Celebrating Dividends Of Democracy In Rivers

According to Plato, BC 427-347, “it is the element which is dominant in the individual that determines his personality and role in society”.

Plato also maintained that the state arose because no individual could, on his own satisfy all his needs. It was thus, in order to cooperate and provide for their various needs that men established the state.

Based on this notion, Plato insists that the ideal state is one in which each individual does the job for which he is best suited.

Indeed, the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi remains a leader that considers social infrastructure as key for development.

The 350 model primary schools and 23 model secondary schools filled with modern teaching aids and state-of-the art facilities which are in various stages of completion, while some are already operational speaks volumes as to why Amaechi should be supported by all Rivers State people.

Besides, teachers are also being trained and re-trained in partnership with Cambridge University and the British Council to strengthen their capacity in order that they could impart knowledge to the pupils and students.

In this direction, over 3000 teachers have benefited from the training programme. Infact, payment of teachers salaries and remuneration which was the direct responsibility of the Local Government Councils was taken over by the state government as part of measures to re-organise the education sub sector in Rivers state.

However, the restructuring of the state Scholarship Board and the creation of Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) has resulted in the awards of 2,930 scholarships to deserving Rivers people (including physically challenged) from under-graduate to Doctorate degree levels in local and foreign institutions. This is complete with the regular payment of bursary allowances to all Rivers indigenes in tertiary institutions for capacity building and future security. These efforts make Governor Amaechi the best leader that the state has ever produced. He stabilised Rivers State during its critical period, hoodlums threatened the peace of the society.

Indeed, the most interesting policy of the Amaechi government in the Education sector is the free education declared for primary and secondary education which covers not only tuition, but free books, uniforms as well as shoes which directly affects the lives of the people.

It is instructive that the healthcare revolution of the Governor Amaechi administration is built on primary care with the objectives of providing quality and standard health facilities, provision of efficient, effective and affordable health services and availability of well qualified and motivated staff for the health centres. In addition, the policy includes the provision of health service to vulnerable groups at government expenses.

It is noteworthy that this policy, led to the construction of a record 160 new health care centres as the first step towards replacing the existing dilapidated ones and rebuilding the entire health system in the state.

Towards strengthening the programme and other functional service, massive renovations and complete rebuilding of general hospitals are in progress to serve as viable secondary health care centre,

In fact, the Prof. Kelly Harrison Hospital and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Medical Center and the Maxillo Facial Dental Hospital have been built for the same purpose of enhancing quality medicare delivery to the people.

Even, an ultra modern modular theater complex consisting of three operating suits, a laundry, sterilizing unit and an oxygen manufacturing plant with an adjourning intensive care unit has been set up and adequately equipped with modern facilities.

Against this backdrop of distinguished achievements it would be meaningful to call on the authorities to ensure personnel in charge of the various sectors are properly motivated for productivity, hence the promotion of staff and the provision of other motivational resources like vehicles has occupied the centre stage of this administration.

My good people of Rivers State it is only under a democratic arrangement that the aforementioned life-enhancing ideas could be provided for the people at the grassroot.

Democracy, in one form or another remains the best form of governance for no government is more desirable than the one that carries the flag of the people’s mandate and whose decision making process utilises popular input like Governor Amaechi’s administration.

In the future, the people of Rivers State shall not entrust the destiny of our great state to any group politicians who would crush the state’s interest under the jackboot of ignorance and selfishness.

The workers welfare, revamping the educational sector, renovation and restructuring the health institution, road construction, power generation, rural development and respect for the traditional institution are the hall marks of good governance which any other administration would work very hard to beat.

Agomuo wrote from Omuma.

Godspower Ibe Agomuo