastructure hurts the very people such facilities are meant to serve, regardless of the reasons behind such acts.
The issue of vandalised infrastructure in Rivers dates back to a prolonged political crisis that engulfed the state in recent months. Following a fallout between the incumbent governor and his predecessor, political tensions escalated across local government areas. Protesters, believed to be loyal to opposing political factions, reportedly vandalised several public properties, including secretariats, council offices, and other facilities in different parts of the state.
In Khana and Eleme LGAs, the secretariats were among the hardest hit. Offices were looted, furniture destroyed, documents burned, and vital equipment rendered unusable. The violence was not limited to buildings, as road construction work in some areas also came to a halt due to fears of further unrest. As tensions simmered, Rivers State remained in a fragile state, with residents calling for peace and stability.
The appointment of Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas as the State Administrator came as a federal response to help restore order and rebuild trust in the system. Since assuming office, Ibas has emphasized unity, peace, and reconstruction as his top priorities. His recent statement on fixing vandalised infrastructure in Rivers further highlights the administration’s commitment to healing the wounds caused by the crisis.
During the tour, Ibas addressed community leaders and construction workers, stating that the government had made a solid commitment to repair most of the vandalised infrastructure in Rivers. While acknowledging the financial limitations faced by the state, he assured that whatever resources are available will be used responsibly to restore essential services.
“I think we owe the people the duty to ensure that these facilities and infrastructure are in the best order,” he said. “We have made a commitment to fix most of these vandalised infrastructure with the limited resources that we have.”
He noted that people need to see their government taking action and delivering results, which in turn builds trust and reduces tendencies for lawlessness. According to Ibas, functional infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and government offices not only improve the quality of life but also boost local economies and create a sense of stability.
He added that good governance, when seen and felt by the people, helps reduce resentment and discourages vandalism. “Once the people are happy with what we are doing, the chances of them taking laws into their hands will be minimized,” he said.
On the Bori Zonal Hospital which was recently inaugurated, Ibas praised the quality of work done so far and hinted at plans to replicate similar healthcare developments in other zones. He also mentioned his visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly and promised timely completion of renovations so the legislative arm of the government can resume full operations.
Calling on local government leaders, the administrator stressed the importance of accountability and transparency. “Within the limited resources made available to the local government, I want to implore those who are managing those resources to put them to judicious use. The people are watching,” he warned.
Ibas also explained the strategic importance of road infrastructure, especially in rural communities where farmers often struggle to move their produce to markets. “The more roads we have, the more commerce. We are trying to create wealth. Without roads, sometimes you have your produce rotting before they even get to market,” he said.
The administrator concluded his tour by encouraging residents to support the state’s rebuilding efforts. He urged community leaders to protect public infrastructure and work together to ensure Rivers becomes a safe, united, and thriving state once again.
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