Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the decentralisation of Rivers State University (RSU) campuses has not yielded the expected outcomes.
The previous administration, led by former Governor Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister, had established three additional RSU campuses in Ahoada, Emohua, and Etche Local Government Areas.
Each campus was designated to host a faculty, aligning with what Wike described as the original vision of the university’s founders, while the main campus remains in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, near Mile 3 Market in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving members of the Kalabari ethnic group on a solidarity visit, Governor Fubara described the decentralised campuses as unviable.
Responding to calls for the establishment of a higher institution in the Kalabari area, Fubara stated that his administration would not create tertiary institutions indiscriminately.
Instead, he emphasised a preference for vocational higher institutions that would be self-sustaining and attract funding, including support from the Federal Government.
He said, “Regarding the tertiary institution, it will not be like the campuses that were created but are not self-sustaining”
“We will study it carefully, and whatever we establish must be self-sustaining. It is not just about creating a tertiary institution; it has to be one that, while receiving government support, can also attract federal attention. It must be specialised to stand the test of time”.
The governor further disclosed that there have been requests for the decentralised RSU campuses to be reintegrated into the main campus.
He said, “As of today, there is a memo recommending that those campuses be consolidated back into the main campus of the university. Ours will not follow that path”. Governor Fubara also promised to complete ongoing projects and undertake new ones in the three Local Government Areas of Degema, Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru that make up the Kalabari Ethnic Group.
Notable among the ongoing projects are the 12.5km, Trans-Kalabari Road, worth N200bn and 19.7 Km Buguma – Abalama – Tema -Degema -Abonnema Road.
He said his administration is courageously executing these strategic projects to open up Kalabari land for unprecedented development and economic growth.
The Governor stated that while previous administrations avoided executing the original plan for the Trans-Kalabari Road project due to cost implications, he has ventured into it and driving the process steadily in order to link Kalabari land to the State capital.
“Somebody said, if I don’t do it for my people, who will do it for them. We ventured into the Trans-Kalabari Road, we didn’t close our eyes. Our eyes were open because we knew what we were entering into.
“It is not a joke; it is a big project. We believe that at the end of that project, the level of development that it will attract to that line of entry into Kalabari will be very unprecedented.
“Issues of insecurity from our waterways will be reduced because, at that point we are doing road, people won’t be using the river anymore. The cost of living will also be cheaper.”
Responding to their unanimous endorsement to see him run for a second term in office, Governor Fubara expressed confidence that nothing will stand in the way of his victory in 2027 should he decide to seek a second term.
The governor, however, emphasised that his administration is more focused on delivering meaningful impact in the state rather than the duration of its time in office.
He added, “Power belongs to God. So, you see, I like believing that we don’t have any problem. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. If we can break the bridge, Moses will come and create a road for us. So, you don’t need to worry.
“We will cross the bridge. We will cross it in a way that our enemies will be struggling; they won’t see where we are passing. So, don’t worry.”
Governor Fubara acknowledged the immense support to him by Rivers Ijaw, and urged particularly the Kalabari people to stand with honour in their unalloyed support for his administration, which will neither abandon them nor fail to deliver quality projects to the people.
Governor Fubara also responded to other requests.
He said the Health Commissioner has been directed to assess the state of the Abonnema General Hospital for immediate rehabilitation, while promising to address the issues of shore protection in the area.
Governor Fubara assured the people that with the Abonnema sand filling works completed, the phase two will commence that will include Buguma, explaining that the Commissioner for Works has been tasked to do the assessment immediately.
Reading the address of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality, Chief Pawariso Samuel Horsfall, announced that the entire Kalabari people have unanimously endorsed Governor Fubara for a second term, and vowed to mobilise Rivers people to ensure electoral victory for him in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
In his speech, the leader of the delegation and Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bobmanuel, expressed the profound thanks of the Kalabari people to Governor Fubara for his genuine love for them, as evidenced in the types and quality of development projects delivered or being executed in the area.
