Human resources re
main of primary importance to the development or growth of a nation. Development is enhanced through a continual improvement in the life of the citizenry together with rising economic index. Realistically, a country or state can look forward to a future of successful results and great satisfaction only if the signs and vision are excellent. And to actualize an excellent vision, there is need for innovation and understanding in order to best face future challenges.
This is why the Rivers State Governor, Chief (Barrister) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, acknowledges that the prosperous future of the state depends on making it economically strong and self-reliant. To realize this, he said his administration shall develop and implement an economic blueprint that leverages on our strengths to make Rivers State the industrial hub of Nigeria in oil and gas, agriculture, maritime and tourism businesses. In addition, the state’s chief executive stated that in growing and managing our economy, we will focus on poverty alleviation or reduction through job creation and expanding business opportunities for our people.
“We intend to achieve this in part, by encouraging Rivers people to participate in both the upstream and down-stream sectors of the oil and gas industry and also through a strategic engagement drive, ensure that our people benefit from the local content policy of the oil, gas and maritime industries”, he emphasised.
He further disclosed that the present administration would ensure that the fruits of development get to every part of the state, including the rural areas by implementing an integrated action plan that takes the entire state into consideration.
There are dissenting opinions that incoming or new government-federal and state are very good at making bogus promises and exaggerating their intentions for the people, which sometimes generates controversies at the end of the day among critics. With the abundance of high valuable resources bestowed on Rivers State, it is hoped that the Governor Wike-led administration would utilize the available resources to speed up or fast-track the economic growth of the state. What we witnessed during the immediate past regime in the state was a seeming exploitation and extortion of Rivers natural and human resources as well as destructive ethnic rivalries that stalled industrialization and prosperity in the state. Rivers people have not had an equal opportunity to develop in the ways that suit them. Acute or abject poverty is staring on the faces of the people and they are yearning for the alleviation of the scourge.
At a presentation ceremony of refrigerators, power generators and other empowerment facilities to members organized by an NGO, the National Clergy forum (NCF) at Igwuruta recently, the Rivers State Government said that one of its cardinal objectives is to alleviate poverty among the people through different forms of empowerment scheme.
The government, which spoke through the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Hon. Prince Obi Wali  K., at the occasion, said it would partner with and support organization with the objective to fight poverty among Rivers people and commended the NCF for the bold step to help people.
Also speaking at the occasion, the National President of the NCF, Bishop Hyginus Ndukaife, said that apart from distributing equipment, the organization helps members to access loans to establish or expand their business. “We do it to help the people at the grassroots as a way of poverty reduction and to check youth restiveness among youths”, he stated.
Rivers State Chairman of the NCF, Bishop-elect Emmanuel Onyebuchi explained that the organization was a non-denominational one with a broad objective and vision to collaborate with banks in Nigeria to provide financial and material assistance to its members. According to him, the NCF aims to provide means of eradicating poverty through active grassroots participation in a financial relationship between the organization and its members.
The National Clergy Forum is registered and inaugurated both at national and state levels with a clear set of objectives which include eradication of poverty among believers and non-believers that registered through grassroots approach and provision of financial and material assistance through collaboration with banks and government agencies.
Rivers State needs rapid development now more than ever before and emphasis should be placed on poverty eradication or reduction. The people need more food and money to feed, own their houses, establish their businesses and provide standard education for their children and many others, including access to good drinking water, electricity and healthcare services.
Globally, the issue of poverty reduction has become unavoidable considering the increasing population, which means that more and more resources are being consumed and not all are renewable. Rivers people are not happy about their conditions, they must develop to assert themselves, to compete with the wealthy ones, and to create structures and institutions that can withstand the present economic trend. In short, the high poverty level and poor economic situation calls for an aggressive economic system that can meet the multi-faceted environmental, economical and social challenges militating against sustainable development in the state.
There seems to be a lack of political will to address squarely the economic challenges confronting the state as it is common in the Niger Delta region, where unchecked oil drilling and exploitation have inflicted tremendous damage on the ecosystem, health and livelihoods of the people. It is the wish of Rivers people that the present administration would make significant investments in social and economic infrastructure across the state and particularly and urgently too, build the economic capacity of the various communities to give them a sense of belonging.
Infrastructural development at the grassroots is very important in driving and sustaining the states growth momentum. The state has over the years built the human capacity and expertise to package and support the government to put in place the right infrastructure deals that would deliver value to the majority of Rivers people and support economic growth.
It is believed that the Wike-led administration recognizes the significant efforts and foundations already laid in this direction to showcase the state’s infrastructure investment, so it now behoves it (government) to critically increase the required finance and industrial base to develop and implement the state’s unparalleled infrastructure investment opportunities to tackle poverty among the citizenry.
It is also pertinent that the government creates a more conducive environment for both foreign and local investors. This has been a major challenge facing the state due to insecurity and lack of steady electricity supply.
This government should create an enabling environment where manufacturers could operate at optimal level and turning out quality products. All the moribund government companies should be revived and repositioned with innovations that could appeal to different segments of the society, including the youth and women.
There is a great need for full inclusion of the youth in our new approach to development if we must move forward.
The truth is that most indigenes of Rivers State are finding it hard to cope with the daily rising economic hardship and inflation due to the fact that prices of commodities have gone through the roof and out of their reach coupled with low cash flow into their hands, thereby escalating the crime rate. Something should be done urgently. Over 85 per cent of Rivers people are living below the poverty line and they need a rescue from the present administration.

Shedie Okpara