Amaechi And Good Governance

The style of governance of the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is one that even his rivals ought to, at least, be secretly happy with, because it has impacted so much on Rivers people and those that reside or do business in the state. This is evident in the overwhelming support virtually all the governor’s policies and programmes have received so far.

If they are those that may not be happy with his style of governance, they may be those who think of themselves alone with the interest of pocketing or sharing the money that Governor Amaechi has deployed or infused into the transformation process of the state for the changes we can see in Rivers State today. In fact, they are those who never see anything good in others, or better still, they are people who are never done with criticisms of anything, good or bad. 

First, when Amaechi took over the reins of leadership, those who brought in the “ant-ridden faggots” of criminality and instability into the state were not comfortable with the visits of the “lizards” who unleashed terror, fear and insecurity on residents of the state, especially those of the riverine areas. It took only the courage and will power of Amaechi to openly confront the then ‘lords’ to finally give residents in the state the lease to go about enjoying life again.

Amaechi has shown so much courage in many of his governmental decisions, policies and programmes. For instance, the ban of the use of commercial motorcycles (Okada) in Port Harcourt and its environs, the demolition of illegal structures encroaching on roads, drainages, among others, to allow for better construction of quality roads and drains. He also went beyond these and began giving account of his stewardship publicly, and even reprimanding, at public fora, officers of government who fail to perform or deliver on schedule. These are some of the courageous traits that Amaechi exhibits.

 The Rivers State governor has shown more than enough sincerity in governing his people. This sincere approach is why he has given security agents in the state all the needed support to fight criminality, which the state, and indeed, the region, was almost becoming synonymous with. Because Amaechi is sincere in making Rivers State truly a united state, jettisoning the upland and riverine dichotomy that had characterized its politics, he has equitably distributed amenities, especially schools, hospitals, roads and bridges, to all parts of the state, not minding whether the community has somebody in government or not.

Since 2008, the state government has committed about N100billion per year on the provision of roads, bridges and other social amenities. These include 800kilometres of roads, with about 250kilometres already completed, more than 10 major bridges under construction, and 20 minor bridges under construction. There are also six land reclamation/shore protection projects, two major markets, and a modern shopping mall. Indeed, the roads and bridges have now opened up communities, most of which never thought it was going to be possible to access them by roads like Adam and Nkoro, now linked by the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road.

Because Amaechi has always publicly said that he grew up in a face-me-I-face-you kind of apartment, and attended the evening type of primary school meant for the poor, he has vowed to fight poverty in Rivers State, and has not stopped doing that. Though he is against sharing Rivers’ money, he has used the money in not only providing infrastructures and security for all, but has gone into human capital development for the benefit of all.

In spite of the scholarships for students to study in Nigeria and foreign universities at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, he has placed gifted children of the state on special scholarship programmes to exclusive secondary schools all over the country. Ironically, however, most of these children so chosen have poor parents that do not have link with Amaechi outside the fact that he is the governor of the state.

As if that is not enough, Amaechi has scattered around the nooks and crannies of the state model public primary and secondary schools with the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. All the primary pupils in public schools in Rivers State now have free books and uniforms, courtesy of Governor Amaechi’s style of good governance.

In addition, the Rivers State has built and equipped 150 model primary health centres, completed three model secondary health institutions, and equipment for the hospitals already supplied to the state government. Perhaps, it is not in doubt that the health centres are located in communities where there was hardly any access to healthcare services, with severe health consequences. This, therefore, has made the Amaechi’s health infrastructure revolution unparallel in the country.

It is also not in doubt that Amaechi has not gone around witch-hunting those who did not want him in Government House as chief executive officer of the state, after reclaiming his mandate from the Supreme Court in October 2007. Instead, he has sincerely and humbly gone straight to render most needed services, which are today, positively visible and impacting the people of the state. I salute his courage, leadership, doggedness and commitment to improving the wellbeing of the people without compromising standard.

The award by ThisDay Newspapers to Governor Amaechi as a ‘Change Maker In Governance’, in recognition of the courageous measures he has implemented to bring about change and stability to Rivers State is highly commendable. Besides, he has also won the Daily Independent ‘Man of Year 2010’ Award, as well as the world class Fitch Investment Rating on category AA+. He had before now garnered the Zik Prize for Good Governance.

Methinks the best accolade I can give to this man of the moment is to say, “Bravo! Governor Amaechi. You have come at a time the people of the state need such leadership and direction most”. I am behind you, 100 per cent, in so far you maintain this good governance fever! 

Oruigoni, a public servant, resides in Abuja.

Idanye Oruigoni