The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo has been applauded by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara for emplacing impactful and verifiable representation laced with delivery of democratic dividends, as an add-on to supporting the executive arm of government in its policies and programmes.

Fubara gave this applause on Saturday, November 9, 2024 in Bonny, Rivers State, while commissioning two ultra-modern townhalls built by Oko-Jumbo in Akiama and Aganya Communities in Bonny Local Government Area of the State.

At the event where the Governor was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Ehie Edison, the Speaker, who also represents Bonny Constituency in the State House of Assembly, doled out N10 million for the empowerment of a 100 persons, as well as full undergraduate scholarship to 30 of his constituents.  

The Governor expressed his gratitude to the Speaker of the State for making the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ibani ethnic nationality proud by being on top of his game in terms of impactful representation, saying that his administration will sustain its collaboration with the State Assembly to better the lives of the people of the State.

“So, the Government and people of Rivers State heartily congratulate you and thank you for being a good ambassador of the Ibani Kingdom. And this is us assuring you that as the Executive arm of Government, we know that the Legislative arm of Government is independent but we will continue to collaborate so that good tidings will always be the portion of our people.

“I thank you Mr. Speaker for your support so far to the Government of Rivers State as we see in your cooperation. The Speaker that screened caretaker committee chairmen, the Speaker that has been helping us ensure that requests from the Executive arm are swiftly confirmed, the Speaker that will give life to the 2025 Budget”.

He said that the citing of constituency projects by the Speaker is an obvious sign that they are elected representatives of the people, adding that the 25 former lawmakers, whom he described as “Abuja-based politicians”, have failed to attract any projects to their constituents.

“This is one of the dividends of democracy as elected representatives of our people to show that you are elected into the House of Assembly to represent your people, one of the obvious signs is constituency projects.”

“The 25 former Assembly members that sacked themselves, has anyone done projects? Have you seen or watched anywhere? Are they inspecting or commissioning projects? These are Abuja-based politicians!”

“Further to that, you are not just commissioning one town hall; we are here in Bonny to commission two state-of-the-art town halls. And before us, you have just implemented economic empowerment of 100 Bonny indigenes to the tune of N10 million cash.

“You have further announced the implementation of tertiary scholarship awards to 30 Bonny indigenes to the highest level of education. What more can we call representation?”

In his speech, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, thanked the people of Bonny for believing in the 10th Assembly, stating that he has no regrets supporting Governor Fubara, asserting that the Assembly will not be distracted by the enemies of the State or by the 25 former members from discharging its functions.

He recalled that the impeachment plot by the former lawmakers against the Governor on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated, but quickly added that the evil plan did not stand because it was resisted by Rivers people.

“We will not be distracted by the enemies of Rivers State. We will not be distracted by the 25 former members of the House of Assembly. What happened on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated. Our God, who hath in Heaven blinded their eyes and made them deaf.

“And as such, they made a fatal mistake when they sought to not just only impeach my brother and friend, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as Leader but to further impeach His Excellency, the Governor. And by God’s grace, today, even though at that time we didn’t think that we would have lasted one month, but Rivers people stood firm, Bonny people stood firm, and we resisted” (and we are still strong today).”

The Speaker explained that the commissioning of the two 500-seater auditorium town halls is in fulfillment of the campaign promise made to the people based on the need-to-gap assessment he carried out, revealing that the 2025 Budget will soon be presented before the 10th Assembly, adding that the Bonny Local Government will be captured in the provision of infrastructure projects.

“Let me use this medium to assure you that we will not rest on our oars until we ensure rapid development comes to Bonny Kingdom. There are so many things that we need as a people. But let me remind you that as Speaker of the House of Assembly, 2025 Budget will soon be passed, which means that Bonny Local Government will be captured in the 2025 Budget that will be presented soon by His Excellency. Today, I am standing strong knowing that I have made the right choice.”

In her remarks, Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Claude-Wilcox gave thumbs-up to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo for prioritising the interest of the people by keeping to his campaign promises, in just one year in the Assembly, despite all distractions.

She also leveraged on the occasion to commend the State Governor, Siminalayi for the peaceful local government election in the State, especially, Bonny LGA, assuring of the resolve of Bonny people to continually support his cause.

Other speakers at the event including the Women Leader of Bonny Kingdom, Helen Pepple, Chairman and Women Leader of Akiama Community, amongst several others thanked Oko-Jumbo for the feat, describing the two projects as people-focused and potentially impactful to the beneficiary communities.

Dignitaries at the event include the Deputy Speaker, Adolphus Orubienimigha, Leader of the House, Sokari Goodboy, State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning; Evans Bipi, Managing Director of the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA), former Speaker of the State Assembly, Adams Dabotorudima, and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State; Chief Emeka Beke.

Others include the Mayor of Port Harcourt; Ezebunwo Ichemati, Chairmen of Emohua LGA; Chief David Omereji, Omuma LGA; Reginald Promise, and Etche LGA; Uzodinma Nwafor, former House of Representatives candidate of the APC, Fubara Hart, amongst others.