Wike And Need For Town Hall Meeting

As the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, continues to rub minds with the electorate in one way or the other, there is need for him to do so through a well-programmed town hall meeting in the 23 local government areas of the state. This is necessary in view of his administration’s lofty developmental programmes and the fact that the citizenry of the state are looking forward to a more fruitful and result-oriented leadership.
Many people may, however, be skeptical about town hall meetings going by the past  experiences. This is because town hall meeting in the Nigerian context seems to be a normal outing of which no one bothers about the end result or outcome. It is like a forum where talking is done and requests are made, but the outcomes of such meetings are consigned to the dustbin, probably right at the venue of such meetings.
In the real sense, town hall meeting should be a platform through which government activities and programmes are taken to the people at the grassroots,  and government in return receives the people; a platform through which the government meets directly with the electorate and gets first hand information about  their immediate needs and challenges.
Town hall meeting is not new to Nigerians nay Rivers people. The immediate past administration in the state used the platform to inform the electorate on its policies, programmes and achievements. The electorate in return poured out their minds and grievances to  government. But whether or not the government really used the feedbacks from the meetings as a guide in governance is a question begging for answer.
Recently, with a view to ascertaining the level of development in the Niger Delta and reason for the continued militancy in the region, the Federal Government, through the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, embarked on a town hall meeting across the region, where salient issues concerning the region were discussed between the Acting President and stakeholders. They even proffered solutions to some of the challenges in the region.
It is noteworthy that since the Acting President’s tour of the region, cases of militancy resulting in pipeline vandalisation have declined.
Similarly, many State governors in this present dispensation have also planned town hall meetings, even though the effects of such interactions are not yet felt.
If peradventure Governor Wike buys the idea of organising town hall meetings, he should ensure that the reason for the meetings are clearly spelt out, and must be result-oriented. Any deviation from the real purpose   of the meeting must be avoided.
It must, therefore, be stressed that town hall meeting is not an avenue to campaign or an opportunity for electioneering by any political aspirant or group. It is for deliberation between the governed and the governor.
Such meetings should take note of all raised issues and be backed by necessary actions. This would go a long way in enhancing governance in the state.
Town hall meeting, as the name implies, is a platform through which the yearnings of the people are known. But knowing the people’s yearnings and aspirations alone is not enough. Attending to these yearnings through good programmes and policies is expedient.
It is on record that Governor Wike, during his governorship campaign, assured the electorate across the state of his quest to have personal interaction with the people. It is high time the governor fulfilled his promise to the electorate.
Rivers people, on their own part, should reciprocate government’s gesture by trooping out from their comfort zone to meet with the governor whenever such opportunity presents itself. Individuals, group or  community that has a story to tell must attend whenever such a meeting is organised.
It is worth re-emphasising that a town hall meeting must be result-oriented. As the people would be pouring out their minds, it is pertinent for the governor and his team to take note of and meet the needs and demands of the citizenry.
Meanwhile, it will be a waste of resources if, after touring the 23 local government areas of the state, there is nothing tangible to show for it.
Toby writes from Port Harcourt.

Bethel Toby