The New Rivers Communication Vision

When Walter
Lippman declared that; “the art of politics is to accommodate the demands of favour seekers on the one hand and to soothe the rest of the public with noble sentiments and patriotic phrases”, he was expressing his sarcastic appraisal of a political system that alienates the people and treats them as pawns in the game of power.
Unfortunately, such culture has dominated the scene of political leadership in our society, with grave consequences on the development process.  But the task of renewal in any given society is colossal and unending, and every leadership opportunity justifies the vision or otherwise of the team in the saddle.
In Rivers State, the Barr Nyesom  Ezenwo Wike administration is redefining the art of politics beyond partisan interest and consideration. The government is fashioning out a political system of broadbased participation, where the productivity of government can be raised to a more expansive reach, and the right development impact effected through the involvement of the people in the process of governance.
To attain this ultimate objective, a new approach to information management has been remodeled in the state, with the people rightly positioned as the driving force of governance and development.
At the centre of this new approach to governance is the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, presently headed by Dr Austin Tam-George as Commissioner.
In line with the new Rivers Vision, the Commissioner for Information and Communication has remodeled Rivers State on a new slate of public communication and information dissemination.
The new information blueprint as outlined by the commissioner transcends the conventional approach which is always evidently “over  zealous and impressionistic”.
To him, the most suitable pattern of information management in a diverse society like Rivers State is that predicated on a “symbiotic platform that would be accommodative of all shades of opinion to effect the desired feedback of fostering holistic development in the state”.
Thus, the Ministry of Information and Communications does not exist as a mere platform of sloganisation and plausible deception to cover up the ineptitude of an irresponsible political leadership, but a frontier for mobilizing the entire citizenry and critical stakeholders for active participation in the affairs of governance.
The Ministry of Information and Communications is therefore setting agenda for civil society organizations  and other critical stakeholders to rouse their sensitivity to their conscientious roles as the watch dogs of the society.  The objective is to arrest the drift in institutional surveillance on the process of governance which breeds tyranny and abuse of public trust and the social contract that exists between government and the people.
The ministry’s new strategy of information management is also intended to foster a balance in the equation of power by bringing sovereignty back to the people and ending a system of sychophantic administration for government.
Recently, when the commissioner received the leadership of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Radio Television and Theatre Workers Union  (RATTIAWU) and the Civil Society Platform on a courtesy call in his office, he was explicit and blunt in his appraisal of the system.
The commissioner raised alarm over the apparent complacency of important stakeholders over their civil obligations.  He charged journalists in Rivers State and the coalition of civil society groups to hold government to accountability in the management of public funds and cautioned against unbridled romance with government which he said would, “undermine their integrity”.
Dr Tam-George emphasised that such critical stakeholders would be more appreciated when they are vigilant in holding government to their sworn oath of office.
In the new Rivers State Government’s media interface, the various media houses in the state are also expected to play pivotal roles.
The collaboration between the Rivers State Government and the media houses was sealed recently during a familiarisation visit of the commissioner to various media houses in Port Harcourt.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his visit to the managements of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the African Independent Television (AIT) in Port Harcourt, Dr Tam-George said a strong interface between the government and the media houses “will fill any information gap that may breed rumours or speculations which are inimical to society’s development”.
In his remark, the General Manager of NTA, Port Harcourt, Mr Ibrahim Sawnteng, said the collaboration between the Rivers State Government and the media houses in the state was important as it will enhance better service delivery to the people.
He said the NTA was committed to serving the people of Rivers State through effective dissemination of information and improved programme content.
Apart from the traditional media of communication, Dr Tam-George also disclosed that a social media unit had been created in the ministry to cater for the wide information needs of those who depend on the social media network for information, particularly the younger generation.
He added that a special project inspection team had also been formed in the ministry to ensure adequate coverage of every project in the state no matter how remotely cited.  He said “I will not comment on projects that I have not seen. I will only comment on projects that are feasible and we will not compromise quality and standards in terms of project delivery.  In the Wike’s administration, projects are delivered to the people as a right and not a privilege, we will not politicise development in Rivers State”.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a discussion programme of Channels Television, recently, Dr Tam-George reiterated the commitment of the Wike’s administration to upgrading the development standard of the State in every aspect. He said the paucity of funds in the state was not an excuse for non-performance and hinted that the Wike administration would invest massively in the knowledge economy to sustain its one point development agenda in the state.  The laudable policies are therefore expected to rob off positively on Rivers people in the months and years ahead.

Taneh Beemene

Dr. Tam-George