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Premabiri Rice Project: Reflections
The issues about closure of Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries, for economic and security purpose, have been generating mixed reactions and misgivings by various people and interest groups. One major or visible effect of the border closure policy is the rising cost of food items, particularly rice.
Reasons necessitating the border closure are quite valid on the long-run, but the biting effects on the population raise humanitarian question.
Someone gave a humorous parable that if in an effort to encourage your children to learn how to roast corn, your house gets burnt down, then, such project makes no economic or security sense. But border closure has no basis for comparison with roasting of corn. However, managing the affairs of a nation demands the application of three vital management principles, namely: efficiency, effectiveness and continuity (EEC principles).
Efficiency has to do with internal organizational cohesion arising from sound division of labour, cooperation, motivation, accountability and speed and economy in the accomplishment of tasks. These would demand a clear road map. Effectiveness is determined by the ability to accomplish objectives as planned, coupled with the quality of services and level of satisfaction derived by those being served. These are achievable by the installation and operation of adequate control measures. Continuity is the ability to remain stable and grow, because people happy.
What determines the happiness and cooperation of people in a management process is largely the level of transparency, accountability and sense of responsibility exhibition by a management team. Wherever those taking on the duty of managing the affairs of a nation are seen to deviate from the rules of transparency, accountability and responsibility, then, the cooperation and patriotism of the masses would dwindle.
In the case of management public affairs in Nigeria, there is an obvious loss of confidence in the psyche of the masses towards the leadership. If nobody has had the sincerity to state this fact in public, the reason is that people are afraid to says the truth. Wherever the masses are afraid to say the truth but resort to flattery because it pays to do so, what results is a slow decline.
Once upon a time when Rivers State included current Bayelsa State, there was an agriculture project involving the production of rice in large scale, in Peremabiri located in Bayelsa State. Conception of the project was noble and full of good intentions, including the creation of job opportunities and food for the masses. Feasibility study was undertaken by some zealous and expert authorities, vast area of land acquired for the purpose, and personnel trained and hired. There were great expectation!
Today, the memory of the Peremabiri Rice Project evokes not only sadness but mockery as well. Sadness, because it was a failed project, despite the initial enthusiasm, expectations and huge revenue invested therein, Mockery arose from the fact that some cynical persons right from the initial stage predicted a possible failure of the project. Failure of the Peremaabiri Rice Project, for those cynical persons, became a self-fulfilled prophecy. What the cynics foresaw came to pass.
What would be of vital interest to the reading public in this article, include what the cynical persons saw earlier which made them to predict a possible failure of the Peremabiri affair. In a situation where foreign agricultural experts were brought to Rivers State, kept in Hotel Olympia and other 5-Star hotels, with bills running into million of naira, the cynics kept watchful eyes.
Were they wrong to predict that gains made from the rice project in the first four years would go into payment of hotel bills?
Obviously, within Nigeria, there are local experts in race cultivation business. Hiring some of such local rice farmers to pass on their experiences and skills, to boost the Peremabiri project would have reduced costs considerably. They would not have been lodged in S-Star hotels but would gladly have lived with Peremabiri indigenes. A Local Content Policy can be interpreted and meant to include the identification and effective utilisation of locally available talents, abilities and resources. We know how patriotic our elites are in the encouragement and consumption of what products that are available with us, locally.
It was quite instructive, interesting but really shocking, listening to what a PhD student under my supervision had to say about what he meant by “kill and divide” culture in Nigerian business and political affairs. It is like saying: “You provide the fire and I would provide the sacrifice.” With regards to doing business in Nigeria, the “Kill-and-divide culture translates into the mechanism of corrupt practices, whereby one person provides the contract, and another does the dark deals.
These are well known facts, even though some people would pretend not to be aware that sharp and unethical practices have resulted in the killing of state-sponsored projects and the dividing of the spoil arising there from. Therefore, what became of the Peremabiri Rice Project would not be different from the fate of other failed projects also.
We had Rubber Estates, Oil-palm Estates, Brewing and Bottling Companies, Fisheries and Banana Farms, Fibre Boat Building Companies and made attempt to establish a business estate in Ahoada, what happened to all these projects?
The cynical persons whose prophesy about Peremabiri Rise Project became a reality, would tell us that the “kill-and-divide” culture accounts for why we have failed projects in Nigeria. With all good intentions, border closure would throw up a few people who would turn it into a failed project.
Why so? The EEC Principles in management can give us some answers.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.
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