Front Pix
Rivers At 45! … Any Reason To Celebrate?
To properly evaluate how well or how poorly Rivers State has faired in the past 45 years such analysis, must, of necessity, underscore the hopes, dreams and ideals that informed the clamour and rigorous agitation for state creation by the founding fathers. It must also ascertain, how well, such dreams have been met.
But more than that, knowing that society is dynamic with change as the only rigid constant, it would be naïve on the part of the writer to limit such literature to dreams about half-a-decade ago, when, the Nigerian nation depended mainly on agriculture and other mineral resources for her economic mainstay, when crude oil only just found was gradually emerging as a major revenue base and out of touch from the areas of production.
Therefore, the evaluation must cover not just the dreams of the founding fathers and the foundation already laid, but more importantly, the conscious efforts made or being made by successive governments, since Alfred Diete-Spiff to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. What infrastructures are being put in place, in anticipation of future growth and development? What efforts are in place to open-up, not just Port Harcourt, the state capital but other rural areas by way of roads, electricity supply, potable drinking water, primary schools, health services, transportation, human capacity development and indeed job creation.
Since no meaningful development can take place in an insecure clime, what is the security situation like? What efforts to prevent intra and inter-communal strife, youth unrest and guarantee social integration of all, if for nothing else to erect an all-inclusive polity where, every stake-holder not only believes in, but also demonstrates a sense of participation in the Rivers project.
Interestingly, Rivers State is no longer what the founders perceived it must be. Not only has the population increased beyond understanding, Port Harcourt, the state capital is today, home to the largest expatriate community in Nigeria, political capital of the oil producing Niger Delta region and indeed the fastest growing commercial city in Nigeria.
Created from the then Eastern Region of Nigeria by Decree No. 19 of 1967, the territory was initially referred to as Oil Rivers Protectorate, due to its vintage role in the palm oil trades of the last two centuries.
From palm oil it is crude oil today and easily goes as the hub of the hydro-carbon industry, accounting for a huge part of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, by being responsible for nearly 50 per cent of the total off-shore oil production activities in Nigeria and 100 per cent of the Liquefied Natural Gas which Nigeria exports.
What is government doing to address the real and apparent dangers of population explosion? What legacies, does the Rotimi Amaechi administration hope to bequeath for posterity after two terms of eight-years in the saddle?
The Tide Deputy Business Editor, Ibelema Jumbo takes a hard look at the Greater Port Harcourt City Development, the prejudices against the implementation of the development plan, the challenges and the modest success thus far recorded while the Group News Editor, Nelson Chukudi and his team of reporters and correspondents assess various on-going and completed projects under the Amaechi era.
Since, as the English philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-73) said in a piece on Liberty 1859… “The worth of a state, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it,” what has government done to build capacity and empower the people, through job creation and other basic initiatives? Apart from dependence on monthly federal allocations, what is the state doing to generate revenue and investment to provide employment for its teeming unemployed youth and ensure food. sufficiency?
Our special correspondent, Felix Okogbule takes a look at Agriculture, the prospects of the state’s Songhai Farm initiative, the automatic employment of graduates of the state’s School of Nursing, on-going recruitment of 10,000 teachers and the engagement of medical doctors to man the various health institutions as avenues of job creation. Another is the award of contracts to indigenous contractors for the construction and equipment of health centres and model primary and secondary schools, not to mention countless other road projects.
Feature Writer Arnold Alalibo takes a cursory look at power-generation and the frustrations of the state in distributing the amount of power generated, while our Health Correspondent Tonye Nria-Dappa lists the achievements and challenges of the health sector.
This year’s anniversary, serves as a turning-point, away from the familiar self-praise, as The Tide’s Special Edition also identifies Weak-Links in government, raises questions about the fate of the Mono-rail and presents views of Rivers people assembled through random interviews. Its “a Vox Pop worth the while”, was how the Group Features Editor, Thomas Abbey described the work, upon submission.
Amaechi’s Birthday
Another significance was injected into the state’s annual observance of May 27, since 2008. It doubles as the birthday of the serving governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. The import of this is that the administration is now judged not annually, but bi-annually; the date Amaechi took office and his own birthday, which coincides with the creation of the state and indeed children’s day.
Apart from serving as a constant reminder of his childhood, and the need to save other children from same, the occasions provide at such times, stake-holders a second privilege of appraising the governor’s activities, his works, words and plans for the future. And far beyond the usual, the people use such moments to challenge their governor to do more, knowing that each moment must present something new, whether a garden patch, a new road, another health centre delivered or a secondary school commissioned.
For this, the governor must as a necessity be on his toes, pursueing set targets and meeting same, ensuring proper supervision of members of his team and working to make certain that weaklinks are strengthened, for the overall success of his administration.
This year The Tide popped the question: Should Amaechi leave office today, what would he be remembered by. Again, the Group Features Editor, Thomas Abbey sent out his foot-soldiers and the outcome, as usual, was worth the while.
Toast To
… The Birthday Girl
Charity begins at home not abroad, so while, The Tide family wishes Governor Ameachi Happy Birthday, it was considered also very paramount that another birthday girl deserves a toast. Our own commissioner, Mrs Ibim Semenitari shares same birthday as Amaechi and Rivers State, so we asked the Woman Editor, Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi, to source materials to propose a birthday toast only as a mother would. Its presented by the Editor.
Our Soccer Teams All that should not have been enough without the one thing that today unites the youth of the world, as it does Nigerians – soccer.
This year’s take on sports, especially soccer, is indeed a lamentation over the fluctuating fortunes of the state’s soccer teams Sharks and Dolphins, all of Port Harcourt. Are they part of the Weaklinks of the Ameachi administration? Our Sports Editor, Gabriel Nwanetanya fell-short of saying so.
All these and more are served hot in this special edition commemorating Children’s Day and the creation of Rivers State. Taste it.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
