Amaechi: Taking Rivers to greater heights

At his formal inauguration on October 26, 2007, as Governor of Rivers, Chibuike Amaechi had pledged to impact positively on the lives of the people through selfless service.

He gave a commitment to actualise all promises made to the electorate during his electioneering campaigns, especially the revamping of infrastructure in the state.

Observers recall that the governor, apparently piqued by the poor state of educational facilities in Rivers had immediately declared a “state of emergency” in the sector to underscore government’s genuine concern.

Three years after his swearing in, many citizens of the State have expressed diverse and varied viewpoints on the performances of the governor.

Mrs Alice Amadi, a school teacher, says that though the government has made giant strides in many sectors, “a lot more is still expected from the governor”.

“The achievements recorded in education is unprecedented. As a school teacher, we have witnessed massive transformation; that is, the building of new primary and secondary schools in different parts of the state.

“We want to encourage the governor to do more by ensuring that all the schools are fully equipped. Indeed, we are impressed with the completed and equipped schools so far,’’ she says.

Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government applauds the state government’s decision to take over payment of salaries of primary school teachers, saying that “it is a big relief to the councils.”

“This is like removing cancer or tumor from the body. It is indeed a big relief for us council chairmen and we have no reason not to perform in other areas as the major stumbling block has been removed,’’ he says.

Notwithstanding the encomiums showered on Azubuike by some citizens, a Port Harcourt-based historian, Ajomiwe Ezuma, cautions the governor against resting on his oars, stressing that enormous challenges lay ahead.

“He has done well in three years but much more is expected from him. For instance, the people expect his administration to complete all ongoing projects in the education, health, and transport sector.

“The citizens also expect his administration to give them a sense of belonging by being transparent and accountable in all aspects of governance.

Mr. Rufus Adokie, a businessman agrees with Ezuma, saying that Amaechi’s administration should always be accountable to win the confidence of the people.

“We are happy with his management of the state’s resources, especially the compulsory monthly saving of one billion naira since 2007. It shows that he is really thinking about the future, while working for the people,” he says.

Perceptive observers have pointed to the building of about 350 new modern primary schools by the Amaechi administration out of which 175 had been completed and equipped with IT facilities.

No doubt, the citizens also acknowledge the free education scheme of the state government, whereby books and uniforms are provided free-of-charge to school pupils, who are also offered free lunch at school on daily basis.

Officials point out that the administration has also built 24 model secondary schools, while it has awarded contracts for the movement of the state’s University of Science and Technology to its permanent site.

Also notable, they further say, is the upgrade of the Rivers College of Education to a University of Education.

In the health sector, officials say that the administration had embarked on the construction of 160 modern health centres, out of which 76 had been complete and effectively manned by all categories of health personnel.

As with many other citizens, Adokie views the Greater Port Harcourt City Project being executed by Amaechi’s government as “a very ambitious project,” which actualisation is the dream of many Rivers’ citizens.

Under the project, the government hopes to establish a new capital city outside the congested old Port Harcourt city.

Says Adokie: “This is what we have been asking previous administrations to do but they refused.

“Amaechi’s administration has started the project and it has created so many jobs for our people who are involved in it.’’

Amaechi’s administration is not without critics and one of them is Prince Tonye Princewill, a former leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Princewill says that the government must strive to be accountable to the people it professes to serve.

“We shall always call the government to order through constructive criticisms. The administration has done well but we expect more from it because people’s needs are boundless.

“We will continue to monitor progress of work in the state and if necessary, criticise the government, so as to put things in order’’ he says.

Mr. Dickson Owiriwa, a transporter, expresses the viewpoint that there is the need for the government to complete all ongoing road projects in the state capital and other towns.

“The state of the roads in Port Harcourt and towns like Eleme, Obio/Akpor, Oyigbo, Emohua and Etche is nothing to write home about. Some of them are in very bad shape and transporters like us feel the brunt of it.

“We appeal to government to use the dry season to complete work on all the roads, so as to make vehicular movements easy for us.

“We are, however, happy for roads already completed such as those in Gokana, Khana, Omuma and Ahoada West local governments,” he says.

The Rivers’ Commissioner of Works, Mr Dakuku Peterside, assures that government is doing something about the bad roads complained of; stressing that it has directed all contractors handling road projects to complete them during the dry season.

He explained that the heavy rains this year had created problems for the contractors but stressed that as the rains ceased, work will be completed on them.

Rivers citizens, who are resident in the Diaspora, have also shared their perspectives on the performances of Ameachi, in his three years in office.

Mr. Ashley Okechuku Mpi, President of the Association of Rivers Communities in the UK and Ireland commends the governor for building new schools, health centres and roads.

Mpi assures that Rivers citizens in the UK will assist in the provision of manpower and technical expertise for the state’s development.

“We urge Gov. Amaechi and his team to remain focused and committed as they develop the state. We are happy to be associated with the numerous projects executed in the state, which are in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the UN,’’ he says.

On his part, Mr Magnus Abe, the Secretary to the Rivers Government pledges that the administration will remain focused; and will not be distracted from its determination to move the state forward.

For the Rivers’ Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari , the administration of Amaechi has every reason to celebrate three years of excellence.

“Government’s development pattern is people-driven and oriented. We will continue to give our people the best and remain focused in our desire to move the state forward,’’ she says.

With just few months to go in his first tenure, it remains to be seen how party faithfuls and the electorates in Rivers will react to Amaechi’s quest for a second term in office.

 Mbonye, is of the News Agency of Nigeria

Mike Mbonye