‘Amaechi, Most Performing Gov’

Yenagoa-based Niger Delta Development Monitoring and Corporate Watch (NIDDEMCOW), a non-political group, says it has concluded its independent monitoring of people-oriented projects being embarked upon by Niger Delta Governors, declaring Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the most performing governor in the region.

The Executive Director of NIDDEMCOW, Comrade Nengi James in a statement, also listed Akwa Ibom and Edo States as performing above average.

 According to the statement, the group’s project monitoring team was drawn from various professional disciplines and they visited  Cross River, Edo, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Bayelsa States where they carried out on the spot evaluation and performances assessment on projects on  ground.

NIDDEMCOW considered the performance of the various state governments according to budget implementation and funds received from the federal allocations including internal revenue accruing to the states as well as ascertained the claim in the media by various governments in the region.

 The group’s fact-findings were based on on-going and completed projects that relate to urban development, infrastructures, rural development on decentralisation, investment opportunities, employment and wealth creation and educational empowerments. 

After a careful analysis of the facts, the group found Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Edo as top on projects performances and fair accountability on their budgets implementation, but called on governors to avoid using friends, cronies and incompetent companies in contract execution.  NIDDEMCOW, however, frowned at lack of transparency and inappropriate use of the 13% oil funds, which according to it is responsible for suspicion between the public and the government of various states in Niger Delta.

 We believe that most of the Niger Delta people does not know what the government is doing with the public fund particularly the 13% and this has made many turn against their governments as they do not see the benefits of the Federal allocations accruing to their states,” the statement added.  Meanwhile, the group commended Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Edo, states for their developmental efforts and urged state governments in the region to take projects to the door steps of the common people at the grassroots as a way of reducing the poverty index in Niger Delta.

Though, the team did not visit Ondo state because of circumstances, it however called on the Ondo state government to emulate the good works and performances of Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and Edo states developmental stride.”

NIDDEMCOW noted that some of the state governments have well packaged policies and development agenda, but regretted thtat most of these polices and plan of action are never implemented practically to the satisfaction of the masses.