RIVERS STATE
NYESOM WIKE: DISTRACTED BY NEEDLESS CONTROVERSIES, COULD DO MUCH BETTER
By Nigerian standards, the number of projects on display in River State belie the drawn out court battles, political shenanigans and election reruns that have characterised governance since Nyesom Wike assumed office two years ago.
From the minute he was sworn in, he set out to make a point and prove the naysayers wrong. As a result, it is difficult for a week pass by without the governor either laying the foundation of a project or inaugurating one. This has earned him the appellation, Mr. Project, given to him by acting President Yemi Osinbajo. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, while inaugurating the second Nkogu Bridge a little less than two weeks ago, described the state as a big construction site with projects in all parts of the state. The projects have not been limited to state projects, as the governor has included federal institutions like the Federal High Court and National Industrial Court, among others on his list.
The state under his watch has also witnessed relative peace, except during electioneering, and good industrial relations as workers get paid as and when due, while retirees get their pensions. The amnesty programme he initiated and the state’s logistic support to security agencies has helped reduce the incidence of cult war, kidnappings and crime in the state.
Irrespective of Wike’s efforts, Rivers State, with the highest population in the Southsouth zone, has too many restive youths that are prone to militancy and taking to the creeks. This means that the governor must redouble efforts to train, empower and create jobs for these youths to take them off the streets. The state’s over-reliance on oil revenue has also stunted its internal revenue drive. Several sectors in the state, ranging from its water economy and aquaculture, to agriculture and tourism, remain untapped. Like Lagos, the state also has environmental challenges that Wike has failed to address, while Port Harcourt, the capital city, remains nothing more than a glorified township, devoid of state-of-the art infrastructure and a skyline that reflect the oil wealth of the state.