2027: I’m Taking Over Rivers From Fubara – Gborogbosi
From MAUREEN DICK, Port Harcourt
The governorship candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP) in Rivers State, in the 2023 general election, Lessi Gborogbosi, has declared his preparedness to take over governance of the state from Governor Siminalayi Fubara in 2027.
Gborogbosi, who spoke in Port Harcourt on Friday, said in the meantime, he would provide his advisory and expertise to Governor Fubara in providing good governance to Rivers people.
He said: “As the next governor of Rivers State, I will take over from His Excellency Governor Fubara after the next election, by the grace of God.
“In the meantime, my advisory and expertise will be available to Governor Fubara in providing good governance.
“With a career spanning over three decades in leadership roles, I bring a wealth of experience and a vision that resonates with the aspirations of the people of Rivers State.
“Having honed my skills in the private sector through working at Shell Nigeria, I am well-prepared to transition into the role of Chief Executive Officer of Rivers State.
“My candidacy emphasises governance guided by principles of integrity, competence, and a deep-rooted faith. My commitment to serving the people with sincerity and accountability is a cornerstone of my vision for the future of Rivers State.
The former APP gubernatorial candidate said that he has a nine-point roadmap that would address the needs of Rivers people and bring transformation to the State.
He highlighted the Nine Governance Priorities (NGP), which include, Good and Integrated Governance (GIG), Job Creation (JC), Solid Education (SE), Secure Society (SS), Strong Economy (SE), Three New Cities (TNC), Human Capital Development (HCD), Accessible Health (AH) and Pension Transformation and Regular Payment (PTRP).
He stated: “I have a clear and comprehensive roadmap for the development and progress of Rivers State.
“Central to my vision are Nine Governance Priorities (NGP), each designed to address critical areas of development and upliftment within Rivers State.
“These priorities are not mere promises, but actionable plans that reflect my commitment to effecting positive change in the welfare of the people.
“One of my key priorities is good and integrated governance. The state government, local government, state House of Assembly, the judiciary, traditional rulers, private sector, and social sector will work together to deliver happiness to the people of Rivers State. The goal is to achieve development everywhere.
“We will budget yearly, ₦30 billion for job creation to enable us to create between 23,000 to 30,000 jobs per year across Rivers State, having 1,000 jobs per LGA.
“We will invest in all sectors of the economy using Public Private Partnerships. We plan to set up an ultra-modern music recording studio and event centre at low costs for entertainers. Every senatorial area will have a standard stadium. The goal is for anyone staying in villages to access job opportunities.”
Gborogbosi continued: “A solid education is also critical to our future success. We must invest in our schools, teachers, and students to ensure access to high-quality education for all. My focus is to move from the “education of knowing” to the “education of solving problems”. The goal is to develop innovative minds to solve societal problems.
“A secure society is also necessary for our citizens to thrive. We must work to create a safe and secure environment for everyone, free from crime and violence. We will invest in the police force, the courts, and community policing to protect lives and properties and secure operating environments for business interests.”
According to him, “A strong economy is also crucial to our success. We must work to attract new businesses and funds to Rivers State while also supporting our existing businesses to help them grow and thrive.”
He added: “I am focusing on building three new cities in Rivers State. Port Harcourt will remain the administrative capital of Rivers State. I will situate a new city in each of the three senatorial areas. These cities will be economic cities and economic hubs.”
He said priority should be placed on human capital development, adding that his government would invest in the youth and women, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed in today’s economy.
Ends.