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2015: Task Before Parties …Beyond Foul Language, Bad Blouthing
With just months to the 2015 general elections, there still remains a huge gulf between what the parties have in stock for the voting public and what they hope to address. if elected.
Instead, the political climate has been avoidably charged with inflammatory remarks, vain criticism and sometimes highly personalised bad-mouthing.
In the past many months, virtually every issue of national concern has been politicised with hardly any room for a consensus. From the growing insurgency, to the fluctuating fortunes of the nation’s economy, what Nigerians have so far heard and seen are name-calling and blames.
In fact, no day passes without one leader or another from the dominant political parties questioning the other’s patriotism, sincerity of purpose and indeed competence to tackle a problem without any effort to tell Nigerian how differently they hope to tackle the nation’s many maladies.
Now, perhaps is time to tell the parties and their leaders what Nigerians want to know, hear and accept as facts necessary to turn things around for the better. In the case of the ruling party, we expect to know what they hope to sustain and what they hope to do differently if re-elected, while the opposing parties should tell Nigerians how they hope to address the issues, which they consider disturbing.
Let’s consider some of the defining issues in next year’s elections.
State of Insecurity
From a ‘bomb, kill and die’ terrorist’s style insurgency, the Boko Haram has grown to become a full-fledged army with an expansionist tendency. They are now intent on not only wasting human lives but also bent on annexing Nigerian territories, hoist flags and even rename won-territories.
The ruling party says it is equipping the Nigerian troops and forming transnational coalitions to combat the terrorists, knowing that the Boko Haram group moves from one country to another. Army Chief Godwin Minimah also said efforts were made to boost the morale of troops and that they are better equipped and more nationalist-minded to confront the enemy.
Minimah listed troops’ victories in Damaturu, Mubi, Kutiga among others as a reflection of the new spirit of combat-readiness, and involving the civilian populace.
We expect other parties to say what they hope to do differently and more effectively to end the insurgency once and for all.
They should get to the root of the problem and state for sure, what informed the insurgency and how they hope to end it finally.
Falling Price of Crude Oil
From well over 100 dollar per barrel last year, the price of crude is heading far lower than 70 dollar per barrel. For this reason, Federal Ministry of Finance sources are requesting to peg the benchmark for crude at N65 dollars, in the 2015 budget.
With Nigeria’s near total dependence on oil, with no reasonable investment in refining and producing by-products from crude, the global fall in the price of crude is easily felt here in Nigeria than elsewhere.
In announcing what seems fresh austerity measures, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala last week said, the ruling government plans to eliminate wastes in government, avoid duplications, and plug all loop holes of drain, while, announcing welfare measures for the most vulnerable lot of the societal chain-like pregnant women, children and the aged.
Are these measures enough? When some states cannot even pay workers’ salaries as at when due or pay at all. When infrastructural development in some states have been halted on account of poor proceeds?
What will other parties do differently to ensure that falling price of crude does not define our national growth and progress. Specifically, what will the parties do in the short, middle and long terms to re-jig the nation’s economy?
Poverty and illiteracy Eradication
In spite of favourable comments by globally renowned financial experts about the positive health of the Nigerian economy and the amount of foreign investments it attracted recently, poverty and illiteracy remain a serious issue.
Available statistics show that more than 60 percent of the Nigerian population are illiterate and live below the poverty level.
What will the parties do to address this issue, beyond occasional provision of rice, beans, wrappers and other provisions for selected women? Nigerians expect a programme that identifies the most vulnerable, more vulnerable and vulnerable groups, list their various needs and articulate measures that would frontally address peculiarities of each group.
More importantly, Nigerians expect an economic management style which success can be measured by the impact it makes on the many poor.
Graduate Unemployment
Nothing can be more frustrating to indigent parents than borrowing fortunes to see their children and wards through University education only for such graduates to remain liabilities to the same families that expect them to be bread-winners.
The ruling government claims it has provided more than three million jobs and nearly 30 million in the informal sector through special programmes.
Nigerians will like to know what other political parties will do differently that will bring the country back to the years when even school certificate holders were sought after for job placements.
Nigerians want to know what special programmes will be put in place to address the problem in the short, medium and long terms.
Industralisation
Years ago, industries formed the bulk of employers of labour and helped to reduce the people’s appetite for foreign goods. Over time largely due to the oil boom, investments in industries became less profitable while key players blamed the nose dire on challenges ranging from poor infrastructure and cost of raw materials.
The situation got to a point when many government-owned companies closed down after huge public investments. With some of such enterprises now privatized, not much has come by way of employment creation.
Nigerians would like to know the political partys’ programmes on industrialization and manufacturing what plans, if there are, should be expected to encourage a revolution in the industrial and manufacturing sector.
Health and Education
One of the principal responsibilities any government owes the people are functional health and basic education. Is the state of Health and Education, today what it should be? Or can it be better?
We expect political parties to tell Nigerians what plans they have to better both sectors. Most importantly, what plans they have to address the abysmal failures in the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) and the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.
Failure to get admission into a university, fresh from post-primary school, is a major National problem. This is because, the age-bracket of such children makes them most vulnerable and to not be engaged for a full year, waiting to re-write same exams can be very frustrating.
Therefore, what plan can be put in place to reduce, if not eliminate failures in those examinations and ensure university education for the children?
The Niger Delta Question
Even with the falling oil prices, the country still relies on proceeds from oil sourced from the oil producing Niger Delta. The protest and later militancy which erupted in the area, during the Yar’Adua Presidency resulted in the amnesty programme and creation of the Niger Delta Ministry. But what positive changes are there to ensure non-resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta?
Being the main provider of foreign revenue, the Niger Delta still occupies a vital fulcrum of our national survival.
So, what plans do political parties have for the zone, beyond oil? Will the Niger Delta be abandoned when oil finally dries up? What plans are there to give the area some measure of hope in years beyond oil and gas?
My Agony is that the elections are barely months away, yet all, Nigerians have witnessed are abuses, bad mouthing, campaigns of calumny and hate messages. That is not what Nigerians deserve.
John Oyegun, APC National Chairman and Adamu Mu’azu, PDP National Chairman
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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.