RSG Dismisses Claims On Sack Of Gov's Aides, LG Bosses .Says Work Ongoing On Flagship PH Ring Road Project

The Rivers State Government has dismissed insinuations in some quarters and social media posts that following Monday's attempts by some lawmakers to cause political crisis in the state, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has sacked members of the State Executive Council, all local government chairmen, among others.

The government also discountenanced social media posts claiming that the governor has suspended work on the flagship Port Harcourt Ring Road project.

These clarifications were contained in two separate statements signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, in response to media enquiries. 

In the statement, Johnson said: "There had been unfounded reports making the rounds on various media platforms about His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, sacking certain categories of his aides and local council chairmen.

"This is to clarify that His Excellency has not given me such directive as the official spokesman of the state government as at today, Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

"Our dear governor is a technocrat, with robust civil service background, kind-hearted, and a very humane person who does things according to laid down rules, and with the fear of God.

"We, therefore, ask Rivers people and the general public to jettison such unconfirmed reports as the public will be properly informed of who may have been removed by His Excellency at the appropriate time.

"It is pertinent to note that as the Commissioner for Information and Communications, I shall keep the public updated of events in due course."

In the second statement, Johnson said: "The attention of Rivers State Government has been drawn to news being circulated that the flag-ship project of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the 50.15km Dual Carriage Ring Road has been suspended.

"We wish to inform Rivers people and the general public to regard such information as false. The project is for the advancement of our state and the improvement of the economy of our dear State therefore nothing whatsoever can stop it at this stage. 

"For the avoidance of doubt, 77% of the contract sum has been paid and the construction firm is making frantic efforts to complete the job within schedule.

"Please, let's be guided as we ask information and news managers to always verify their stories before going to the public space," Johnson added.