By Zik Gbemre
I have always constructively criticized the PDP-led Government in Delta State for nonperformance since 1999 till date, regardless of who or what is concerned. This included the 8 years tenure of former Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who, in my own score card, performed very low as expected, and considering the enormous revenue accrued to the State during his reign in Government, which when the oil revenue wealth was at its peak in the country. So, if we are to juxtapose the huge amount of oil and gas revenue that came to the State during Uduaghan’s time in Office, with the level of development achieved, the disparity that exist will not tally at all to justify the disposition of that Government. But regardless of this undeniable fact, that does not mean that it was all bad. There are certain things I can pinpoint to say this is what the past administration of Uduaghan had left behind as a good legacy in Delta State.
Let me reiterate here that I am not here to defend or speak for, and on behalf of Uduaghan in any way. But with the recent video of Uduaghan’s interview on Channels TV (Hard Copy with Maupe) programme, which has practically gone viral on social media platforms, I consider it necessary to say one or two things as regards the real realities of things as I see it. Firstly, I am surprised at Uduaghan’s response when he was asked to mention what legacy he had left behind in Delta State during his 8 years reign as Governor, and all he could mention was that he was able to provide free access to healthcare for pregnant women, which created a good infant mortality rate. I do not know if I should call it ‘interview fright’ or ‘being tongue-tied’ – but Uduaghan’s statement, which has become the latest joke and topic in town, fell short of what we would ordinarily expect him to say.
There is this thing that is evident in Nigerian political landscape, and that is a situation where people’s image are destroyed, rundown, dragged in the mud or what have you – using every available means necessary to achieve this in the public’s eye. That is what I see playing out with this Uduaghan’s ‘laughable interview’. Even though in reality, Uduaghan’s achievements while as Governor of Delta State for 8 years, can be said to be very scanty and not encouraging for anyone to sing his praise, but that does not mean it is bad all the way. And if we are to look at things constructively, logically and truthfully, we can mention some of the few good legacies left be behind by Uduaghan’s past administration, even though these things were not mentioned by him during the said interview on Channels TV.
For instance, we cannot take away the fact that one major achievement of the Uduaghan past Government was constructing the massive Delta Mall (popularly Known as Shoprite) located by Effurun Roundabout, and another one at Asaba the State capital. He started these shopping malls from the scratch to completion, and now people in Delta State and even from other States and cities, can boast of having such beautiful places to do their shopping, hangout with families and friends. This was not so before now. Then there is the Fly-over at the Effurun Roundabout which was also constructed/though partially completed by Uduaghan’s government.
Also, there was nothing like the Asaba Airport, whether as a proposal or as an ongoing project, before the Uduaghan Government initiated that project, which has opened air flight transportation for Deltans across major cities in the country. Similar to this is the Osubi Airstrip Runway Expansion/Upgrade project to a Standard Airport, which the present Governor Ifenyi Okowa Government has decided to abandon. One would have expected that there should be ‘continuity’ of projects in the State by successive Governments. But that has not been the case. Uduaghan also constructed the network of roads with good drainage system in Ugboroke Layout, Effurun-Warri, as well as of other similar network of roads across different areas of the State while he was a Governor.
Another major thing that stands out as a good legacy for Uduaghan was his renovation/transformation agenda for most of the Government-owned Primary and Secondary Schools in the State, which were renovated into modern standard schools. Before now, these Government-owned Schools were dilapidated, decaying, worn-out, rickety and a mockery of what public schools’ ought to be. But Uduaghan changed all of that during his time in Office. So, we cannot really say that, from what he said on the Channels TV interview, that Uduaghan did not do anything or that he did not leave any good legacy behind. Yes, agreed that there are so many things he could have done in the State in terms of development, but he didn’t, especially with the enormous money that accrued to the State under his reign, but that does not mean nothing concrete was done at all. But with the way the said video interview of Uduaghan on Channels TV is being analyzed, interpreted and circulated, one would think that no good legacy was left behind by the former Governor.
This syndrome of ‘pulling people down’ and making mockery/jest of what people say or do while in positions of power, especially on different social media platforms, needs to stop. I believe if we must criticize, it must be done constructively and logically, and not to run people down, make mockery of them, or even blackmail them to damage or dent their image in the public’s eye. Again, while I am not here to support, or speak for Uduaghan, but I believe that issues like this should be looked at logically without bias. Criticism is good, if only the intention is to correct.
Zik Gbemre, JP.
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC
