As Wike Rolls Out Drums for Rivers @ 50
As River State marks the 50th anniversary of its creation, not only will the celebrations afford people of the state opportunity to know where they are coming from, it will reveal the vision of where they are going. Davidson Iriekpen writes
It is no longer news that Rivers State will be 50 on May 27. Already, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has started rolling out the drums to celebrate the state’s golden jubilee. Almost on a daily basis, events are being witnessed in the state. Though the present moment is not a time to celebrate due to the economic situation in the country, people of the state are undeterred in having their voices heard.
The celebration, which started when the governor unveiled the logo for the anniversary late last year and a fund-raising dinner held for key stakeholders to participate in the sponsorship of the event, has since taken off in full swing with some key programmes to commemorate the anniversary, already taking place.
To many observers, there is every reason to celebrate the several milestones the state has achieved since its creation in 1967, by General Yakubu Gowon military administration.
For instance, while setting the tone on why it is necessary to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the state’s creation, Wike said the occasion would be a celebration of the liberation of Rivers people from the forces of deprivation, oppression and domination.
“Many of us, who are now enjoying the fruits of liberty, may not truly appreciate what it meant to be dominated, dispossessed, deprived, exploited and oppressed, in your own land by the dominant social and political tendencies of the time. Before Rivers State was created, our people could not find schools in their neighbourhood, hospitals to treat the sick, universities to educate their children, decent jobs to earn income and good roads to their communities.
“For 50 years, we have lived and toiled together, in pursuit of the vision of our founding fathers, who put in and sacrificed everything, including their lives, to ensure the creation of this beautiful state, we all love and proud of, indigenes and non-indigenes alike. Although, we are not where we should be within the matrix of where we want to be, we still have a lot to celebrate and thank God for the 50 years of our existence as a state and as a people with a common destiny. Besides, after 50 unbroken years on a journey, it is proper for us to take a little moment to retrospect on the progress already made, examine our prospects and set our eyes on the next era of the march, to progress with optimism,” the governor explained.
No doubt the state has served quite significantly as the treasure base of the nation, religiously supporting other states with its resources and ensuring that Nigerians from other climes benefit from Rivers God-given resources.
Funds from the state have played key roles in the construction and development of the two federal capitals of Nigeria. Despite the challenges of development, the state has been a critical factor in the overall development of the country.
At a ceremony to unveil the golden jubilee logo, the governor captured the essence of the entire celebration better when he said, “Over the past 50 years, we have travelled quite a marvellous journey. We have made some significant progress no doubt, but we have also made mistakes and lost valuable opportunities. However, this Golden Jubilee inspires a new direction to build a prosperous State we can all be proud of. This is the spirit of the new vision.”
Like Wike explained, the celebration offers the opportunity for stocktaking, which several critics and analysts are already doing. But most important, it offers the opportunity to march forward.
There is no virtue crying bitterly about the past when there are better opportunities in the present – and the future.
One of the high points of the state’s golden jubilee celebration will be the launching of the 50-year strategic economic and social development plan for the state. This plan will consolidate the gains of the different development programmes and projects implemented by successive administrations.
The framework has been presented and approved by the Rivers State Executive Council; and will be presented to the public with a committee established to drive the process between six months and one year.
The committee will hold public hearings on the framework with all stakeholders expected to make their contributions. Public debates would also hold on the framework, before the 50-year strategic economic and social development plan is set into motion.
Aside setting on course the development process for the next 50 years through the launching of the 50-year strategic economic and social development plan for the state, Wike will take practical steps to flag off the execution of iconic Golden Jubilee Projects.
“On our part, the state government is set to execute a number of landmark projects throughout the year to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, advance the promise of economic independence and improve access to public services as we set forth on the new pathways to create an unimaginable future of peace, unity and prosperity for our state,” the Rivers governor pointed out.
All through this month, the state government will commission several key projects spread across the three senatorial districts of the state. This will be part of the celebration.
A mini-investment summit tagged, ‘corporate Rivers, forms part of the overall Rivers @50 celebration. The summit will bring development and economic experts along with other stakeholders as Rivers State Government implements the ‘New Rivers Vision Development Blueprint’ to ensure that the entrenchment of the development process.
As a lover of youth development, the state government will in the course of the golden jubilee celebration flag off a youth empowerment programme. This programme targeted at youths from the 23 local government areas of the state will be implemented alongside a major commercial bank.
The celebration of the achievements of the incumbent administration in the state inspires hope that the state has commenced its sustained journey towards development.
Wike’s outstanding performance since his assumption of power is the new beginning he promised the people of the state – the new direction to ensure that the people benefit for their resources.
Basic amenities denied the people of the state in their respective senatorial districts by previous administrations are now springing up, which will lead to the emergence of new towns that will support emerging populations.
For 50 years, Port Harcourt and its environs have not had the privilege of a functional public water supply. That is about to change, the governor promised. The Wike administration has concluded the preliminary process for the Port Harcourt Water Supply and Sanitation Project – it is a joint venture between the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the Rivers State Government. The project will take care of water supply and sanitation in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
Under the project, water schemes will be constructed across Port Harcourt and Obio/ Akpor Local Government Areas, backed with massive reticulation infrastructure in the city. Rambol Environ of Denmark, the project management consultant, has been in Port Harcourt since 2016 reviewing the project design, engaging stakeholders, embarking on approved study tours and training critical technical personnel to drive the project.
It is clear that though the state government has kick-started the Golden Jubilee celebration, it is by no means a jamboree. It is a well planned programme to celebrate the history of the state, its people, culture and contributions to national growth.