Issues
Involving Companies In Wike’s Development Plans
Management staff of C & I Leasing Plc, one of the companies operating in Rivers State, during the presentation of its 2014 Annual Report in Port Harcourt recently. At the event are the Company Secretary, Mr Mbanugo Udenze (middle), Chairman, Air Vice Marshall A.D. Bello and Executive Director, Princess N.U.I Uche
Rivers State Governor,
Chief (Barrister) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike recently said that his administration would not politicise the strategic development interest of the state but would remain committed to the transformation of all sectors of the State Economy.
Chief Wike who stated this during the commissioning of a 3.6 kilometres interlock road network constructed by Orleans Invest West Africa Limited in Ogu, headquarters of Ogu/Bolo Local Government, urged other companies in Rivers State to partner with the government in the development of the state, and commended management of the company for constructing the road for the community.
The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Kenneth Kobani.
As a matter of fact, the co-operation or partnership of companies and government in the development of Rivers State needs to be re-examined to adapt to new competitive strategies and conditions. Globally, there is the new dimension of competition in development which is the predictable result of high growth. The emergence of major companies onto world markets is a breeding ground for developmental competition. This is the reason company and government can now partner to produce or achieve a large-scale growth rates and competitive environments world-wide. On the horizon, and indeed emerging now in many economies, are the companies and governments coming together or pulling their resoruces to develop major giant projects for countries, to develop major giant projects for countries, states or communities.
For example, the very large Salim Group of Indonesia took centre stage throughout the region, using often their Hon Kong subsidiary holding company, First Pacific. Li Ka-Shing of Hong Kong through Hutchison Whampoa has made a major acquisation in Canada of a petroleum company, along with considerable real estate investments there. the CP Group of Thailand are the largest foreign investments in China by most accounts while Robert Kuok of Malaysia and Hong Kong has extended his hotel and media interests world-wide.
All these were part of effective networks of relations throughout the region that brought recent development and high growth in economy and environements, and also made for a focus on cash flow as a key operating measure. . Former President Jiang Zemin of China transformed the country through a striving for consolidated economic reform and political stability.
A strong, stable Rivers State will exert considerable infleunce on world political eqiulibrium. official declarations and actions by Governor Wike since his inauguration on May 29 have clearly shown that his administration intends to return the state to a position of power in the national and international arena, that is, to drastically reduce poverty, insecurity, to avoid unilateral dependence on federal assistance and to strengthen the state’s image of investors safe haven and economic hub of the nation.
The support of multinational companies and banks operating in Rivers State will greatly foster the future development of the state, especially at rural communities via the Corporate Social Responsiblties CSR of such organizations. Their Community Relation Affairs departments must ensure that the companies successfully cope with the challenges arising from the social and economic development of their host communities for smooth and uninterrupted operation. If companies keep to their agreements or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government or and their host communities, it will ensure continuity and pave way for good relationship as well as create employment.
Compliance to laid down agreements will also bring social tensions under control and sustain economic growth. Within the short period on board, the Wike-led government has signed agreements with several companies for the execution of one project or another. So it is with other governments. Recently, a Canada-based science company, NHZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s Traveri Group for a renewable energy project to tackle power challenges in Nigeria.
The project would commence on a pilot scale in Enugu and Nararawa States, said the International President of NHZ, Mr Robert Leth in Abuja. According to Leth, the Company had entered into agreements with the governments of the two states and the project would be funded by accessing 185 billion euros from European Union Fund.
Sometimes the implementation of these agreements becomes a problems as some companies renege on the terms agreed upon. Probably as a result of youth disturbances, which could disrupt work on such projects. It was against this backdrop that the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Thompson Sekibo during the commissioning of the project at Ogu, told the people to sustain the peace in the community to attract more development projects to the area.
He charged youths in the area to resolve their grievances through dialogue while other companies should emulate Orleans Invest in carrying out their corporate social responsibilities. Orleans Invest did not only construct a new layout township road for the Ogu people but also a new market and an ultra-modern palace for the Amanyanabo of Ogu, Nicholas Ibiebele Nimenibo. This is quite commendable of the company.
Playing the politics of bitterness and rancour during the immediate past dispensation in Rivers State was one of the setback witnessed as it caused social disruption, political tension and slowed down economic growth. In a desperate bid to retain power, the immediate past leadership adopted what was often termed an impunitives attitude and disregard for society, and became potentially aggressive towards its past and present political friends and mentors. This led to the neglect or abandonment of several development projects attempted by previous governments in the state, which created the foreboding scenario that dragged the state into a quagmire of static and tension. As the state transforms from being the warmongering tiger much feared by the people into being the pampered domestic cat, we call on multinational and other companies operating in the state to join forces with the government to achieve rapid infrastructural and human capacity development.
In response to this call, the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) on Wednesday, 15th July, 2015 delivered some projects it executed in Okrika to the host communities. The projects commissioned included electricity transformers, water boreholes, schools classroom blocks.
The is another laudable stride in the development of the area, coupled with the rehabilitation of the Eleme-Okrika refinery road which had been in a very deplorable condition for many years. Big thanks to Governor Wike.
It is very clear that these tangible assets and access would increase hundredfolds and demonstrate the real development of the state’s economy and the social status of the people in the area. For the time being, it is believed that about a thousand companies from far and near are located in the state, and the fact that they are working with us, and that they are doing business with us, means only one thing: we are on the right track.
But the question now is; what interests have the oil companies shown in the development of their host communities over the years? How much attention have they given to the payment of compensation to communities affected by the hazards of their operations or activities in terms of oil spills and gas emissions? The geographical location of such people should not be taken for a ride because their lives are in danger.
This, therefore, demands for the re-negotiation of the natural agreements on the exploitation and exploration of the resources in our land. All these have been going through a wait-and-see phase over several decades. Neither the governments directly concerned, nor the Elites of the country and the ordinary citizens are happy about this standby situation. But in the light of these difficulties, no signs have indciated attempteds by the companies concerned to settle the issues once and for all.
No one can foresee the future and it is true that this kind of future is not easily foreseeable, it is safer to begin now to secure our destiny and our future, considering the geographical position of those in the oil-bearing states of the country, particularly, Rivers State. The intention and attempt by the Wike-led administration to turn the state into a modern one might be seen by his critics as utopia but with time, the subject of his economic and other policies will prove to be very realistic, with the collaboration of companies and well-meaning groups and individuals. Although the revenue accumulated, especially in the boom years of the state had been squandered before the emergence of this government thereby making it difficult to finance important public works, schools, hospitals, water and other investments in the meantime. Rivers people will have cause to smile in the nearest future. This is the prayer and hope of the people.
Without counting the millions of citizens, including workers on government payroll, the present government has so far shown itself to be inflexible when defending its political philosophy, defying even its opponents attacks and criticisms. But above all, having taken-off on a difficult situation, the government has substantial interests and zeal to put smiles on the faces of Rivers people, so all should give it a chance and support it whole-heartedly. For several years, Rivers State has been living in a kind of state of siege, which has been lifted.
Shedie Okpara
This is an open letter to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Your Excellency,
Sir, ordinarily, I would not be writing an open letter to you, but like a wise man once said, “Silence would be Treason.” So I prefer to stay alive than face the consequences of silence in the face of crime. With each passing day, and as the socio-political tides continue to turn, it has become more pertinent that more people speak up in a concerted MANNER to prevent the death of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as we appear to be, in the words of W. B. Yeats, “turning and turning in the widening gyre” heading for an end where the falcon will no longer hear the falconer
It is unfortunate that since losing control of the Federal Government, with the loss of President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll in 2015, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has continued on a downward spiral. It is much more painful, that where it is expected that leaders within the party should rise to the challenge and put an end to this decline of our great party, some have instead taken up roles as its undertaker.
It will be hypocritical to claim aloofness to what I believe is your grouse with the PDP and I am not a hypocrite. It will be uncharitable on my part to discountenance the role you have played in strengthening the PDP from 2015 up until the last Presidential primaries of the party. It is my belief that your grouse against certain members of the party who you perceived worked against the party and abandoned it in 2015 and then came around much later to take control of the party, is justified. Also know that your decision to remain in the Party and stifle its progress on the other hand, as a sort of payback, stands condemned. For a man of your pedigree and stature, it is a dishonorable act, highly dishonorable and stands as testimony against all you claim to stand for.
At least, it can be argued that those who you hold this grudge against, abandoned the party completely and did not sit back while actively working to destroy it from within. But what then can be the argument on your own part, seeing that those you are currently working with against your party are the same people who set in motion, and executed surgically, the plans that not only ended our Party’s leadership at the centre, but ended up dislodging the first Niger Deltan to occupy Aso Rock as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Is this not akin to “cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face?” That will be worse than folly. Let us not throw away the baby with the bath water because we do not like the soap used in bathing the baby. It will be a grave mistake.
Honourable Minister, sir, it is rather unfortunate that of all people, you have also decided to play the role of an undertaker not only for our party, but for our dear Rivers State.
I will like to take you down memory lane a little. Let me remind you of your emergence as Guber candidate of the PDP in Rivers State, against all fairness and justice in 2014. You will remember that despite the reality being that you as an Ikwerre man was poised to replace a fellow Ikwerre man in Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in our multiethnic state, Rivers people overwhelmingly stood by you and pushed for your emergence as Executive Governor of Rivers State in 2015. I dare say that your popularity in the entire Niger Delta region was at an all-time high at this point.
I want you to understand why you were loved across board leading to your eventual emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2015; it was because when it looked like all were against the second term ambitions of the first Niger Delta man to emerge as President of Nigeria, you became not just a pillar but a beacon of resistance by standing for Goodluck Jonathan. Rivers people, as grateful and rewarding as they can be, paid you back by ensuring your electoral victory against the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) led by your predecessor. On your emergence, where there were second term Governors in the region, you, a first term Governor, was seen by the people as not just the leader of the PDP, but the leader of the entire Niger Delta region. You earned it, and no one could dispute it.
In 2019, when your re-election bid was being challenged ferociously, Rivers people once again stood solidly behind you. Many were killed in the process of defending your votes. Do you remember Dr. Ferry Gberegbe that was shot and killed while trying to protect your votes in Khana Local Government Area? There are many more unnamed and unrecognised sons and daughters of Rivers State who sacrificed their lives so that you could emerge as a second term Governor of Rivers State.
In 2022/23, Honourable Minister, you oversaw a party primary across board that saw some candidates imprisoned and internal party democracy jettisoned for your wishes, leading to the emergence of flag bearers of our party all singlehandedly picked by you. You have on more than one occasion publicly stated that you paid for all their forms. Even those shortchanged in this process licked their wounds and continued to play their roles as party members to ensure the success of the party at all levels. In what will go down as one of the most keenly contested elections in recent Rivers history, with formidable candidates like Senator Magnus Abe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the vibrant youth driven Labour Party (LP), PDP emerged victorious across board except for Phalga Constituency 1 that was lost to the Labour Party. (Not that you did not loose in some other LGA’s but let’s stick to the official figures declared by INEC).
It begs the question, why then do you want to burn down Rivers State, when everyone who now holds political office emerged through a process designed and endorsed by you? Is it that you do not care about Rivers people and you are all about yourself? If so, I am forced to believe that those around you are not telling you the truth. The truth being that in a state where your words were law; where houses and businesses could be demolished or closed down without any recourse to legalities, where Executive Orders could be deployed to stifle the opposition, that your popularity is now at an all-time low. Probably because they are afraid of you, or of losing the benefits they gain from you, they fail to tell you that what you might perceive as a battle against your successor, has slowly but gradually degenerating into a battle against Rivers State and Rivers people. You know, there is a popular saying that, a man can cook for the community and the community will finish the food, but when a community decides to cook for one man, the reverse is the case.
LEAVE FUBARA ALONE
You have gone on and on about being betrayed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. You point fingers forgetting that some of those same fingers quick to spot betrayals point straight back at you. It is not Governor Fubara that has betrayed the PDP by working against it in the just concluded General Election, and working with the opposition at the State and Federal level to destabilise the party. It is you, Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that betrayed Rivers people by instigating a political crisis with propensity to escalate ethnic tensions in Rivers State. It is you Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that has declared himself God over all in Rivers State and has no qualms with burning the state to the ground to prove a point. It is you Honourable Minister. It is you Honourable Minister who told the world that the APC was a cancer and you can never support a cancerous party. It is you Honourable Minister who ended up facilitating the emergence of the same “cancerous” APC that has accelerated the economic decline of this country and further impoverished our people with no remorse. All so you can be a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory? The lack of self awareness is gobsmacking.
Some days back I came across a video where you talked about death and how you do not cry when you hear about the death of some people because you have no idea what might have caused it considering many a politician swear “over dead bodies” and still go back on their words. Those words made me think, and I could see the reason behind them. You see, in chosing to be God in the affairs of Rivers people, you have closed your eyes and ears to reason; you see nothing and hear nothing that can cause you to rethink on the path you have chosen. In your quest to “show Fubara” you have unwittingly united a vast majority of Rivers people behind him, so much that even those who despised him because of you, now like or love him, because of you too. In your scheming, I will advise you not to forget that “the voice of the people is the voice of God”.
Note that the war which you have or are waging against Governor Fubara, has gone beyond being merely political as you might see in your minds eye. It is now one that, fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, has evolved into a war against Rivers people. It is good to point out that no one has taken a stand against Rivers people and won. No one has gone against God and won. In your defiant characteristic manner, it will be unfortunate if you believe your own hubris and that of those around you on the possibility of you being the first to successfully go against Rivers people. It will be a needless gamble; one where if you win you create more enemies for yourself than you can withstand on your political journey, and if you lose, your legacy becomes an inglorious and irredeemable one in Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large. For your sake as regards posterity, it is my greatest wish that you have a moment of sobriety and a deep reflection and introspection on this path you have chosen.
Honourable Minister, sir, what is left of your legacy is on the brink of being completely desecrated and relegated to the dustbin of our political history, and it will be a sad end to what I will say has been a wonderful political career that many can only dream of. The ball is in your court, and may God Almighty have mercy on us all and forgive us for our shortcomings.
Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson
Dr Pidomson is former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and former member, Rivers State House of Assembly.
In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
