Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fully implement the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria regarding the political crisis in the state.
The governor emphasized that the interest of Rivers State must always take precedence over personal interests, regardless of the challenges faced.
Governor Fubara gave this assurance on Tuesday during the inauguration of the new Judges’ Quarters, a housing facility completed by his administration for judges indigenous to Rivers State by birth or marriage. The event took place at Old GRA in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
“It has not been an easy 16 months, but what is important is the interest of our State, which must be above our personal interest. I want to say it here, very loud and clear to everyone: the Supreme Court has given a judgment, my administration is going to implement the judgment to its fullest. The reason is clear: It is not about me, it is about the good of this State,” he said.
The governor lamented the significant financial resources expended by both sides in prosecuting the political crisis, describing it as regrettable. He noted that such resources and efforts would have been more beneficial if channeled toward initiatives that promote the state’s development.
Commenting on the Judges’ Quarters project, Governor Fubara highlighted his administration’s commitment to the welfare of judicial officers. He explained that the project was inherited from the previous administration and, based on reports from the Ministry of Justice and concerns from the judiciary, it became imperative to complete it.
“We give glory to God that today, we have completed this project, and we are willing and ready to hand it over to the lucky judges who are going to live here so that they can perform their duties effectively,” he said.
The governor stressed the importance of proper maintenance of the housing facility and assured that his administration would provide the necessary support to ensure it meets the required standards.
Performing the inauguration, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, recalled laying the foundation stone for the project on May 22, 2023, under the previous administration. He expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for continuing and completing the project, which he described as a significant milestone for the Rivers State Judiciary.
Justice Amadi said, “We are pleased with this landmark achievement, which represents the continuation of the policy of providing befitting residential accommodation for judges of Rivers State on an owner-occupier basis or monetary ground in lieu thereof. This is backed by the Rivers State Housing Scheme for Judicial Officers Law No. 10 of 2021, passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and signed into law by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.”
He added that the policy of providing official accommodation for judges has greatly reduced the pressure on judicial officers, who previously struggled to build retirement homes while in service with limited resources. “Such pressure and desire to own a retirement home in time past was a major concern and had its own impact on job performance,” he noted.
In her address, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo, explained that the Rivers State Housing Scheme for Judicial Officers, Law No. 10 of 2021, established a housing scheme for judicial officers who are indigenes of Rivers State either by birth or marriage.
Mrs. Clapton-Ogolo said, “The scheme provides for ownership of a decent accommodation in the state by every judicial officer who is an indigene of Rivers State or married to an indigene of Rivers State or monetization of the accommodation, subject to the approval of the government. In accordance with the above law, today, the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State will commission seven duplexes of five bedrooms, which are exquisitely furnished. Our judges deserve nothing less. I pray that these duplexes will not just be living houses for our judges, but homes where our judges will find peace and rest as they discharge their duties, as judges, to God and to men.”
Governor Fubara concluded by reaffirming his commitment to peace and development in Rivers State, stating, “Thank God where we are today, I can assure you publicly that, any day, any time, I have not gone back on that my statement: that nothing (no price) is too big to pay for peace in this State, because at the end of the day, it is about our people. It is not about me, I will leave office but the good work that I have done will speak for me and will defend my generation.”
The inauguration of the Judges’ Quarters underscores Governor Fubara’s dedication to improving the welfare of judicial officers and fostering a conducive environment for the administration of justice in Rivers State.
