Of Amaechi And Rivers Loans

“… We are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is just but one use of power and it is to serve people.” Former US President, George Bush (Snr).

Democracy, to my mind, means when a political office holder leaves landmarks that cement his place in the posterity hall of fame, by providing even development to society through good governance in the area  of transport, agriculture, employment generation, network of roads, information technology, access to portable water and health care, among others.

Democracy is when the ordinary people in the rural area have a sense of belonging by having access to all the institutions that were hitherto far flung in cities and beyond their reach.

Finally, democracy, to my mind, means having the magninity and nobility  of bringing in all political forces to join in the onerous task of delivering democracy dividends to the people.

The above reasons must have spurred the present administration in Rivers State under Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to put plans together for securing loans and bonds to enable it complete on-going projects.

Political analysts have identified abandoned projects by successive administration in the state as one of the reasons for under development of our state. Therefore, by this bold move of securing loans to finance all the on-going projects in the state, I believe the governor means well for Rivers State. His administration’s road map is one capable of delivering infrastructures and services to the people and as well providing a level playing field for inflow of investments  in the state.

It will be recalled that at the inception of Amaechi’s first tenure, four years ago, the state was tangled in the web of underdevelopment, economic backwardness, and deplorable state of education, health roads, security challenges, among others. Today, however, the state is witnessing practical changes and development. The administration has embarked on about 900km of roads within this period. While some of them have seen completed, others at their advanced stages.

With what Amaechi has achieved so far, and other transformation projects he has lined up, such as road network, the new modern campus of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the new Mega hospital, the Monorail, the Greater Port Harcourt City, Monte@Rivers-an entertainment complex, among others, one will not, but concede to the reasons advanced by the state government for securing the bonds and loans.

Our state should be proud and happy for the thoughtful foresight of the governor who wants to leave a legacy for posterity. This is because by the time all these projects are completed, the loans must have been well spent. After all, the state government has assured that it has a solid credit base which has been affirmed by two worlds’ renowned global financial agencies-Fitch, and Standard and Poors.

The cheering news is that the loans and bonds are to be repaid within Amaechi’s tenure and not to be incurred as a burden for his successor. It is therefore, necessary for all Rivers people to give the Amaechi’s administration the needed support in carrying our state to the next level of development.

Osundu resides in Port Harcourt.

Odinaka Osundu