Of Criticism And Stomach Infrastructure

Critical thinking and expression have been regarded
the world over as an integral part of a modern society  which  is why nations no matter the system of government, value the role of critics.
In democracy, critics play important role in shaping the performance of government, be it at the state or national level.
However, in advanced democracies, criticisms are borne out of the genuine desire to contribute towards the advancement of society.  And this situation helps to keep the authorities on their toes and to improve their performance towards the betterment of the society.
Nigeria, as a member of the global community, also has its fair share of critics.  Some are patriots, while others have selfish desire to occupy public offices.
Nigerians will not be in a hurry to forget the contributions of such patriotic critics such as the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Tai Solarin, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Prof Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana amongst others.
However, in the circle of critics, there are also false prophets, whose only objective is to occupy public offices and this group never see anything good in any administration.
The history of Nigeria is replete with such false critics both at the national and state levels.
Just as President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is having it rough at the national level with the activities of some unpatriotic critics, Governor Amaechi of Rivers State is passing through the same experience.
Rivers State was created in 1967 and Governor Amaechi is the fourth civilian Governor that has ruled the state.
Specifically, Chief Melford Okolo, Chief Rufus Ada George and Dr Peter Odili were civilian Governors who have ruled the state at one time or the other.  And presently Governor Amaechi is ruling the state.
A reflection of their various performances has shown that Governor Amaechi seems to have an edge over them in terms of performance.
An analysis of their various performances has shown that Governor Amaechi has not only perfected the work of his predecessors, be it military or civilians, but also broke new grounds in the history of development of the state.
The Governor is the architect of the Songhai Farm in Rivers State. Thus multibillion Naria farm project is sited at Bunu Tai in the Tai Local Government Area of the state.
A visit to the farm will reveal that for the first time in the history of the state, a Rivers Governor has given agriculture its pride of place in the scheme of things.
What  about the Buguma, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro and Ubima fish farms, the multibillion Naira Banana farm project, the new Risonpalm which is now producing at sixty thousand capacity and the Delta Rubber Company at Okomoko under resuscitation?
What about the thousands of overseas scholarships awarded by this administration to Rivers indigenes, the construction of model primary and secondary schools in every communities and local government, the construction and dualisation of roads and particular reference to the Ogoni Andoni Opobo/Nkoro unity road which spans across different communities located in the most difficult terrain of Rivers State?
What about the dualisation of the Owerri, – Elele road, the Ada George road, the Ikwerre road, Agip flyover construction and other roads across the state?
In the health sector, the Governor has touched the lives of the people through the constructions of model health centres in virtually all communities in the state and so on and so forth.
Unfortunately, critics of the administration never see anything good.  Instead of being constructive in their appraisal of events in the state, these critics are even questioning why the Governor should embark on some monumental projects such as the monorail which is now at the heart of transportation system of several developed countries of the world.
Although, one is not questioning the right of anybody to hold public opinion, but the issue here is that such opinion must be made in a way that will advance the interest of the society.
For instance, it is expected of critics to advice the Governor, where he has gone wrong and also praise him where he has done right.
This pull-him-down syndrome is not only unpatriotic, but selfish and destructive.  Afterall, most of these so called critics have been in government at one time or the others and could not make any impact.
It is this situation that has led one analyst to describe them as those after stomach infrastructure.
That description is right.  Because unlike Chief Gani Fawehinmi  of blessed memory, some of these critics are known to be after settlement.  And since it is not in the character of Governor Amaechi to squander public money on frivolities, they see nothing good in him.
There, is indeed, the need for a dedication from this attitude interest of peace and departure of the state.
Agba writes on social issues.

Samuel Agba