Who will lead rivers State?

                 AS THE POLITICAL RACE BEGINS, WHO WILL LEAD RIVERS STATE?

This is the time Rivers People should chose their leaders as the Political Parties select or elect their flag-bearers. Rivers People, I presume know what they want and should be able to know who can deliver by way of actualizing their aspirations. I Further wish to state that it appears we Rivers People most be more diligent this time around to  avoid personalities that will unnecessarily mix our growth and development with his or her personality ego trite. It is now, I repeat that the choice has to be made because as soon as the Political parties announce their flag- bearers, it will be difficult to make amend.

Having observed as in the above, some of the things Rivers People should clamor for  in a candidate irrespective of the Political Party among others include:

1. We need a new industrial base, whether it be cottage industrious it will be more empowering of the citizenry than motorcycles and tricycles. Consider the number of people a tyre factory, Aluminum factory, Glass and bottle factory, a canning industry and Plastic industries will absorb of Rivers youths in two years time. 

2. Livestock cottage farms including goat farms, fish pounds, poultry farms and related businesses can revolutionaries Rivers State in two years. Let me illustrate from experience. You need about #400,000  to buy a tricycle and about #100,000 to buy a motorcycle. These automobiles support the transportation of goods and services but do not generate any growth outside the operator who cannot employ another person. But with #400,000.00 a goat farm of 10 she goats and 4 he goats built in a backyard will every nine months reproduce an average of additional 20 goats. These goats will provide, milk, beef, direct and indirect employments for others, families will be feed, and cared for and it grows. The feeds for these goats is every where, grasses, at least we have them in abundance. This is just one example. We have to therefore look out for a leader who can teach us to fish not giving us fish.

3. Is there an aspirant among the lot who will embark on a massive housing project in collaboration with the private sector? For example is anything wrong for the government to acquire land and give it out to private developers and when they recover their fund it revert to the government under the management of the private sector? If that is not wrong and such a leader is found among the aspirants, we have to root for him or her whather as a Governor or legislator.

4. The above issues takes me to the leader with the will power to embark on the geographically decentralization of seat of power and development of other towns outside Port Harcourt and it's environ. I want to ask if among the aspirants, we found the house builder who will build every year 1000 housing units in each local government in collaboration with private developers and exercise executive power to create ten administrative centers outside Port Harcourt, will we support him or her to have in these administrative centers all the ministries in the State? The impart of this initiative cannot be quantified in monetary terms because it will be in quantum. 

5. We also have to look very carefully among the aspirants irrespective of Party who will make education affordable, credible and efficient. The schools brings a turn around in the growth and development of any people and because government is a continuum whatever that is on ground in the Educational sector has to be built upon. As education is an industry of it own an efficient management of the sector can generate revenue for the state and still develop the peoples potentials.

6. Employment is now a necessity of life and we most look out for leaders who will marshal out a plan of action to tackle unemployment in addition to the plans above as this is the key to the reduction of insecurity in the state. 

The above will help us find out the motives and desires of those who have shown interest to lead our state. In these inquiry, the attitude of the leader can be detected for us to know whether to trust them or not with our state. I most admit that majority of us most be involved positively in this effort. Mistakes will be made along the way but we most make amend and reconcile issues for the interest of the generality of the state.

I am conscious of the fact that some readers will call this a mere sermon. But I believe that if we give it a trial it will make a difference because we know that a competent and purpose driven Governor will make a great difference in the life of our State. And what is on ground is selecting that Governor. We also know that a thinker and planner legislator can make a difference no matter the level because he or she participates in making laws that will control our lives as citizens. And what is on ground is selecting these legislators. So this is serious business and lives will be imparted. I therefore do not think this should be purely politics, tribal sentiment and feeling docile. As me and you know that the single function of government  is to protect our rights and freedoms and these rights and freedoms can only be meaningful if we have housing, food, cloths and employment. And this government that will protect these rights and freedom have to be headed by human beings and these human beings in all ramifications will be politicians, but we the citizenry select them in elections that is around the corner. We can make a difference at least letting the aspirants know it is not business as usual.

We have to look out for who will lead us to continue the contribution of the present and previous leaders. 

Rivers State is on the move again….

By Ike Ake Esq.