Amaechi’s Town Hall Meetings And Governance In Rivers

Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s Tuesday’s visit to Etche was like a home coming. Though it heralded another phase of town hall meetings by the govenor, it was more or less a triumphant entry to the food basket of the state. The drums beamed, women danced and many were ready to hurl their questions at him.

Rt Hon. Amaechi at the inception of his administration in October 2007 had introduced the exercise, which goes beyond the usual ‘meet the people tour’ as done by past governors. The forum provides veritable platform for the governor to feel the pulse of the people about his projects, performance and at the same time give account of stewardship.

This time, if the exercise goes as planned, the forum would stretch into next year. The Tide was reliably informed that the governor wants to drive this phase of the tour slow but deeper. So on Tuesday, the forum was more than a light hearted meeting. The two-way communication style of the forum was what attracted the huge crowd at the expansive Secretariat Complex, at Okehi, the headquaters of Etche Local Government Area.

At about 1.30pm when  Governor Amaechi arrived the venue with his entourage, the arena was charged, women and cultural groups were swinging, and there was no sign of weariness from the long wait. Immediately the Governor arrived, the music died and the programme commenced.

The national anthem and prayers were taken, and Chairman of the Council, Hon. Reginald Ukwuoma took the centre stage with a long but emotional speech, “Your Execellency,” he declared, “Etche people are highly delighted and very much enthused to have you visit them once again in such able and dignifying manner together with your wonderful team”.

He went on, “Etche people are on the tip of their toes to see, at the closest range possible, the man who has restored their maligned hope and forlorn aspiration; the man who hates poverty with a bellicose spirit”.

Aside the praises he poured on the governor, Hon.Ukwuoma used the medium to table requests, “Let me say Etche is not only blessed to have you as a Governor…to address the imbalance we have suffered from previous administrations, ranging from massive road networks in Ozuzu and Mba clans largely model primary schools, secondary schools and health centres at Okehi, Ulakwo, Odufor, Akwa and that of Ozuzu.”

While pointing out that Etche was strategic in the economic development of the country, dating from the colonial period as it housed the industrial palm oil mill at Chokocho owned by the United African Company (UAC), he commended the government for siting the new agro-allied farm at Nkali region. The multi-million dollar farm settlement is a collaboration between  Rivers State and the State of Israel.

Once the chairman ended his speech, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii and the Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha made introductory remarks to set the stage for Governor  Amaechi. In his usual blunt style, the govenor joked, saying that all the roads in the area had been completed and delivered. The uproar from the crowd pushed him to reveal more, “for all the health centres built here, I released money 100 percent.”

Challenged by pockets of refutals from the crowd, Amaechi reached and picked the forum’s programme pamphlet and enumerated the projects one by one. In all, he listed about 29 Model Primary Schools at different levels of completion.

He revealed that the administration has spent well over 7.2billion Naira on the building of new model schools in Etche local government area of the state.

He said all schools still under construction in Olakwo I, Ndashi, Igbo-Etche, Obibi, Ekem and other communities in Etche would be completed soon.

“Let me assure you that, all schools still under construction that I have mentioned would soon be completed, the Commissioner for Education has told you the problems and challenges involved, so you need not to worry, the projects will be completed”, Amaechi said.

Still on education, Amaechi while taking enumeration of beneficiaries of overseas scholarship said about 78 students of Etche ethnic nationality have benefited from the overseas scholarship of the Rivers State Government in the current political dispensation to promote quality education, human and manpower development in the state.

On power, Governor Amaechi also said his administration would soon commence rural electrification projects in Etche, which he explained would attract development and investments to the area, and equally broaden employment opportunities and enhance entrepreneurship skills.

On roads, the state Chief Executive also stated that, while plans are ongoing to fix other roads in Etche, the Igbo-Etche road would be constructed immediately the rains are over. On Health, Amaechi stated that his administration would construct the Ozuzu health centre next year.

He admonished contractors handling government projects in the area to ensure that funds given to them are used judiciously for the projects. Amaechi urged politicians in Etche to learn to co-exist with their subjects through political participation and empowerment to reduce poverty in the area.

Governor Amaechi who promised to site a project in Igbodo community in Etche also assured the people that the bill on People With Disabilities (PWD) was sent back to the State House of Assembly for a few amendments, and would be assented to immediately the bill returns to his office.

He also explained that, his administration has provided taxi cabs as empowerment for the physically challenged in the state, and urged beneficiaries to make good use of them.

Immediately he ended his speech, the crowd surged to ask questions. Most of the questions asked ranged from poor power, dilapidated roads and more health centres and primary schools.

Barrister Paul Elokwenu, while lauding the govenor for his achievements, demanded for more government presence in Igbodo, saying, “of all the health centres, of all the roads, schools, there is no evidence of such projects in Igbodo”.

Nkechi Nwankwo, a student pleaded with the governor to renovate and equip schools, while lamenting poor power provision in Etche. Another indigene from Mba, Mr.Charles Amadi decried near government absence in Mba clan. He maintained that currently, no project had been sited in the area.

Elysius Ali from Obite while commending the governor for siting projects in the area, pleaded for quick intervention to salvage communities in the area from the threat of erosion. Currently, he warned, “if nothing was done houses would be washed away.

Another youth leader, Thompson Bayah decried the poor state of Chokocho road to Ozuzu and Umuechem. “The road has been abandoned for long,” he lamented.

Responding to some of the questions, the governor asserted, “we can’t solve all the problems. We have tried to ensure that you get access into Etche. Before it was not like this, so let us be satisfied that we are making progress gradually”.

He urged the people to be patient on power as government has commenced plans to link communities. Commenting on lack of projects in Igbodo Amaechi assured, “I will site one projects in Igbodo, but you choose between primary school and health centre. I would prefer a primary school, but I have to discuss with your chairman”.

The governor while responding to demands by the womenfolk over the poor disbursement of Rivers State Micro-finance Agency (RIMA) directed the agency to review its loan scheme.” They should look at the business model. I think N50,000 is not enough”. He recommended that the loan be increased and made a long term facility so it could be utilised properly.

Federal House of Representatives member representing Etche/Omuma Constituency, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke in his vote of thanks commended the governor for organising the forum. “This is democracy in action” he remarked, and thanked the citizenry for coming out en masse.

Hon Nwuke who was  Commissioner for Information believed that such fora would bridge the gap between the government and the governed.