•Says underutilisation of seaports stunts Rivers economy
•N’Assembly caucus lauds Tinubu, urges cordiality between Fubara, lawmakers
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, met behind closed doors with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Dressed in a white caftan and black cap, Fubara arrived at the Villa around 6.22p.m. for his first meeting with the President since the lifting of the emergency in Rivers on September 18, 2025.
The governor lamented the enormous economic opportunities lost due to the underutilisation of the two seaports in the state, saying that until their capacities were optimised, Rivers and Nigeria would continue to miss out on jobs, investments and industrial growth.
Meanwhile, Rivers caucus in the National Assembly applauded Tinubu for not extending the emergency rule in the state.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Fubara said his visit was primarily to thank the President and reaffirm his resumption of office.
“You are aware that the suspension was lifted on September 17, and I came in on September 19. Ideally, it was proper for me to see the President to inform him that I am back and have resumed my responsibilities as Governor of Rivers.
“It was simply a father-son discussion, thanking him and seeking his guidance on areas where issues may arise, so that we don’t find ourselves in any situation of crisis,” he said.
On the President’s remarks, Fubara said: “He advised me on what to do and how best to move forward in governance.”
Asked about his relationship with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the governor declared: “I don’t know what you mean by ‘paper peace.’ As far as I am concerned, we have made peace. Fubara and his principal are working together.”
Tinubu had, in a national broadcast on March 18, declared a state of emergency in the state, suspended democratic structures and appointed a sole administrator to oversee its affairs for six months.
As of press time, the agenda of Fubara’s meeting with the President had not been disclosed.
Fubara’s visit came shortly after the President held separate meetings with the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, among others.
Fubara, while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Board and Management, led by its Chairman, Adeyeye Clement, in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, said: “We are blessed with the Port Harcourt and Onne seaports, but the truth is, they are underutilised.
“Imagine if Onne Port was working at full capacity, the level of activities around Eleme, Tai and the surrounding areas would transform the entire state’s economy. It will drive employment, create opportunities in manufacturing, and expand clearing and forwarding operations.”
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, stressed that seaports remain critical to national development, noting that world-class ports and airports drive prosperity in many countries.
According to him, Rivers is strategically blessed with seaports in Port Harcourt and Onne, yet their potential remains largely untapped.
He observed that maximising the capacity of both ports would attract industries seeking proximity to export facilities, reduce logistic costs, and boost confidence among manufacturers. He added that the ripple effects would cut across job creation, business growth, and tax revenues for the government.
In his address, Clement said: “Nigeria is blessed with a number of littoral states that have such rich marine resources that are veritable catalysts to economic growth.”
Adedayo pledged the commitment of the board to driving operations at the two ports in Rivers to optimal levels. He also solicited assistance from the state government in rehabilitating access roads to the ports, support to achieve environmental cleanliness, fight illegal parking of trucks that cause traffic nuisance and provide a Police post to address issues of insecurity.
In a statement jointly signed by Sen Bari Mpigi, Dum Dekor, Kingsley Chinda and Cyril Hart (the Caucus Secretary), the caucus urged Fubara and House of Assembly members led by Martins Amaewhule to forge a common front by working harmoniously for the growth of Rivers.
Calling on the elders, leaders, stakeholders, and the people of Rivers to embrace togetherness by supporting Fubara and members of the Assembly in their resolve to work harmoniously for the interest of the state, they pledged their commitment to protecting the interest of Rivers at all times.
