Amaechi’s Administration at one: Keeping the promise
• Monday, Oct 27, 2008

Being full text of the statewide broadcast of His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the occasion of the First Anniversary of the Administration in Port Harcourt on October 25, 2008

My Fellow Citizens of Rivers State, Exactly one year ago, we assumed the mantle of leadership of our dear state. As you will recall, the circumstances that led to my emergence as the third elected Governor of Rivers State, were further vindication of the Yar’dua administration’s commitment to enthrone the rule of law and due process in our evolving political culture.

The Supreme Court ruling of October 25, 2007 was a landmark for substantial constitutional justice. Once again, I salute the courage of the eminent jurists of the Supreme Court of Nigeria for their wisdom, courage and commitment to the application of the doctrine of substantial justice to Nigerian jurisprudence.

For me, that judgment remains a vindication of the strength of my character and my belief in the ability of our system to do good to all just men and women. In many respects, the importance of that judgment was not only for me. It was more for the good people of Rivers State. Our people believed in the cause of justice and longed for deliverance from the politics of decadence. On 25th August, 2007, your prayer was answered. As the custodian of the sacred mandate of the people and beneficiary of our nation’s machinery of justice, I hereby reaffirm the commitment which I made a year ago. I will work everyday of my tenure in the service of the people of Rivers State. I will do so to the best of my ability. I will do so in all honesty and with the fear of God. I will give of my best to both the present generation of Rivers people and to our posterity. I remain firm today, as ever before, in these commitments because I know that the proud people of Rivers State expect the best from their government. Our people have longed for good governance for far too long. They have borne the betrayals and disappointments of the past patiently.

As you will recall, in my inaugural speech as Governor, on October 26, 2007, I clearly spelt out my covenant with the people of our state. I promised that our administration would serve our people with humility and render transparent and accountable stewardship, anchored on integrity and good governance. I wish to restate my unshakeable commitment to that bond every inch of the way.

At this juncture, let me recognise and pay tribute to the pioneering efforts of our founding fathers, eminent sons and daughters, my predecessors, the revered custodians of our values and traditions and all other stakeholders, including foreign nationals who have contributed in various ways over time to the development of Rivers State.

My good people of Rivers State, consistent with my abiding belief that power belongs to the people, this occasion provides me with the opportunity to account for our twelve-month stewardship. It is also an opportunity to share our vision with you, to seek your understanding of our limitations and renew our appeal for the co-operation of all in the task of rebuilding our great state.

When we assumed office over a year ago, we did not pretend that we had all the answer, to our problems. We were acutely aware that every Rivers State indigene is a veritable stakeholder in the state and had something to offer. Guided by that conviction, we convened several Town Hall meetings to listen to the wishes and desires of our people. We did so in the knowledge that only through direct contact and engagement with the people can we know the kind of development they desire and deserve. We were also guided by the conviction that such meetings would provide additional platform for consensus building and conflict resolution. Through these interactions, we can say today that we understand the problems of the state and have duly fashioned a comprehensive programme to begin to solve them.

Re-affirming our vision

The unifying vision of our mission in government is to rebuild Rivers State into a modern, functional and peaceful state that will meet our people’s hunger for the good life. Our state should be an attractive destination for investment and a conducive environment for business and social life.

This is the vision that informs the various projects that we have so far embarked upon. It is the basis for understanding our style of governance and the overall pace of our actions as an administration.

A new modern Port Harcourt City

As we all know, Rivers State is a virtual city state. The city of Port Harcourt houses the soul of our state. Most of you will however agree that the city that we have today is a far cry from what some of you knew in earlier times. Today, our streets are narrow and congested. Our drains are blocked.

Potable water is nearly absent. Our neighbourhoods are rough, dilapidated and dangerous.

As an administration, we have since recognised that we need to renew and expand Port Harcourt to enable it fulfill the dual function of state capital and economic nerve centre. To this end, we have embarked on a series of urban renewal projects in the existing city. This involves expansion of existing roads, rehabilitation of some as well as the rebuilding of markets and public spaces.

A comprehensive environmental reclamation programme is about to begin. This will involve landscaping and re-greening of public spaces and rights of way. We are anxious that Port Harcourt should regain its reputation as the Garden City, a place of peace, tranquility and beauty.

We, however, recognise that Port Harcourt as we know it today has been overwhelmed by population explosion. We need to plan for the future. To this end, we have since commissioned a master plan for a new Port Harcourt city. The master plan is nearing completion. We envisage that the new city will be integrated with the existing city through a network of modern roads, bridges, mono rail and a rapid mass transit system.

Roads and Physical Infrastructure

We inherited a state with decayed infrastructure especially roads. In the last twelve months, we have taken decisive action to redress this state of affairs. We have embarked on a massive programme of road rehabilitation, repairs and new construction.

Our road development effort is aimed at linking the urban area to the rural and the riverine to the upland parts. As you may have noticed, some of the roads have been completed while others are ongoing, while others are at the contract award stage. It is our determination that all significant roads throughout the state will be built or rehabilitated in the life of this administration.

Out of the total number of about 125 major road projects that we have so far awarded, I am happy to report that several of them have been completed. Some of the road projects in focus include the dualisation of the Airport-Isiokpo/Omerelu Road, the dualisation of the Rumuokwuta-Choba East-West Road, the dualisation of the Phases I & II of the Ada-George Road in the Obio/Akpo Local Government area, the dualisation of the Slaughter/Trans-Amadi/Rumuobiakani Road and the construction of the Omofo-Agba Ndele Road in Emohua Local Government Area.

Although we suffered a set-back with some major projects like the construction of the Eleme Junction Interchange where Julius Berger, the contractors, pulled out following the kidnapping of its staff. With the gradual improvement in the security situation in the state, arrangements have been completed for work to resume on both the Eleme Junction Interchange and other such sites previously abandoned owing to the criminal activities of militants. The onset of the dry season will also enable most contractors on our road projects to return to site or be fully mobilised.

The landmark project in our infrastructure development plan is the anticipated 125-kilometre, six-lane Ring Road around the city of Port Harcourt to be known as Greater Port-Harcourt Arterial Ring Road, complete with two cable-stayed bridges. This project, which is estimated to cost about US $l billion, is to be built under a Public Private Partnership arrangement with the Africa Finance Corporation and the China Harbour and Engineering Company (CHEC). While design work on the project has been completed, discussions are ongoing with the financing and other technical partners to ensure an early take off and completion of the project. The Ring Road would be the largest municipal highway project, not just in Nigeria, but on the African continent. It is expected to be a revenue yielding project rather than a white elephant. Another project that deserves mention on this occasion is the ongoing multi-million naira Entertainment Centre which is also being built under a Public Private Partnership arrangement with Silver Bird Company based in Lagos. The Centre, which should be ready early in 2009, is a further vote of confidence by the private sector in our ability to turn around the economic fortunes of our state, even in the face of the tremendous challenges that confront us.

Similarly, the new ultra-modern market in the new Port-Harcourt Layout, near Borokiri, currently under construction, should open for business in 2009.

We recognise, as a government, that the determination to return Port Harcourt to its glorified past as the real ‘Garden City’ of Nigeria will come at some cost. It has, for instance, led to the demolition of some illegal and makeshift structures. Where necessary, we are committed to paying compensations for legal structures that are affected by the ongoing development. While the inconvenience and disruption of business activities is regrettable, we want to assure our people that we feel their pain and share their sense of loss. But the long term benefits of these developments will compensate for these, by way of increased business and better traffic flow. In this regard, I wish to thank all our people again for their understanding.

Education

We inherited an Educational system that was in deep crisis. Convinced that the solution to the crisis was way beyond the mere rehabilitation of existing structures, we were compelled to declare a state of emergency in this sector. Under the emergency measures which came into effect last month, government has taken over responsibility for primary school education entirely. This includes an annual wage bill of about N12 billion for the payment of teachers’ salaries.

As further incentive to primary school teachers, government has also introduced car loans for teachers and also put in place a special remuneration and welfare regime for teachers who work in rural areas.

But even more fundamental is the fact that under the emergency scheme, we have decided to build an average of 250 new primary school complexes per annum to replace the existing dilapidated structures. We expect that by the end of this administration, we would have built a total of 1,000 new primary schools, thus replacing the entire physical structure of our primary school system. These schools will be adequately equipped and manned under a new teacher training initiative that is part of the education emergency programme.

At the secondary school, we have embarked, under a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP), arrangement with various interests such as banks and oil companies, on the construction of brand new, properly-equipped modern secondary schools. Our ultimate aim is to have these model schools in every local government but we are starting with a pilot scheme of one per senatorial zone. These schools would be adequately equipped with boarding facilities for up to 1,000 students per school and housing facilities for an estimated 40 teachers per school with all utilities.

To prepare for this new educational agenda, we have also embarked on a massive re-orientation of school teachers at all levels. To further ensure that this exercise is fully successful, government will provide adequate learning tools to our state schools in the form of books and other instructional materials.

At the tertiary level, government has continued to adequately fund the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), the College of Education and the Polytechnic at Bori. So far, about N3 billion has been expended on the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. This level of support was necessitated by the need to assist the institution to rescue and renew its infrastructure and facilities for accreditation. I am proud to announce that under its new leadership, the university has earned full accreditation of its major courses. Academic staff of the university are being encouraged to pursue higher degrees in their respective disciplines in order to ensure a higher quality of instruction and international competitiveness.

It is our determination to transform the RSUST into a world class institution so that it can meet the needs of a state in dire need of rapid technological advancement. In recognition of this and as a result of the limited space available at its present site for expansion, we have decided to relocate the university from its present site. The process will commence very soon on the construction of the 150-hectre ultra modern campus. The new campus will have faculty and hostel facilities for some 60,000 students in a world class learning environment.

We believe that education should be accessible to all citizens of Rivers State irrespective of their financial circumstances. To this end, we have revamped the Rivers State Scholarship scheme under a new board. Under the scheme, more and more of our citizens are to be trained at home and abroad to fill the manpower gap that might arise from the rapid development that we envisage will result from our administration’s policies and programmes. Our commitments in the educational sector amount to 11 per cent of our annual budget. This is five times the average annual allocation to the sector in the past eight to ten years. While this is still far, less than the 26 per cent recommended by UNESCO, it represents the highest commitment by any state in the federation.

Health care delivery

As a government, we believe in the age-long dictum that ‘health is wealth’. Accordingly, we have also taken bold measures to reposition the health sector in the state. Our strategy in the health sector is to integrate primary, secondary and tertiary health care delivery into a comprehensive statewide network. At the primary level, we have since commenced work on the first stage of construction of over 120 model health centres all over the state.

These Health Centres are mini-hospitals that will be fully equipped and manned with facilities for resident doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians. The first set of health centres is ready for commissioning. Others should be ready for commissioning in the first half of next year.

When we assumed office, there was only one functional secondary health institution in Port-Harcourt. By the end of 2009, there should at least be 3 government secondary health institutions in Port-Harcourt alone,

In place of the old Niger Hospital work is at an advanced stage on a 250bed modern hospital. Also, in place of the old Dental Hospital, a new five storey Dental Hospital is in progress. We have also completed plans, under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with foreign investors to build a 250-bed Women and Children’s Specialist Hospital in Port-Harcourt.

These projects should, all things being equal, be ready before the end of the tenure of this administration.

In tandem with these massive projects in the health sector, we have maintained the free medical programme for children below five as well as the elderly in government medical institutions, which we inherited from the previous administration. However, we have gone one step further, by offering free ante-natal services to pregnant women who are indigenes of Rivers State, while all pregnant women in the state are now entitled to free medical care in the first 24-hours of their admission to any government health care facility. Very shortly, we will launch our school health programme with a comprehensive free de-worming of pupils in schools in the state.

In addition, under a specially enhanced remuneration package deal, more health personnel, doctors, nurses, etc, are being encouraged, for the benefit of our people, to work and live in rural areas.

Water supply

When we took office, the situation of water supply in the state was deplorable and attracted, and rightly so, public outcry. Evidently, years of neglect of the sector had given rise to non-functional pumping stations.

To reverse the situation, we quickly embarked upon extensive intervention work in the Port-Harcourt Water Supply Scheme. At huge costs, we revamped, among others, the Rumuola Pumping Station, the Moscow Road Pumping Station, the Borokiri Pumping Station, the Trans-Amadi Pumping Station, the Diobu Pumping Station and the Eagle Island Pumping Station.

These would act as a temporary measure while we shall commence, before the end of the year, a new water scheme for Port Harcourt. That process is being approached with speed.

Power generation

Erratic supply of power has, regrettably, always been a problem for us in the state as it is in most parts of the federation. The completion of the Trans-Amadi and Eleme Projects which we inherited from the previous administration is being pursued vigorously. On completion, the project will inject an additional 175MW into the national grid for the services of the state.

Under our rural electrification scheme, we have, in the past one year, undertaken, among others, the following projects:

. The installation of (2) 2,000KVA generating sets and (4) 500KVA distribution transformers and the construction of a new generating house in Buguma Town (Asari-Toru LGA);

The installation of (2) 2,000KVA generating sets, a step-up transformer, (4) 500KVA distribution transformers and the construction of a generating housing in Abonnema Town (AkukuToru LGA) for N280 million; and

The construction of a 33KV double circuit transmission line from Eleme to Gokana Junction and the integration of about 20 communities in Khana LGA to the available grid at the cost of N675 million. Similar projects have been undertaken, also in the past one year, at average costs of N250 million, in Opobo Town, Abuloma and Borikiri.

Housing

The challenge of providing adequate and affordable housing in clean, green and organised environments remains one of our cardinal preoccupations. As a demonstration of our concern about the housing shortage in the state.

We have entered into a number of Private Public partnership agreements on massive housing projects. The first and most visible of these is the partnership with First Bank and Intel to build a series of Housing Estates for our people.” Of this, the new Rainbow Housing Estate, with its anticipated 700 luxury flats, stands out. This N30 billion project, in partnership with First Bank, when completed, will not only change the landscape of Port-Harcourt, but would also mark a revolutionary break-through for Housing Policy in the state.

We invite the private sector to partner with our administration to develop more housing estates in the state to provide more affordable housing for our people.

Agriculture

Being a predominantly fishing state, a major objective of our agricultural policy is to transform our state into the cat-fish hub for the entire country. This explains why we are encouraged to provide loans to our citizens who wish to engage in fish farming. Early this month, Israeli fishing experts completed a training programme for some 120 of our citizens in the latest fish farming techniques.

We have also set aside N1 billion for the setting up of farm settlements. These settlements, which will be patterned after the famous Songhai Farms in Benin Republic, will engage 250 farmers. Although government will provide the necessary infrastructure for the initial setting up of the settlements through the provision of loans, equipment, and other items, ownership of the settlements will ultimately revert to the farmers themselves.

Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation

It does not require an expert to see that unemployment breeds crime and that capacity building for human development is a cornerstone for societal growth. When we came on board, we had some 2 million unemployed youths in the state. We knew that something had to be done quickly. Fortunately, the previous administration had set up the Peace and Rehabilitation Committee to rehabilitate repentant cultists and criminals in the state. There was also the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) in place. To complement the efforts of the RSSDA, we quickly introduced the Window of Opportunities Programme (WOP). The WOP project covers the acquisition of entrepreneurship skills in various waste-to-wealth initiatives, agricultural schemes, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), cosmetics and small-scale industries.

Incidentally, the first batch of 123 successful beneficiaries of the RSSDA educational project, comprising 57 males and 66 females commenced their entrepreneurial acquisition skills training in Port-Harcourt this past August.

Upon completion of their training, the candidates will enter into a bond with the state government to remain committed to the development of the state.

To further reduce unemployment in the state, government has mandated construction companies handling construction works for the state to employ the services of at least 20 per cent of their work-force from among the local population. Also, a bill to establish a Micro-Credit Scheme to further empower our people to earn a living on their own has been passed in the House of Assembly.

Local Government Administration

Our government is of the firm view that the role of local government councils is pivotal to good governance. This explains why, perhaps, for the first time in the history of our state no deductions are made from local government allocations.

We believe that in order to be effective, local governments must not be over burdened nor should their funds be diverted to non-development oriented items. This is the reason why we recently relieved local governments of the burden of primary school teachers’ salaries. It is hoped, however, that the funds released from this gesture will be put to productive use towards the development of the local government areas. In order to ensure that this happens, we shall soon institute a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for assessing and grading local governments in the state according to their level of performance in our development effort.

And to further ensure accountability at the local council level, I have directed the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs are closely and regularly monitoring the implementation of local council budgets to ensure that there is a correlation between projects and budgets allocated for them.

To further encourage performance and excellence at this tier of government, government has also introduced the ‘Excellence in Local Government Initiative’. Under the scheme, various stakeholders, at the local government level critically assess the performance of their councils. While the best council receives an award and also a special dedicated project, the worse ones receive a reprimand from the State House of Assembly, which has the statutory powers to punish and even suspend non-performing local government councils.

On chieftaincy matters, government has set up a Chieftaincy Resolution Committee to resolve chieftaincy disputes before they escalate into bigger crises.

Reform of the system

We recognise that no system is perfect. But there are elements of the system of governance that we inherited that were not in consonance with progress and transparency. Accordingly, we have instituted a number of reforms in the system. Under this ongoing process, we have granted the judiciary fiscal independence for the first time in the history of the state and perhaps in the federation.

This is designed to free the judiciary to control its own budget and allocate its resources as it deems fit in order to enhance the administration of justice to all.

Furthermore, we have introduced a Project Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in the office of the Governor. The purpose of this unit is to closely monitor projects, ascertain the performance of contractors and generally ensure that the state is getting full value for funds committed to specific projects.

Earlier in the year, we initiated a bill on Due Process. This bill has now been passed by the State House of Assembly. We have also constituted a Due Process Commission. As soon as the Commission commences work, the award of contracts by the administration will be brought in line with the requirements of due process in order to enhance transparency and accountability.

Under a broad Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Programme, we have completed the full automation of the Payroll System of all civil servants, thus eliminating not only the era of ghost workers and the untimely payment of staff salaries, but also ensuring that we have a complete up-to-date database of all payees and employees in the state’s civil service. This database will help us plan for future expansion and monitor employees for better provision of pension information.

This broad ICT scheme will also lead to the establishment of state-wide WIMAX network, which will bring high speed access and various services, including the Internet, Voice Data and Video Conferencing. Indeed, earlier this week, I unveiled the River State Web Portal, which will provide information management capabilities within government and to the public on the internet.

Reform is an ongoing process. We shall continue to watch the system and will not hesitate to initiate further reforms where necessary but this will always be with the best interest of the state at heart.

The Security Challenge

We are fully aware that all the projects and programmes upon which we have embarked can only bear fruit in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

As you will all recall that one year ago, our great state was literally under siege. Quite apart from the menace of armed robbery, the twin evil of cultism and criminality was destroying the economic and social well-being of our state. Criminal elements infiltrated our legitimate and just struggle and held sway like war-lords, killing and maiming at will. Day-light kidnapping of innocent citizens was virtually a daily occurrence. Security of life and proper reached an all-time low and naturally, the economic wellbeing of our state suffered its severest blow.

As a responsible government, which knows that the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government, we knew that we had to do something quickly. We knew that we had to enforce the law of the land.

We quickly took the bull by the horns, by first continuing with the emergency measures we inherited from the previous administration and accepting the offer of the federal government for the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) to assist the Police in maintaining law and order in the state.

This initiative seems to be paying off, for not only has the economic atmosphere improved considerably, the activities of kidnappers, lawless cultists and other criminals appear to be on a fast decrease. While some kidnappings still occur, they appear confined to outside the Port-Harcourt metropolis. But even the problem of these periodic cases of kidnapping is being rapidly addressed. It is my hope that these kidnappings and other criminal activities which threaten the economic life of our state will soon be things of the past.

In this regard, I wish to place on record our appreciation to the Federal Government, especially President Umaru Yar’Adua, who has shown great understanding of the national security implications of the security challenge in the state and empowered the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) to confront the activities of these criminals in our midst. We salute the gallantry of members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) for their efforts in containing the menace of cultists, criminals and misguided militants in the state.

While acknowledging the successes that the security forces have scored in recent times, we recognize that the challenge is still very much alive. As an administration, we shall not relent until we restore the security situation in the state to normal. We urge all our people to remain vigilant and go about their lawful activities in the assurance that the government is doing everything in its power to guarantee their safety and security.

Towards Peace and Reconciliation

We are committed to ensuring a peaceful and harmonious Rivers State. This is what underlies our stout opposition to those elements in our state who are engaged in acts of violence and criminality under the guise of advancing the larger Niger Delta cause. We remain firm in our conviction that the Niger Delta cause to which we are all committed will fare much better if we separate it from the activities of common criminals who have been disturbing the peace of the region. For us in Rivers State, the commitment to law enforcement remains resolute.

However, I want to use this opportunity to urge those elements in the state who are still engaged in acts of criminality to rethink their choice. “Our state needs the contributions of all its citizens. There are enough opportunities and challenges to engage the productive capacity of all our people. Those who have since depended on acts of criminality for financial gains must realise that nothing is to be gained from blocking the path of development for selfish ends.

We want to use this opportunity to renew our call on all misguided elements in our midst to renounce violence, surrender their arms and embrace the new spirit of peace and reconciliation. As an administration, our doors are open to all those who seek peace and want to contribute to the development of the state. The government has put in place bold and robust rehabilitation programmes which remain open to all such persons.

We are an inclusive administration because we believe that the task of developing the state requires the fullest involvement and mobilisation of all our citizens.

In addition, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission offers ample opportunity to the genuinely aggrieved to freely express their views, air their grievances and unburden their hearts of past wrongs and misdeeds. It is regrettable that some people have mistaken the TRC for a platform for settling political scores. Only by embracing the truth can we hope to achieve genuine reconciliation and peace among our people.

In extending this olive branch, let there not be any doubt about the will and ability of this administration to protect the lives and property of all law abiding residents of the state. We shall continue to co-operate with and support the security forces in their ongoing efforts to restore peace and order not only in Rivers State but indeed the entire Niger Delta region.

The need for vigilance

Good people of Rivers State, as an administration, we have come with a genuine determination to be a force of positive change and good for all our people. You may however have noticed in events of the past few weeks that the ugly politics of yesteryears is beginning to rear its head. Certain individuals and groups who previously used power to divide our people and set us back still believe that Rivers State is their private estate. They have in recent times embarked on negative acts of destabilization such as campaigns of calumny, blackmail, false propaganda. These interests have infiltrated the ranks of vital organs of the federal state and are using them to advance their narrow interests.

I urge our people to recognise the footprints of the enemies of progress. On our part, we remain resolute in our determination to transform Rivers State into a modern state that will be the pride of all our people. We will not be distracted from this assignment. Nor will we shy away from doing what is necessary to redress the ills of the past and recover what belongs to our people.

Conclusion

My fellow citizens of Rivers State, you will recall that one of my first actions as Governor was to set up the Rivers State Advisory Council. The Council was made up of very distinguished Rivers State professionals and experts and chaired by Professor Nimi Briggs, to map out an enduring strategy for fast-tracking the development of our state.

One of the key recommendations of the Advisory Council was that government should engage in widespread consultations before embarking on key programmes and projects that would affect the lives of our people. At the core of this advice is the belief that the business of governance is ought to be a collaborative effort between the government and the people.

I affirm that we have been guided in all our actions by this principle.

In turn, we have enjoyed tremendous support from the people of the state at a most difficult time in the history of our state. For this, we in the administration are grateful. Your support has been most encouraging and sometimes overwhelming. But I like to end on a note of appeal to all, repeat, All our citizens to join us in the task of rebuilding our great state.

Times like this call for commitment, courage and understanding. We shall continue to rely on your support always, because only collectively can we move Rivers state forward.

As we were one year ago, we remain committed today to the spirit and the letter of our mission statement, that is, to use our God-given resources to improve the quality of life of our present and future generations and empower our people in a peaceful, just and harmonious society under God.

Thank you and God bless Rivers State and all that live within her borders.