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Welcome On Board Nwodo, But …
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) penultimate Thursday, confirmed the nomination of Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo as the party’s national chairman.
The 51st National Executive Council (NEC) of the party ratified Nwodo’s nomination after much horse-trading and intrigues within the party’s hierarchy, presidency and caucus of the party in the South-East geo-political region, which the party’s chairmanship slot was zoned to.
While accepting the chairmanship position of the party, Nwodo, a former governor of Enugu State promised to inject new blood into the party by re-building it’s image as well as avoid imposition of candidates on Nigerians for the 2011 elections.
In order words, the new PDP’s helmsman vowed to respect peoples choice of candidates, rather than candidates emanating from godfathers and godmothers in line with the party’s constitution which hinges on internal democracy.
Nwodo, the pioneer national secretary of PDP further pledged to review the scope of delegates to the party’s primaries and convention in order to allow more elected delegates, than statutory ones in line with the principles and ideals of the founding fathers of the party.
No doubt, Nwodo as a founding member of the PDP knows so much about the foundation on which the party was founded and built. As a pioneer secretary of the party and one-time governor of Enugu State, the new PDP boss must be vast with internal workings (democracy) of the party from inception till date.
He quite acknowledges and appreciates the fact that so much water (either for good or for ill) must have passed under the bridge in the past one decade within the party.
Perhaps, that is why in his post-ratification speech, he promised to re-build the party’s image and make it one big umbrella that will contain all members (old and intending ones) as well as tackle some negative vices that tend to polarise the party.
Most observers and political analysts believe, and sincerely too, that the problem with PDP is within PDP itself. They contend that the party has derailed from the cherished ideals and principles of the founding fathers of the party. And this, to a very large extent, has impacted negatively on the party.
Therefore, it is expected that as the new helmsman of PDP settles down in office, he will put his wealth of experience into play and the necessary machinery is put in motion to correct the ills plaguing the party.
Firstly, Nwodo must consolidate on the gains and achievements of his predecessors and avoid the pitfalls and temptations which led to the ouster of his predecessors. He needs to ensure that all PDP members, including foundation members, who have either defected to other parties or are on their own are brought back to the party’s fold.
Similarly, he should critically examine the reason behind the formation of the Reform Group, and if need be, take necessary steps to harmonise or make them retrace their steps.
More importantly, methinks that the greatest challenge ahead of Nwodo’s dispensation is to ensure a hitch-free and successful state congress and national convention of the party as well as in choosing the party’s presidential flagbearer for the 2011 presidential elections.
The issue of zoning has remained a thorny one rocking the PDP in recent times and the ability or inability of Nwodo to handle “zoning formular” before the 2011 elections will go a long way to determine the success or otherwise of his stewardship.
There are pockets of protests within and outside the PDP, some agitating for maintaining the status-quo, while others are of the view that politics, like democracy is dynamic and subject to change.
After 11 years of our democratic experiment, the PDP and other political parties in Nigeria should, and must imbibe the spirit of meritocracy rather than sticking to the zoning principle as practised in other advanced democratic societies of the Western World, where we borrowed our brand of democracy.
So, as this column congratulates Nwodo for coming on board as the new PDP boss, he should be reminded that the task ahead is quite enormous but definitely, not insurmountable. His capability to manage PDP is on test.
History beckons on him to transform the PDP, which prides itself as the largest party in African continent, and take the party to the next level. That, precisely, is the biggest challenge facing Nwodo.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.