Distinguished members of the press, fellow Rivers people, stakeholders, and friends,.
After months of stalled democratic governance, Rivers people felt the pains of fading promises and hopes. It is not just refreshing but also reassuring to once again return to democratic governance.
On behalf of the Rivers Grassroots Movement, it is our honour to officially welcome His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, and the Rivers State House of Assembly as they resume the solemn duty of democratic governance in our state.
The turn of constitutional democracy in our state demanded that leadership would immediately respond to the yearnings of the people and restore confidence to the system.
We therefore commend the Governor for his swift response to the call of duty and for taking bold, people-centered steps that have begun to reactivate the economic life of Rivers State.
Under his swift direction, many previously stalled projects have been reactivated and contractors mobilised back to site — a development that signals renewed progress across critical infrastructure projects in the state and restores hope to communities that endured months of uncertainty.
We especially appreciate and applaud the Governor’s decisive action to revoke the ₦134 billion Secretariat Renovation contract awarded during the emergency administration — a contract that, in the judgment of Rivers people, did not reflect prudent fiscal management or the developmental priorities of the state.
By annulling this contract and ordering refunds of ₦20 billion in hastily-awarded payments, His Excellency has demonstrated the fiscal discipline and public-interest stewardship our people rightly expect.
We also applaud Governor Fubara’s approval for the payment of eight months’ salary arrears to newly recruited health workers under the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board.
The payment, confirmed to be disbursed alongside October salaries and covering approximately 1,000 health personnel deployed across the state’s 23 local government areas, addresses an urgent welfare concern and reaffirms the administration’s commitment to strengthening our health sector and supporting the professionals who serve our people.
Taken together, these actions — the reactivation of projects, the reversal of imprudent expenditures, and the prioritisation of workers’ welfare and health system improvements — illustrate a clear and welcome shift toward transparent, people-oriented governance that places the interests of Rivers people first.
The restoration of democratic governance has created the enabling environment for these positive changes.
As an organisation rooted in the grassroots and committed to promoting good governance and accountability, the Rivers Grassroots Movement hereby reaffirms its support for the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS.
Our endorsement is not merely personal. It is an endorsement of the future of Rivers State — a future grounded in prudent stewardship, social investment, and tangible development for the people.
We congratulate the Rivers State House of Assembly for resuming its constitutional role and for partnering in restoring democratic governance. The swift return to legislative responsibility is a welcome signal that the checks, balances, and oversight necessary for accountable governance are being restored in the state.
In the same spirit of protecting the welfare of ordinary Rivers people, the Rivers Grassroots Movement is deeply concerned about the rapid escalation of rents and the proliferation of excessive agent fees and sundry charges in Port Harcourt, which are making housing increasingly unaffordable for many families.
The current economic realities — rising prices and dwindling household incomes — demand proactive legislative action.
We therefore call on the Rivers State House of Assembly to urgently review and carry out necessary amendments to the Rivers State Landlord & Tenants Law (Revised Edition Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, Edict 1991) to contain exploitative practices by some real estate practitioners, regulate unreasonable agent fees and sundry charges, and create mechanisms that protect tenants from arbitrary and predatory increases — while also ensuring that legitimate property owners continue to receive fair value for their assets.
Such amendments should be guided by the dual aims of housing affordability and equitable protection — to shield vulnerable families from exploitative practices, to promote transparent rental processes and fee structures, and to set enforceable standards that provide certainty to both tenants and property owners.
We urge legislators to engage stakeholders, including tenants’ associations, landlords, estate agents, consumer advocates, and community leaders, in crafting amendments that are fair, enforceable, and responsive to the prevailing economic challenges faced by Rivers people.
Taken together, the reactivation of projects, the reversal of imprudent expenditures, the prioritisation of workers’ welfare, and the urgent call to make housing affordable represent the kind of people-oriented governance that Rivers people sorely need.
As an organisation rooted in the grassroots and committed to good governance and accountability, the Rivers Grassroots Movement hereby reaffirms its support for the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS — not merely for the man but for the future of Rivers State that his leadership promises.
We call on all arms of government, civil society, traditional institutions, and every well-meaning Rivers person to join hands in rebuilding trust, accelerating inclusive development, and defending the common good.
May this renewed season of governance heal divisions, restore confidence, and deliver tangible improvements to the daily lives of Rivers people.
Signed:
High Chief Hon. Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich (Egberipapa)
National Leader, Rivers Grassroots Movement (RGM)
