Rivers Govt Not Against Police, Says Fubara

.Seeks end to cultism, vices in institutions of learning 

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration has no grudges against the Nigeria Police Force despite the alleged disconcerting ploys some of its officers had engaged in to derail governance in the state.

The governor urged management of institutions of learning in the state to ensure an end to cultism and other vices in the schools.

Fubara said that despite the display of unprofessionalism of some police officers, his administration has remained a dependable partner of the police in the quest to ensure security of lives and property of Rivers people.

The governor made the assertion, yesterday, when he hosted at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Bala, newly deployed to the State Police Command.

Fubara said he is receiving the new CP with open hands because the police must continue to collaborate with other sister agencies and the government to fight all forms of crime and criminality persistently.

He said, “I can say that we are receiving you with open hands, that is the truth. We don’t have any option. The worst of you, the worst of police is still better than the best of criminals. 

“So, we need to embrace you, whichever way, because you are our friends. We might have our differences, but the most important thing is that the protection of lives, and the security of the State are your responsibility. So, we must work together not minding issues that we have had in the past.

“But, I need to just set some records straight: This government as it stands today, as it moves on, has no personal problem with the Nigeria Police Force, more especially the Rivers State Command. 

“I can boldly say here that not minding whatever had happened in the past, we have lived up to our own responsibility in supporting the Nigeria Police. So, for us to do this, we understand the important role that the police play in our State.”

The governor assured that his administration will continue to give requisite support that will enable the police to succeed in crime fighting. He asked them to be very professional, do the right thing always, and refuse being used against the law and peace of the society.

While harping on the need for the police to be professional, Fubara said that with the peace prevailing in the State, there is less task for the police to do. Just as he encouraged the police management team to have implementation strategies to advance the community policing pattern he wants to adopt to tackle crime in the state. 

The fight against such criminals, Fubara said should be aimed at smoking them from their hideouts, adding that if community policing is the right approach, it should be effectively deployed to reduce crime to the barest minimum.

In his address, CP Bala, said he undertook the courtesy visit as a peaceful police officer, to formally report to the governor, seek his blessing and solicit his support in the collective quest to keep Rivers State safe and peaceful for all residents.

Meanwhile, the state governor has wondered why people seem so comfortable to allow society degenerate into a place where mediocrity is rewarded and celebrated instead of excellence.

The governor has, therefore, urged those in positions of authority, particularly those serving in his administration, to work to reverse such ugly trend, by pursuing value re-orientation to restore the culture of reward for excellence.

Fubara gave the charge while inaugurating the Governing Council of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, and the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Giving his charge, Fubara urged them to appreciate the prevailing situation around the administration and the need for them to be intentional in providing their best services for the state.

“We want you to work very hard for that institution, more especially it is your own, you are from there. Part of the problem that we have in the society today is because we have lost the aim of value. We don’t have what is called value system anymore.

“People that are being celebrated are cultists. People that are being celebrated are people who cause problems, one way or the other. It is no longer the norm when we say, we are looking at excellence, we are looking at good character.”