|
I see a
state where
rural/urban
drift shall
be tackled
with the
right
political
will and
where our
Royal
fathers
shall be
integrated
and buoyed
by relevant
legislation
to re-enact
those values
that have
been lost to
the
desecration
of our
hallowed
traditional
value
system.
I see a
state where
men and
women of
proven
integrity
are pulled
together to
manage the
business of
government
for the
benefit of
our people.
A government
that will
make
transparency,
accountability,
frugality,
responsiveness
and due
process in
public
expenditure
the hallmark
of
governance.
I see a
state where
government
takes
responsibility
for the bad
just as well
as the good,
where
failures at
the federal
level are
managed by
the state
and the
state takes
full
responsibility
for delivery
to
grassroots.
A state
where there
is peace,
security and
stability in
spite of
some
constitutional
limitations
confronting
her.
Finally I
dream of a
state where
government
shall truly
prove its
stewardship
to the
people,
irrespective
of ethnic,
religious,
political
and social
bias.
MY MISSION
“Governments
are
instituted
among men,
deriving
their just
powers from
the consent
of the
governed”
Thomas
Jefferson.
Having this
at the back
of our
minds, the
fundamental
objective of
any
government
is to work
for the
improvement
of the well
being of the
people.
Since its
creation in
1967, Rivers
state has
had
different
administrations
whose
attempts at
achieving
this basic
goal have
been met,
arguably
with varying
degrees of
success.
When the
present
administration
took over
the reins of
office on
October 26,
2007 after
eight years
of mis-rule,
looting and
squandering
of public
funds, it
was very
obvious that
at its
inception,
it had no
well defined
plans to
guide its
administration
of the
state.
Nevertheless,
it is
important to
note that
the governor
has good
intentions
for the
people and a
fair
knowledge of
governance
and
development,
hence the
need for us
to work
together in
a bipartisan
manner which
has never
been
witnessed in
the country,
geared
towards
bringing
development
to the
state.
Buoyed with
a shared
vision, it
becomes
imperative
that I step
forward to
take up the
challenge to
translate
into reality
my Vision
and Mission
for the new
Rivers state
that my
friend and
brother, Rt.
Hon. Rotimi
Chibuike
Amaechi, the
incumbent
Governor of
Rivers state
had started.
I have
therefore in
all humility
set out for
us a
comprehensive
agenda for
achieving
this vision
of a better
state we can
be proud of.
In pursuance
of the
above, which
will form
the core
action and
programs
that will be
carried out
by my
administration,
here under
are a broad
policy
objectives
and
strategies
required in
achieving
our vision
of a Rivers
state on our
minds.
(1) THE
ECONOMY
The thrust
of
government's
economic
policies
must include
the
following. Restoration
of fiscal
discipline
in the state
by ensuring
prudence in
the
management
of the
resources
allocated to
the state.
Undertake
programmes
to stimulate
economic
growth and
improve the
quality of
life of our
people, with
a strong
drive
towards
efficiency,
productivity
and
self-reliance
through
private
entrepreneurship.
Increase
internal
revenue
generation.
Undertake
programmes
to stimulate
wealth
creation,
employment
generation
and the
reduction of
poverty in
the state.
Create a
secure
atmosphere
to engender
and
facilitate
massive
investment
by
government
as well as
the
organized
private
sector,
which will
ultimately
result in
the
empowerment
of Rivers
people in
every aspect
of commerce
and
industry.
Develop a
strong
Public
Private
Sector
Partnership
(PPP) in the
state for
the overall
benefit of
the people
of the
state.
Furthermore
this concept
of PPP
should be
backed up by
enabling
legislation
that clearly
defines the
legal frame
work and the
levels of
involvement
of parties.
(2)
EDUCATION
Education is
a cardinal
social
investment
and
veritable
tool for
development
in any
society.
What then
are our
objectives
to develop
this sector?
Improvement
on the
literacy
level in the
state.
-
Sustenance
of the
complete
overhaul of
the state's
educational
system
-
Improvement
of the
quality of
education in
all
institutions
of learning
in the state
-
Ensuring
that the
state
educational
system
serves the
need of the
society by
making the
products of
the system
job creator
and less of
job seekers
-
Make
education
affordable
and
attractive
with an
ample
opportunity
for more
Rivers
people to
acquire
science/
technology
education.
-
Reward and
retain
teachers by
promoting
new and
innovative
ways to
increase
teachers pay
that are
developed
with
teachers,
not imposed
on them.
(3) HEALTH
Health is
wealth, so
goes a
popular
saying.
Moreover,
since the
wealth of
the state is
a reflection
of the
health
status of
the
citizenry,
as such,
there should
be a
concerted
effort to
improve the
health of
the people,
physically
and mentally
to enable
them
contribute
to the
productive
needs of the
state.
Government
policy on
health
should
therefore be
driven by
-
The need to
prevent
diseases,
promote
longevity,
promote
mental and
physical
well-being,
personal
hygiene and
public
sanitation.
-
Focus on
making
healthcare
easily
available,
accessible
and
affordable.
-
A complete
overhaul of
the primary
healthcare
system in
the state.
-
Improving
the skills
of medical
personnel
through
training and
re-training
to acquire
modern
skills and
technology.
(4)
AGRICULTURE
The
foundation
of any
meaningful
economic
development
hinges on
the strength
and success
of our
agriculture
programmes.
The
availability
and
affordability
of food
furthers the
existence of
a healthy
and
productive
population
which
indirectly
promotes
peace,
development
and
security.
The policy
thrust of
any
responsible
government
therefore
should be
to: Make
agriculture
very
attractive
and
profitable.
-
Assist and
encourage
farmers/fishermen
to engage in
food
processing
of cassava,
maize, yam,
plantain,
snail,
fishery
product, e.t.c, for
export.
-
Strive to
attain self
-sufficiency
in food
production.
-
Create
employment
opportunities
through
massive
investment
in
agriculture.
-
Pursue the
promotion of
agriculture
as a major
source of
raw
materials
and a
significant
foreign
exchange
earner.
-
Re-
introduce
and
modernize
the farm
settlement
system to
increase
agricultural
productivity,
check
rural-urban
migration.
-
Assist
farmers have
information
and access
to new
techniques
and
technologies
available to
the
agricultural
industry.
-
Provide
agricultural
support
service to
farmers,
through the
procurement
of equipment
and other
farming
tools and
implements.
(5)
HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT
Given the
current
reality of
increasing
pressure on
the housing
needs of the
state,
arising from
the rural -
urban drift,
coupled with
the increase
in
commercial
activities
in Port
Harcourt,
the only
city in the
state, the
provision of
affordable
housing for
our people
should be
accorded top
priority by
government.
Where as the
government
had embarked
on some
housing
projects
through the
public
private
partnership
scheme, a
lot more
still needs
to be done.
Strategies
to achieving
Rivers
people's
desire for
housing
include:
-
Adequate
funding of
the State
Housing and
Property
Development
Authority.
-
Encouraging
and
partnering
with the
private
sector to
develop
housing
estates for
sale to the
public at
affordable
prices like
the Rainbow
Housing
Estate
(Scheme in
which the
State
Government
went into a
PPP
relationship
with a
first-generation
Nigerian
commercial
bank).
-
Encouragement
of companies
operating in
the state to
build and
operate
staff
housing
schemes.
-
Computerization
of the state
land
registry.
Assist
indigenes of
the state to
process and
secure
mortgage
financing
loans from
the Federal
Mortgage
Bank.
-
Government
support for
research
activities
aimed at the
development
of quality
and
affordable
local
building
materials
which will
in turn
reduce the
cost of
construction
of housing
estates.
(6)
TRANSPORTATION
The opening
of the
hinter lands
of the state
is very
vital for
sustainable
economic
growth and
development.
The
objective of
government
should
therefore
be:
The
provision of
comfortable,
safe,
affordable
and
efficient
inter and
intra city
mass
transport
system in
the state.
The
construction
of good
roads
network
linking the
state
capital and
the various
communities
of the
state.
Purchase of
ferry boats
and
construction
of jetties
to improve
marine
transportation.
Encourage
more private
investors to
play active
roles in the
transport
sector.
Provision of
more transit
buses and
construction
of motor
parks of
international
standards to
improve land
transportation.
Encourage/collaborate
with more
financial
institutions
operating in
the state to
provide
support to
Rivers
people
wishing to
engage in
the
transportation
business.
Revival of
intra city
rail
transportation
system as a
way of
easing the
transportation
stress
currently
being
experienced
in the
state.
(7) THE
ENVIRONMENT
With the
threat the
environment
face
globally,
government,
corporate
organizations
and
individuals
in the state
owe the
society a
duty to
protect the
environment.
Therefore
our policy
as
stakeholders
on the issue
of the
environment
should be to
achieve a
clean, safe
and
pollution-free
society.
This we can
do by
supporting
the urban
renewal,
planning and
development
initiatives
of the state
government,
as well as
maintaining
a clean,
safe and
healthy
environment
through
effective
waste
management
disposal and
treatment.
The
government
should also
ensure that
environmental
regulations
are strictly
enforced.
(8) PUBLIC
UTILITIES,
WORKS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
Public
utilities/infrastructure
is very
vital to
every
society.
Fellow
Rivers
people, I
don't know
if the poor
state of
public
utilities
and
infrastructures
in the state
borders you?
As for me,
it does.
I would
therefore
like to see
the
government
increase
work on
improving
the network
of roads in
the state
especially
in the state
capital. The
aim, it is
my belief,
should be to
open up the
state
capital and
reduce the
traffic
congestions
currently
being
experienced
on our
roads.
Government
should also
reactivate
and make
functional
the Port
Harcourt
city
integrated
water scheme
in addition
to
constructing
mini water
works to
serve
contiguous
communities.
The recent
cholera out
break in
Bille
community
could have
been
prevented if
only there
was a mini
water works
in the area.
The
electrification
of every
community in
the state in
my opinion
should be a
priority in
the
government
agenda of
development.
Government
should
assist the
Power
Holding
Company of
Nigeria (PHCN)
for the sake
of the
people of
the state
(9)
RIVERS STATE
- Her
destiny in
our hands
The wind of
change that
has been
blowing
across the
world and
most
recently, in
far away
United
States of
America
(USA), where
President
Barack
Hussein
Obama, a
black man,
has
successfully
surmounted
all man-made
barriers to
win the
American
presidency,
and in
neighbouring
Ghana where
skeptics
were proved
wrong with
the election
of an
opposition
candidate,
Prof. Atta
Mills as
president.
We have
deliberately
shut our
eyes to
these
cataclysmic
happenings
around us;
we have
refused to
seize the
moment even
when
undeniable
opportunities
presented
themselves.
Yet, daily
in our
markets,
buses,
taxis,
parks,
airplanes
and all
imaginable
places, the
discourse
has centred
largely
around the
rhetorical
question
of:
(10). WHICH
WAY RIVERS
STATE?
To aptly
capture the
current mood
of the
state, it is
unquestionable
that Rivers
people have
the STATE ON
THEIR MINDS.
We have
simply
resigned our
fate to
divine
intervention
and it is
not as if
divine
intervention
is
impossible.
In fact, it
is the
unseen Hand
in every
success.
However, the
point at
issue is
that a
complacent
people would
hardly
recognize a
divine
design when
it presents
itself. That
divine sign
is here and
NOW.
The truth is
that we have
waited for
far too long
and wasted
precious
time and
can't afford
to wait any
longer. We
therefore
believe that
the time for
the much
needed
change in
our polity
is NOW,
neither
tomorrow nor
next.
We are
concerned
Riverians
who believe
that the
fate of our
state lies
squarely on
our
initiative
to bring
about the
much needed
change to
our current
retrogressive
situation.
But we
realise that
we can not
do it alone;
in fact, it
can not be
achieved
alone. It is
for this
reason that
we are
inviting all
sons and
daughters of
the state,
home and
abroad,
irrespective
of religion,
ethnicity,
age, status
and vocation
to come
together
under the
banner of
NEW RIVERS
STATE to
push this
new agenda
of change in
our state.
Our past has
been replete
with failed
promises and
unrealised
dreams, but
must we
continue to
dwell on the
past rather
than hope
for a
brighter
future? The
answer is
NO. We have
therefore
resolved to
march ahead
in optimism
and the
belief that
we are a
people
joined by a
common
destiny. In
our
complacent
position the
lesson of
history is
lost on us,
for there is
no state,
either
developing
or
developed,
that has
ever moved
beyond her
dreams if
the people
remained
complacent
and did
nothing.
Every
people in
the world
today have
their
defining
moments but
none has had
these
moments
delivered on
a platter of
gold - they
are fought
for.
Therefore we
must be
insistent on
redefining
our present
circumstance
through
affirmative
action.
Today, what
we ask of
you is to
jettison the
artificial
barriers
that tend to
separate us
and together
we would
relive the
dreams of
our
forefathers.
We must
blame
ourselves if
we fail to
heed this
call and act
NOW for the
hour is at
hand. Acting
NOW would
ultimately
guarantee
our future
and that of
our future
generations.
At this
point in
time, our
generation
must stand
for
something
else we risk
being
labelled
lame ducks.
History is
replete with
examples of
how few
people
braved the
odds to
chart a new
course of
history.
These change
agents
defied
established
conventions
and took
bold
decisions
that
ultimately
altered the
destiny of
their
societies
forever. In
this hour as
we make this
call, we ask
that you
join us to
lead this
cause that
would
definitely
redefine our
state's
destiny
forever. We
have no
financial
muscle to
engage in
this
patriotic
cause but
are fired by
a great
sense of
responsibility,
firm
conviction
and
unflinching
faith and
the love for
our state to
begin this
journey of
selfless
sacrifice
for
rebirth.
Let it be
known that
this effort
is brought
about by an
unwavering
passion for
a New Rivers
state. Our
state risk
recession,
the ominous
signs are
there and
the
challenge
before us is
to stem this
slide. We
must rouse
from our
wavering and
come
together as
change
agents for
the sake of
our
children.
Remember we
are Rivers
people with
an undying
and
adventurous
spirit.
Today, let
us all
pledge to
give
utterance to
the soul of
our state
which has
long been
suppressed.
Let us
strive to
end,
permanently,
an era of
poverty,
ignorance
and
inequality
of
opportunities
in our
land.
Because we
believe all
men are
equal in the
eyes of the
Lord, we
desire to
build a
commonwealth
of Riverians
united by
the
inequities
that
separate us.
We had high
hopes upon
creation but
we have
watched as
our
successive
leaders
departed
from these
noble ideals
of justice,
freedom and
equity to
the path of
infamy. But
we can not
heap the
blame on
them alone;
we are also
to blame. We
are
accomplice
and guilty
of the same
offences for
which we
accuse our
leaders. We
are
architects
of our
misfortune
because of
our
complacency.
We refused
to speak out
and allowed
our state to
slide almost
irredeemably.
The
creation of
neither
Rivers state
nor her
people is
not a
mistake. It
was a divine
design which
purpose has
remained
largely
unfulfilled.
And so we
ask for
nothing
extraordinary
from you but
your
committed
and devoted
support to
swell the
fold so
that,
together, we
redefine our
common
destiny.
We should
resolve that
never again
would we
allow any
individual
or group to
usurp our
fundamental
rights by
imposing a
candidate of
his choice
against our
popular will
during any
future
elections
from the
councils' up
to the
governorship.
As we begin
this march
to freedom,
justice and
equity
today, let
us resolve
to stand
together,
indivisible
and firm and
rise above
sentiments
and
parochial
interests
that had
been our
bane and
undermined
our
collective
progress in
the past.
Together we
would win
this battle
if we don't
delay in
heeding this
call and
riding the
current that
has
presented
itself in
this New
Day.
This is
neither a
call to arms
for an
insurrection
or a
revolution
nor bows and
arrows for
war. On the
contrary, it
is call for
peaceful and
ingenuous
political
and economic
activism
where the
human spirit
has
repeatedly
proven that
it can
flourish.
All we
require of
you is to
heed this
call and
join the
movement
that aspires
to change
Rivers state
forever. We
are
convinced
today that
the march to
make our
state great
has just
begun and we
are assured
that
together and
with God on
our side, it
is truly a
New Day.
Once again
thanks for
being part
of this new
vision to
take our
only State
to the next
level. As we
conclude
this
retreat, I
am convinced
that the
leadership
of AC in
Rivers State
will be
reengineered
and
galvanized
into
becoming a
tool to
achieve
these lofty
ideas for
our people.
Thanks and
may God
Almighty
Bless our
beloved
State and
country. ###
Prince Tonye
Princewill
|
