‘Poor Foundation, Bane Of Nigeria’s underdevelopment’

The Chairman of the Rivers State Local Government Service
Commission, Chief, Azubuike Nmerukini has blamed the low level of development
in Nigeria on poor foundation.

Speaking in an interview with The Tide recently in Port
Harcourt, Chief Nmerukini said the forefathers of Nigeria did not take into
account the complex nature of society during independence in 1960.

According to him, this situation has given rise to
corruption, nepotism and ethnic bickering, stressing that because of this
situation, most of those who found themselves in leadership cadre see it as an
opportunity to enrch themselves.

The commission chairman particularly said that Nigeria at
independence did not make provision for incentives for people who devoted their
entire lives to the service of the nation, stressing that, this has created a
situation in which people enrich themselves at the expense of the masses.

Chief Nmerukini, however expressed optimism that with the
new crop of leadership both at the national and state levels, “the situation is
bound to change”.

Speaking on the 52nd Independence celebration, he said
Nigeria has a course to celebrate as the country has continued to remain United
despite the numerous challenges as well as the sustenance of civil rule in the
last thirteen years.

Meanwhile, Chief Nmerukini has blamed the low performance of
the various local government councils in the state on high recurrent expenditure.

Reacting to criticism over the poor performances of the
various council in the state, he lamented the incessant deduction of local
government council funds, stressing that this situation has incapacitated the
council chairmen, who have been unable to embark on meaningful developmental
projects in their various areas.