Fubara Criticizes Commissioner For Inaccurate Report On School Reconstruction
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the total reconstruction and landscaping of Okrika Grammar School (OGS) in Okrika Local Government Area. During a site visit on Monday, Governor Fubara voiced his disappointment after discovering that the progress made was far less than the 70 percent completion rate reported by the Commissioner for Education.
In a statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Governor Fubara, visibly displeased, announced his decision to summon a meeting with the contractors responsible for the project. He stated his intent to deliver a clear warning to ensure adherence to the project’s agreed specifications and timelines.
“I have heard several reports from the Commissioner for Education, giving me updates, and I felt this is my constituency, so I should visit,” Fubara said. “As a matter of fact, Okrika is dear to me, so I need to see for myself the extent of work done and the standard delivered too. My assessment: I need to be very raw—I am not satisfied. That is the truth.”
The governor expressed concern over the disparity between the reports he received and the reality on the ground. He indicated his willingness to personally take over the supervision of the project to ensure that the people of Okrika receive a quality educational facility once again.
Governor Fubara emphasized the significance of Okrika Grammar School to the state’s history, noting that the institution had produced numerous influential figures in politics and other fields both within and outside Rivers State. As one of the oldest and most prominent secondary schools in the state, its renovation is central to the governor’s broader vision of revitalizing the state’s education sector. The project aims not only to modernize the school’s infrastructure but also to restore its legacy as a leading academic institution.
In addition to his visit to Okrika Grammar School, Governor Fubara also inspected the ongoing work on the Woji-Akpajo-Alesa-Eleme-Port Harcourt Refinery Road and bridge. This infrastructure project is vital for improving connectivity and accessibility in the state, particularly to key industrial hubs like the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Governor Fubara’s actions reflect his administration’s commitment to ensuring that public projects are completed to a high standard and within the specified timeline. His decision to personally oversee the reconstruction of Okrika Grammar School is part of a broader strategy to hold contractors accountable and guarantee that public funds are utilized effectively.
The governor’s tough stance on project management is also seen as a response to rising concerns about the quality and pace of public works across the state. By directly intervening, Fubara aims to deliver on his administration’s promises to improve educational infrastructure and other key public amenities that affect the daily lives of Rivers State residents.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how quickly contractors will respond to the governor’s directives and whether the project will now proceed at the expected pace to meet the needs of the community. Nonetheless, Governor Fubara’s firm handling of the issue sends a clear signal about his priorities and his unwillingness to tolerate delays or substandard work on critical state projects.
