THE AMAECHI YEARS HIS FEATS.... : – Setting up of the Songhai Farms – The N20bn Agric revolution , -Initiated the Greater Port Harcourt City – Construction of one of the best stadia in Nigeria – Building and equipping 180 health centres across the State – Constructed many roads and schools . – Embarking on first-ever monorail to ferry 40,000 passengers daily – Scholarship to over 2,000 students in universities abroad – Rescuing the UST to world class staus – Free education with free books, uniforms, sandals, etc – ICT -driven education system with free laptops – Building of 500 out of planned 750 world-class primary schools – Building and equipping 180 primary healthcare centres, two tertiary health institutions – Employment of hundreds of medical doctors and nurses -Employment of 13,210 fresh teachers – Invested over N100bn per year for roads, bridges and social amenities -Built over 1000 km of roads – Built two additional power stations in Afam and completed three inherited ones – High international financial rating, latest by S&P, affirmed ‘B’, stable outlook – And many more Preamble This analysis is aimed at showing sterling economic achievements for which Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi would forever be remembered. It is also to point out the intrigues and the politics of this misunderstood leader and some of his actions that led to his present exalted position in the politics of Nigeria. Early Political Career University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State was where Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi laid the foundation of his political life, particiipating actively in student union politics, especially in the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), of which he was president, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). After graduation, he cut his teeth in politics as secretary of the now defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State from1992 to 1994. He was special assistant to Peter Odili, the then deputy governor of Rivers State, and also a member of the Board of West Africa Glass Industry as well as Risonpalm Nigeria Limited. He was secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the Rivers State Chapter of the disbanded Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) in 1996 during the transition programme of the General Sani Abacha junta. In 1999, Amaechi contested and won a seat to become a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly to represent his constituency. He was subsequently elected Speaker of the House of Assembly as well a chairman of Nigeria’s Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies. He was re-elected into the State House of Assembly in May 2003 and equally re-elected Speaker. A master’s degree holder, Amaechi assumption of office as Governor based on a Supreme Court judgement after PDP dumped him despite his convincingly winning the party’s gubernatorial ticket, remains a mystery to many political watchers in the country. By May 2015 Amaechi would have spent eight years as Governor of Rivers State. He is currently Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). His unprecedented feats in the transformation of Rivers State have won him many international and local awards as well as the respect of great world and Nigerian leaders. His Feats The administration of Amaechi has recorded several feats, among them the following: Setting up of the Songhai Farms and the N20bn Agric Scheme that revolutionised agriculture in the State; initiated the Greater Port Harcourt City to decongest the present Port Harcourt City and construction of one of the best stadia that hosted the 2010 National Sports Festival in the new city; building and equipping 180 health centres across the State, constructed many roads and schools, embarked on a monorail- the first of its kind in Nigeria which upon completion will transport 40,000 passengers daily. Another feat is the offer of scholarship to over 2,000 students in Nigerian higher institutions and spending of about N20bn on Rivers students in foreign institutions. Then there is the building of a world-class university which when completed will turn out well equipped graduates that will hold their own in any field and compete with the best in the world. There is also the building, in Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), of a hostel that will accommodate about 6,000 students in addition to housing all the lecturers of the university. The university will be fully ICT compliant. It is important to point out here that the Rivers State Government is among the few in Nigeria that offer free education and free health delivery to its people but stands apart as the only State offering free edu- cation, free sandals, free books and free uniforms in Nigeria. About 200 primary schools have been set up in 200 communities, a feat that no other state is yet to accomplish. Under Health; so far, about 100 medical doctors have been employed to staff most of the Health Centres in the rural areas. The Rivers State Government has currently embarked upon the eradication of malaria vectors from the State. The Health Centre at RSUST will soon be opened to the public. The State was lauded last year for its daily commissioning of a health centre over a 60-day period in 60 communities in its 60-60-60 initiative. The Dental Hospital located in the Garrison area of Port Harcourt will soon be opened. The Rivers State Government invested over N100bn per year from 2008 till 2011 in provision of roads, bridges and social amenities. In this regard, the Government has engaged in the construction of 800km roads with 250 already completed. It also commenced work on 10 major bridges, with 3 already completed while 20 minor bridges were started, with four completed. Other projects include 2 flyovers/interchanges under construction; 6 land reclamation/shore protection projects at Andoni, Opobo, Buguma, Abalama,Olombie/Owukiri Island, Obo Ama, Okrika, with 1,1400,000km completed; 2 major markets and a shopping mall under construction (phase 1 of Mile 1 Market housing 960 shops and two banking halls completed). Apart from all these, the Rivers StateGovernment has built three power stations at Omoku (150 Mega watts), Trans-Arnadi (130 Mega watts) and Eleme (75 mega watts). The security and freedom the people of Rivers State are now enjoying can only be appreciated if the scenario in the State before Gov. Amaechi assumed office is replayed. It is on record that Rivers State has again been affirmed a ‘B’ international rating by leading international financial analysis agency, Standard and Poor’s (S & P). The long-term outlook for the state was revised upwards from last year rating of “Stable” to “Positive” on the strength of significant ongoing infrastructural investments (in roads, ICT, healthcare, education and urban renewal) and relentless efforts to transform the public finance framework. All this would help lift the state’s social and economic status in the long run. In appreciation of these feats, the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has been conferred with the prestigious SERA award for his contributions towards the social development of Rivers State, in line with the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in the areas of Health and Education. While I know the difficulty in managing public funds, Governor Amaechi has demonstrated a high level of skill, integrity and probity in this regard. The numerous projects completed and ongoing in the State is a clear indication that the Governor indeed deserves encomium from all and sundry rather than being vilified by some people. He and his team certainly deserve kudos for prudently utilising the public funds. To Malcolm X, “When you have a philosophy or a gospel- I don’t care whether it’s a religious gospel, a political gospel, an economic gospel or a social gospel – if it’s not going to do something for you and me right here and right now – to hell with that gospel.” One can state unequivocally that Governor Amaechi has invested the resources of the people of Rivers State wisely and judiciously. This is not surprising to keen watchers of this administration. History will surely be fair to Amaechi and his team
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 05:32:50 +0000
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