Fresh drama in Rivers politics as Fubara, Amaewhule clash over rot in public schools

Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, have again clashed, this time over the worsening condition of public schools across the state, especially at the primary and secondary levels.

The Speaker, while addressing lawmakers, lamented what he described as the embarrassing decay in schools, blaming the situation on neglect by the executive arm of government.

Amaewhule said the Assembly’s investigative visits revealed disturbing conditions that should worry any responsible administration.

According to him, some schools now operate with one teacher handling two classes simultaneously under the same roof.

He narrated how primary one and two pupils were being taught in the same classroom, with the teacher switching between both groups while the children struggled to follow lessons in a facility lacking toilets, electricity, and basic security.

He expressed shock that such a school shares a fence with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) headquarters yet operates without power supply, and sits directly opposite the Police headquarters but remains overrun by vandals who have stripped the premises of what is left of its infrastructure.

The Speaker accused the executive of ignoring the Assembly’s resolutions on the matter, insisting that nothing had been done to address the crisis despite repeated complaints.

He questioned why funds always surfaced for political mobilisation but not for employing teachers or improving learning conditions for children.

Amaewhule noted that the last administration had concluded plans to recruit 10,000 workers across the state, with interviews already conducted, but the process was abandoned.

He described the situation as unacceptable, stressing that the Assembly would no longer fold its arms while schoolchildren suffer and teachers endure impossible working conditions.

According to him, the decline cannot be blamed on lack of resources.

He disclosed that the former Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ibas, left over N600 billion in the state’s account as at October, saying such funds should have been deployed to rescue the collapsing education system.

He cited complaints from parents across communities, from Township School 2 to schools in Etche where pupils reportedly learn under roofs overtaken by weed growth, as evidence of the depth of the crisis.

But responding to the Speaker, Governor Fubara insisted that improving the state’s education sector remained a top priority.

He revealed that education would receive the largest share of the 2026 budget, reflecting his administration’s commitment to reversing years of decline.

Fubara, who spoke at the opening of the 123/124 combined quarterly meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, acknowledged that many schools were indeed in terrible condition.

However, he stressed that the deterioration did not start under his watch, noting that the rot had been a major campaign issue during the 2023 elections.

The governor said his administration was taking a strategic, well-planned approach guided by his background in public administration.

He added that while emotions may run high, the state needed long-term reforms rather than hurried, politically motivated decisions.

On healthcare, Fubara cited the ongoing upgrades of zonal hospitals and improvements in welfare for healthcare workers as proof of progress in the sector.

He also maintained that job creation remained a priority but cautioned that recruitment, including the anticipated 10,000 positions, would be based strictly on the needs of the state and not politicised.

Fubara used the occasion to commend traditional rulers for their role in stabilising the state during the political crisis that threatened governance earlier in the year.

Monday’s session marked the third and fourth combined meeting of the year, as well as the fourth since he assumed office.

Join Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!