Why Gov. Wike Is a Chartered Ignoramus on Economy

By Dakuku Peterside

I watched Governor Wike spend more than one hour of precious time on three national television networks paid for with Rivers taxpayers’ money responding incoherently to an interview I granted earlier . It was a one hour that exposed his ignorance and made Rivers State Government an object of ridicule before the whole world. Gov Wike did not fail to prove right those who say Rivers State does not deserve a comedian and an Area Boy as Governor.  He literally went to the mud, his natural territory, and muddled up serious issues of statecraft.

Wike’s main argument is that I said the budget of a state or an organization is indicative of the aspiration and performance of the economy. He wondered how a doctorate degree holder can say such a thing. First is to admit I said so. Let me repeat it, that the budget of a Local Government, State or Nation is the most important document year on year and it encapsulates the hopes and dreams of the people. It reflects the capacity, imaginative thinking, ambition and direction of the government.  I would not bother to dignify Wike with a reply but will set the record straight for posterity sake.

A budget is an expression of the economic history and aspirations of any organization including a state. It is painful to school the Governor of a state, let alone Rivers State, about the basic import of the financial estimates of public economic activities; that, like the world over, public income and expenditure estimates are the bedrock of economic activities. He may like to know that the revenue estimates are an indication of the size and health of the private sector as captured in taxation; that the expenditure estimates and history are an indication of the growth trend and developmental trajectory of a state or nation.

I was more embarrassed when I read the statement he authorized his Press Secretary to issue, that one has to respond at the cost of engaging Wike who has expressed clear ignorance in the importance of the document his entire government designs and implements. What is clear here is that by these statements, we can now confirm that Wike does not know what he claims to be doing in the government house. No wonder there are ‘seven’ bridges that solve nothing on the same road in nearly seven years of clear ignorance and mismanagement.

If the State’s income and expenditure pattern is not  the core indicator of your economic life, Wike should come and tell us what then is. It is noteworthy that in his confessions of ignorance about the import of the budget, Wike did not offer one reason why the budget is not an indication of economic health as I asserted.  Budgets as I stated in my interview are supposed to be a reflection of the government’s economic, social and policy direction and that from what I have seen and read Wike is taking Rivers State nowhere.

We now know why things are so deplorable in Rivers State after trillions of Naira expensed over the nearly sssSseven inglorious years of Wike so far. Rivers people should note that, at least, Wike has confirmed he does not know why (and how) his government prepares her budget and its impact on the Rivers economy. Now we know why the State has been rudderless because it has been in the hands of a confessed economic novice like Wike. We can now understand why private investment is completely absent or is sparing. It is because public investment is unplanned, not targeted, and uncoordinated, and that growth is impossible in such a “boys-o-yeah” or “breast pocket” approach to public policy. Though painful, we take solace in the knowledge that this ill-wind shall soon pass for good and we can restart the growth and development of our state through appropriate budgeting.

I am happy Gov Wike agreed that it has been six years of no real governance in Rivers State. Since he did not challenge this assertion, I will not bother as my position was so clearly stated in the interview under reference. He made reference to courts being shut down for almost two years. You can now see how an accidental Governor addresses serious matters of statecraft. Wike also talked about the road to my hometown of Opobo which he played less than 5 percent role in the completion as an indicator of good governance.  We are unlucky to have a joker as a state Governor and I am confident Rivers people will also come out of this nightmare that forces of darkness foisted on us. I rest my case.

Written by Dakuku Peterside, PhD., former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)

Ebonyi Govt set a twelve man committee to investigate level of Ebubeagu engagements, loopholes in the state

Gracia Simeon-Abakaliki

Ebonyi state government has set up a twelve (12) man Public Complaint commitee to investigate the operational loopholes and level of compliance to the rules of Ebubeagu Security engagement in the State.

Barr. Uchenna Orji disclosed this at the end of the State Executive Council meeting held at the new government house centenary city Abakaliki.

The commitee includes representative from Traditional Rulers, Human Right Commission, Ministry of Justice, Secretary to the State Government& Coordinating Commissioner, Security consultant and Christain Association of Nigeria CAN.

Others includes,  Elders Coucil, Nigeria Barr Association, Ministry of Information and State Orientation and the Ombudsman who shall act as the Secretary of the Committee while the unanimously elect their Chairman.

His words “EXCO appraised the level of performance of the operational duties of the Ebubeagu Security in the State  and commended them very highly for their efforts in enhancing the security of the State  . 

“EXCO further deliberated on their operational loopholes and level of compliance to the rules of engagement, including  other conventional security outfits in the State and resolved to set up a Public Complaint Committee to look into issues of rules of engagement and infractions on human rights and to make appropriate recomendations to the Governor of Ebonyi State”.

 Orji also noted that Governor Umahi has directed that all Christmas welfare for workers be made available to their individual accounts on or before Friday 17 December.

He said “His Excellency, the Governor in EXCO directed that all Christmas packages and salaries must be made available to the beneficiaries on or before Friday, 17th December, 2021 and stated that there would be dire consequences for any MDA or Local Government that  fails or neglects to the make available all approved Christmas welfare packages and salaries to the beneficiaries  within the dead line of Friday,17th December,2021”.

Orji also noted that Exco blacklisted Thirteen contracts giving to companies for failure to complete UBEB contracts giving to between 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The companies  banned and blacklisted by EXCO includes Another Level Enterprise Ltd, Triumphant Contractor Ltd, Head and Tail Nig Ltd, Top Goals Ltd

Sampraise Ltd, Vision Page Ltd, Clemopez Inv. Ltd, Febiks Multiservice Ltd, Uwasum NIG Ltd, Dyre Associate Ltd

Mercy Seat Ltd, Ngwu Chuks Ltd and Krimola Nig. Ltd

Orji further added that EXCO received a report on the details of work to be done on Hausa Quarters flyover and the cost of the first phase was presented to EXCO. 

Orji also added that EXCO has approved The sum of Nine Hundred and Sixty Two Million Four Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand One Hundred and Ninety Six Naira Fifty Five (N962,477,196.55) for the first phase of the Hausa Quarters Flyover project.

Orji however disclosed that EXCO has received the Executive Order No 006, 2021 (As amended) which in intended to streamline the fees payable for the conduct of certain school examinations in Ebonyi State.

Orji said “The Executive Order deemed to have come into effect on 7th day of December, 2021 is called “Executive Order/Harmonization of Examination Fees and Examination Dates 2021” Under this arrangement, all  payments shall  be made directly into the State IGR account and the Chairman of PTA will present a teller to the Ministry of Education which will authenticate  same with the Ministry of Finance and a Cheque of 50% of the money be remitted to the school through the PTA of the School.  The Secretary and Treasurer of the PTA shall be signing all cheques for the PTA. Any loss of money whatsoever shall be replaced within 24 hours by the officer responsible for remittance”

Okowa commissions Oshimili North Local Government Council Liaison Office Ibusa

The Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has commissioned the Oshimili North Local Government Area Liaison Office Ibusa, built by the Chairman of the LGA, Hon Innocent Esewezie.

The governor who was marveled by the edifice hailed the LGA Boss for his preparedness to leadership hence the success witnessed today with the erecting of the Liaison Office, the Executive Complex amongst other projects. 

Gov. Okowa expressed his joy that a free election was held which birth the administration because a popular and ready candidate was sworn in in the person of Hon. Esewezie. He prayed for many more beautiful successes positing that he has no regrets.

The edifice was named Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Complex, while the conference room was named after Chief Peter Okocha who was present there. The ultra modern Event Centre was named after the Progenitor of Umuodafe, Ezebogoani multipurpose hall.

The occasion was graced by popular dignitaries drawn from the political class, like Chief Ndudi Elumelu, House of rep Minority Leader, Chief Patrick Ukah, the SSG, Barr. Mrs. Princess Pat Ajudua, Chief Whip DTHA, Members of the Delta State Executive Council, the vice chairman, Amb Uju Okolo, the House Leader, Hon Adim Ofuase and other Councilors, Traditional Rulers of Oshimili North amongst others.