Simeon Nwakaudu

Since 2015, Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has established a process of performance,  projects and service delivery that has lifted the state to an enviable level.  Through diligent implementation of annual budgets,  Governor Wike has redefined governance in Rivers State and placed the State on a platform of developmental progression.

Governor Wike inherited a state that was crippled by debts, non-payment of salaries and pensions and embarrassing infrastructure deficits.  Even the then outgoing Rivers State Governor,  Rotimi Amaechi was ashamed of the state he was leaving behind.

In his now infamous remarks captured on video, Amaechi admitted that Rivers State was so broke that Wike would neither have money to pay salaries,  pensions or even execute projects.  That Administration handed to Governor Wike,  a template for failure.

From his very first day in office, Governor Wike programmed himself to succeed.  He launched the Operation Zero Potholes on May 29, 2015 and kick-started the most ambitious infrastructural revival scheme in Nigeria’s second largest economy.

Between May 2015 and May 2019, Governor Wike delivered the highest number of roads, schools,  healthcare facilities,  empowerment programmes,  land reclamation projects,  tourism projects,  rural water projects,  workers welfare projects,  water transportation projects and security infrastructure.

Governor Wike also developed an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.  The streamlining of the tax system to eliminate double taxation and the improvement of the land allocation system have enhanced the inflow of investments to the state.

For his outstanding first term,  Rivers people rewarded Governor Wike with a second term.  It was the most difficult second term to extract.  Rivers people collectively defeated  Federal Might.

REWARD FOR RIVERS VOTES

Governor Wike is a different kind of politician.  He appreciates his people every step of the way.  The first 100 days of Governor Wike during his second term proved that the second term would be worthwhile.

For over three weeks, Governor Wike rolled out completed projects in different sectors of the economy.  He assured Rivers people that he will not disappoint them. He stated that he will depart from the ugly tendency of Governors not to perform during their second term.  As a man who keeps his promises,  Governor Wike has lived up that pledge.

Over the last few weeks, he has met with leaders and people of different ethnic nationalities to fashion out key programmes that are important to the people.  The different ethnic groups came to these meetings with their projects’ lists. Frank discussions were held and key projects were agreed for different parts of the state going forward.  2020 BUDGET

The 2020 budget  was principally designed by the Wike administration to intensify development and reach out to more communities across the state.

The Budget Preparation Process as earlier stated had the inputs of critical stakeholders.  The overriding objective is to ensure that no ethnic nationality is schemed out of the development process.

Targets of the 2020 Rivers budget

Christened: Budget of “Reassurance, profound impact for inclusive growth and shared prosperity”, the Rivers 2020 Budget is targeted at consolidating on the development process initiated by the Rivers State Governor since 2015.

According to Governor Wike: “We will build and consolidate on the gains and progress of 2019 to deliver on the commitment of this budget for the benefit of our people. We will mobilize resources from the different sources and scale up investments in infrastructure, human capital development and the productive sectors of our economy to create jobs and improve the wellbeing of our people. And as our economy grows and creates opportunities, our people will benefit and enjoy a better standard of living.”

Job creation,  economic development,  improvement of standard of living are the objectives of Governor Wike in framing the 2020 Rivers State budget. All sectors of the economy have been primed to work for the development of the state.

The governor said: “This budget contains deliberate, specific and targeted policies and programmes to address, not only the challenges of poverty and development, but also, the  concerns of our youths and women for empowerment, inclusiveness and a future to long for. This government keeps promises and we will keep our promise to increase youth participation in the governance and development process of our State.”

Key areas of development

Road infrastructure

This is one of the key areas of economic stimulation in Rivers State.  Since 2015, Governor Wike has used the development of a network of roads to revive the economies of different parts of the State.

With over N93billion, the Ministry of Works will implement the State’s Strategic Road Development Plan for 2020. Several key road projects will be delivered in the course of 2020.

Closely linked is the Special Projects Bureau where over N26billion has been earmarked for new and existing projects.

The Ministry of Works and Special Projects Bureau have been programmed to develop critical infrastructure that will sustain the economic growth of Rivers State.

Enhancing quality education

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Governor Wike met a weak Education Sector in 2015. At the time, education in Rivers State was merely a propaganda tool. Through strategic investment,  the education sector has been revived .

Governor Wike said: “Building on the progress of the last four and half years, we will continue to ensure adequate funding for education in Rivers State. It is for this reason that we are proposing the sum of N49.471 billion to fund the education sector for 2020. This sum represents 20% of the total budget and is the highest ever budgetary allocation to education, reflecting the level of our commitment to investing in the future of our children.

‘In 2020, we will continue to ensure the systematic rehabilitation, upgrade and transformation of our primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and build new ones where the population demands to deliver a more conducive learning environment across schools in Rivers State. “

Healthcare Delivery

This is one sector where Governor Wike is working hard to improve access to quality healthcare facilities.  Across  the state, the Rivers State governor plans to deliver state-of-the-art tertiary hospitals for the people.

The Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt,  the Zonal Hospitals in Degema,  Bori, Ahoada and Omoku will come on stream within the year.  The Rivers State governor is working hard to strengthen the healthcare delivery system of the state through critical investments.

Governor Wike plans to take appropriate measures to enhance measures to manage the burden of public healthcare costs, including effective implementation of the Rivers State Contributory Healthcare Insurance Scheme.

The administration will also  continue to partner with local, regional and international healthcare agencies, non-governmental organizations and healthcare professionals to ensure better access to primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services as affordable rates.

Empowerment through agriculture

Governor Wike plans to empower Rivers people through agriculture in 2020.  The target is to make thousands of women and youths financially stable using agriculture  as a platform.

Governor Wike will invest massively in this sector in 2020, with a view to energising  Rivers economy.

According to him, his administration will  invest and support the commercial production of cash and other crops to which we have relative advantages, such as cassava, palm oil, yam, plantain, banana, rice and vegetables for both domestic and export markets.

In 2020, the administration will  revive the school-to-land programme and engage over 10,000 youths in commercial agriculture and  establish farmer input support programme to provide farming inputs to farmers across the State.

The administration will also  train and build the capacity of Rivers State farmers to engage in productive and profitable commercial agriculture, including farming in crops, poultry, piggery, and fisheries and  complete the Cassava Processing Plant at Afam in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

Sustaining security of lives and property

Even the worst critics of the Wike Administration admit that the governor’s investments in security have paid off. With Operation Sting and other security measures,  Rivers State has become the business and entertainment hub of the country.

The 2019 Christmas and New Year celebrations proved the importance of visionary leadership. In 2020, Governor Wike has pledged to invest more in the security of lives and property.

He said his Administration  will  provide vehicular, necessary security gadgets, logistics and other operational support for all the security agencies, including the armed forces to enable them provide 24 hours security patrol, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and operations throughout the State.

He added that in 2020, his Administration will  provide more gun-boats to the Nigerian Navy to patrol and ensure security in our waterways.

This is addition to  setting up the State Emergency Centre to manage and coordinate all emergency, security and information concerns in the State.

In 2020, the Wike Administration plans to make key investments in tourism,  water supply and rural development . The Governor’s  focus is to develop the state and enpower the vast majority of Rivers people.

Major investments

At the close of 2019, the final major investment decision was taken on the $10billion NLNG  Train 7 Project.  This investment will play a critical role in uplifting the economy  of Rivers State.  The multiple effect of the coming on stream of train 7 would create wealth and empower hundreds of thousands in the state.

In July 2019,  Wike commissioned the new Alcon Nigeria Limited Low Voltage Panels Assembly Plant in Port Harcourt. This  was part of the partnership  between  his administration and the private sector    to  revive the manufacturing sector of the state. Several  such efforts are ongoing.

Nwakaudu is media aide to Gov Wike