Leadership incompetence worsening insecurity in Nigeria: Governor

*Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State acknowledges there is so much insecurity, but competence and genuine efforts at fighting criminality and insecurity are often undermined in Nigeria

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In expressing his disappointment at how overbearing and undue political interference crowds out excellence in the country’s system, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State says competence and genuine efforts at fighting criminality, insecurity, and attaining sustainable progress are often undermined in Nigeria.

The governor stated that it is very disappointing that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) would ‘compromise competence’ in posting a Commissioner of Police (CP) to Rivers State because a favour-seeking politician had approached him for such patronage, Channels TV report said.

Wike made the accusation when he led Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chief Whip of the Nigeria Senate; Mike Onolememen, ex-Minister for Works, and other dignitaries on a project inspection tour in Port Harcourt and ObioAkpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State Thursday, February 18.

Rebisi Flyover Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister for Works and Housing, commissioned in Port Harcourt recently

According to him, handling of touchy issues like insecurity in that manner makes it difficult for him to partner with the Federal Government often, especially because they are not committed to solving the insecurity plaguing the country.

Otherwise why should the Inspector-General of Police grant such demand for posting a CP to compromise competence? Wike asked.

He further explained that “there is so much insecurity in Nigeria. There are killings everywhere and they (APC) told Nigerians that they will solve the problem. But the problem is not being solved.

“They appoint Commissioner of Police (CP) based on patronage. A politician from my state will go to see the Inspector General of Police and ask him to give him a CP.

“And the IG will not post CP based on competence to fight crime but based on the fact that the man in the party says he wants so and so person.

“When the person comes, will he fight insecurity? No. That’s the problem we have in this country today.

“How can I partner with such a government? A government that will not do things based on competence.”

Speaking on his motivation for his commitment to quality project delivery, Governor Wike said, he is grateful to Rivers People for giving him the opportunity to superintendent over the affairs of the state.

The River State Governor noted that he is giving back to the state quality service that will situate it rightly in the comity of states, and be reckoned as a destination for investments.

He said: “Rivers people gave me an opportunity and I will not misuse or abuse that opportunity.”

Senator Kalu, who was fascinated at the Okoro-Nu-Odo Flyover, Rumuogba Flyover, Mother and Child Hospital, and the Real Madrid Football Academy described them as a long-term investment for the good of Rivers people.

Senator Kalu lauded Governor Wike for mobilising contractors with about 70 percent upfront payment and it is paying off as projects are completed on schedule.

“In the Senate, I proposed that contractors be paid 65 percent, but the Finance Bill went in for 15 percent of mobilisation fee. Here, Governor Wike has just told us that he is paying 70 percent.

“So, he is thinking in the right direction. The government should start giving contractors money upfront with a guarantee so that projects don’t get abandoned, because you go all over the states of Nigeria and you will see a lot of abandoned projects.

He described the Okoro-Nu-Odo flyover as a long-time investment that speaks for itself and Governor Wike is not only talking but is also working on the ground.

Former Minister for Works Onolememen also described the flyover projects as rare kinds and difficult to find anywhere in the country.

All the projects, including the Mother and Child Hospital, are quality infrastructure that are adding to the urban landscape of the State, stated he.

Meanwhile, Governor Wike has advocated that no government should use COVID-19 as an excuse not to invest in infrastructural development that can foster economic development and prosperity in Nigeria.

He said Rivers State will not join the ‘league of states’ that hide under the guise of COVID-19 pandemic to deny their people basic infrastructure like roads which is universally acknowledged as a major contributor to higher economic productivity, growth, and trade.

Wike stated: “COVID-19 cannot be an excuse to any government. COVID -19 is a bad thing, but it has come. It will go whether we like it or not. But people will also be alive.

“Infrastructure must be provided, so you can’t say because of COVID 19 nothing will be done. At the time COVID 19 ends, what will the people be facing?

The governor noted: “Lack of basic infrastructure. So, because of COVID19, I am not going to be doing anything? I am not a party to that. I will continue to work whether there is COVID-19 or not.”

Governor Wike explained his administration has conscientiously been investing in high-quality infrastructure that has positive economic value that can stimulate job creation, boost foreign direct investment in the state.

In the midst of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the Rivers State Government Wednesday approved two additional flyovers at the cost of N12.4billion to Julius Berger, said he.

He added: “You manage whatever you have for the interest of the people. Infrastructure brings investments.

“Part of the problem we have in this country today is the decay of infrastructure. We don’t have it and that also affects investment inflow.”

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