In the history of Rivers State , the pace of development witnessed in the last seven years was unequalled, since the inception of democratic and military dispensation and the return to democracy in 1999.
This involved both infrastructure and human capital development that brought the state to the fore of comity of states where leadership that was accountable to his people under Governor Nyesom Nzenwo Wike since 2015.
Governor Wike has developed a formidable strategy that criss crossed all facets of the state ranging from Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, as well as creation of job opportunities through a robust revenue base that had placed Rivers State as a cynosure and an exemplar in the comity of states in the 6th Republic .
No doubt , Nigeria’s President named and honored Rivers State Governor as the best in infrastructure development not minding the party and ideological differences.
Wike had embarked on wholistic infrastructure provision , remodelling and renewal of existing ones to meet the current realities and dually deliver dividends of democracy.
This is coming after inheriting bogus uncompleted projects during the previous administrations, Infrastructural decay arising from the negligence of the previous administration, with those yearning for government attention.
Without hesitation, Rivers State Governor, Nzenwo Nyesom Wike set the machinery in motion that roles out a comprehensive policy of urban renewal and rural integration with building of major roads across the state , fly overs and linkages to other states on his priority lists.
One good precedence about Rivers State Governor, was beginning a project and ensuring it’s completion and commissioning without recourse to any other commitments by the state government.
Within the years under review, Wike had built many roads and also renovated many ones with the records there for all Nigerians to see, aside the construction of one dozen standard Guage flyovers across the state in the last seven years.
Another people oriented programs and decision of his government that attracted applause from Nigerians was the singular idea of inviting members of the ruling party, APC and the main opposition party, PDP among many other political parties to commission projects that had direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
In Nigeria’s history, Governor Wike had broken the records of uneven development in recent times in our polity, having achieved greatly in all areas of infrastructure in Rivers State.
With the construction of roads and 12 major gigantic flyovers in Rivers State, no doubt he had broken the guinness book of records for not only been the best governor that had placed infrastructural development above board, but taking a leading roles since the return of Nigeria’s democracy in 1999.
For Wike, away from politics , he will hold his head high after leaving office in May 29 , 2023 as one of the best governor Nigeria has ever produced in recent times.
With these strides, the potentials of holding higher office after his two term in office will no longer be negotiable, having been tested and trusted and delivered unique leadership and performance in Rivers State.
Aside , agitating for true fiscal federalism to enable states improved it’s revenue base and generation which he had been at the forefront, he had laid a solid foundation for a true federalism and thriving democracy in Nigeria.
YUSUF writes from Abuja,he can be reached on [email protected].
