As part of plans to tap from the huge potentials that abound outside the country, the Rivers State Government has disclosed plans to establish a data bank of its citizens resident in foreign countries.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi made the disclosure while receiving Community of Rivers People in Diaspora through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr George Feyii yesterday in Port Harcourt.
‘’ Like I said it is important that you let us know that you are the pool of resources and expertise and knowledge we can use. If you do not let us know, we would not know. If you do not tell anybody you are there, he would not know you are there’’ the governor noted.
Amaechi reminded them that considering the development agenda of his administration, it was necessary that they create a linkage through which the government can tap from their knowledge and expertise to drive change.
‘’ There must be few persons who should be prepared to make the sacrifice and develop that linkage then you would be in a position to now call on the data bank and when we require things we are able to draw on it and use’’ he said.
The governor stressed that the data bank had become necessary so that those in the diaspora can contribute their quota to the state development, as he reasoned that it was unproductive for them to stay in the comfort of foreign land without input to their home countries.
He also believed that they could contribute to the quality of governance at home since the quality of people in government reflects directly on the quality of governance.
Amaechi assured them that the state government would continue to pursue its development agenda, stating that the administration is poised to open up and link the city with other parts of the state. For example, he explained that the new Peter Odili -Woji link Road would link the East-West Road, while the new proposed M1 Road would link Diobu straight to the airport.
Earlier, interim President of the Community of Rivers People in Diaspora, Engr. Kinikanwo Elenwo said the data bank is long overdue since it would enable government to know ‘who, where, what, when and why’ of its citizens abroad.
He further said,” Our partnership with government would contribute towards the achievement of the MDGs because we have engineers, manufacturers, farmers, accountants, inventors lecturers, planners, health workers and doctors’’.
Engr. Elenwo however pleaded with the state government to establish a state desk for those in the diaspora, in line with federal character, and an office of Special Adviser on Diaspora Matters.