By Zik Gbemre
A very interesting twist of event took place recently in the oil city of Warri, Delta State, that we not only found amusing but also something that should stand as a lesson to all public office holders in the country.
According to several eye-witnesses accounts, it was revealed that during the Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa campaign rally in Warri township Stadium recently, when it was time for the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan to mount the podium, the ‘hired crowd’ were said to have shouted “Who you help?” continuously that Uduaghan was not able to talk to the crowd.
Jokingly, the “who you help” remark has now become the latest slogan in Warri and environs. From Keke (Commercial Tricycle) riders to the market women in the famous Igbudu-warri and Effurun Markets, the popular slogan in Warri now is “who you help?” This was the question directed to the Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan by Deltans in expressing their frustration and disappointed state of mind towards the Governor as one that did not do what was expected of him to alleviate the poverty and hardship in the land with all the money coming into the State. When a ‘Wafarian’ asks such a question like “who you help?” he/she is indirectly telling you in the Nigerian slang that “you no try at all; you just focus on your side and forget the people wey you suppose focus on”.
With barely less than two months to leave Government office, it is really sad that the Uduaghan administration is leaving behind a not too good image in the hearts and minds of Deltans. It is as if the parting gift from Deltans to Uduaghan come May 29, 2015, will be: “WHO YOU HELP?” That is the slogan Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan will be taking home when he leaves office in few weeks time. What a pathetic way to take a bow and leave an office one has occupied for complete eight years. For us, we are not surprised at all by these developments. We even expected it. The problem with many of our Nigerian politicians like Uduaghan, is that they see no need, neither are they compelled to be “accountable to the people”, and the simple reason for this is because they were not honestly elected by the people, rather, they were ‘selected’ and manipulatively brought into Government House by both the powers that be, and the compromised security operatives and the Judiciary. These Nigerian politicians ‘bought’ their mandates from both the electoral organs, the law enforcement agencies and of cause, corrupt Nigerian Judges. The soon-to-be-outgoing Delta State Governor Uduaghan is no exception. If he did not ‘steal’ his mandate, we are very sure he would performed credibly well and be more accountable to the people. Until we stop these corrupt politicians from stealing our votes, manipulating the electoral and the Judiciary, Deltans would never experience “Good Governance”.
But like they say, power is transient for no matter how long and tight one holds on to it, one ‘must’ eventually loose/relinquish it with either ‘honour’ or ‘dishonor’. Unfortunately for the Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, from the described development above, the latter is his case. A closer look at Delta State, especially in the oil city of Warri and environs, we would behold the many ‘failed and abandoned projects’ that have contributed to the Governor being nick-named “Who You Help?”.
The soon-to-be-outgoing Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his convicted cousin, Chief James Ibori (who is serving prison term in the UK over corruption charges), had the opportunity to ‘transform’ and make Warri Oil City to be like Aberdeen and Dubia in their 16 years of being Governors of Delta State, but they blew it.
Perhaps, in his bid to “finish strong” as they have often said, the Delta State Government led by Uduaghan has in the last few weeks trying to ‘fix all the ills’ they had created and have previously been abandoned. But they fail to realize that “IT IS TOO LATE” to try to make themselves look good or appear active. Deltans are not deceived. It is not by commissioning road projects (most of which have been completed several months back), small bridges and other projects within the few weeks you have remaining in Government that will make you appear an active governor. If the right things are not done when they are expected to be done, then whatever you do at the late hour will be seen as fruitless. Besides, what can the Delta State Governor achieve within the few remaining weeks he has in Government House?
Never have we seen or witnessed a government that loves to use all manner of publicity stunts to make itself look good in the eyes of the world, like we have seen exhibited by the current Delta State Government led by Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan. In fact, such publicity by the Delta State government are often coated with ‘sweet talks/write ups’ that are pleasing only to the eyes and ears but all aimed at deceiving the public. It is even bad to note that the democratic attributes of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ embedded in ‘good governance’ have practically eluded Delta State in all ramifications within the past fourteen years or so. This has made Delta State Government to be branded by well-meaning Nigerians and social critics as a “self-perpetuating government” of the ruling party, which ultimately makes whatever the government does, a well-decorated ‘white lie’ specifically designed for ‘deception’ – for the benefit of some few but to the detriment of many.
Like every of its past and present agendas, the above explanation is how best we can describe the so called Delta Beyond Oil (DBO) initiative of the Delta State Government led by Dr. Uduaghan. The said DBO Initiative according to the Delta State Government, portends “diversification from only one source of revenue and exploring other potent sources of revenue capable of creating more wealth than the single source and by so doing, exploring other sectors like agriculture, tourism, transportation etc, all geared toward increasing internally generated revenue.” And during the 2 nd South-South Economic Summit in 2012, many well-meaning Nigerians like us were perplexed by the contents of the welcome address of the Delta State Governor who was the host of the said event. Our perplexed state of mind is hinged on the fact that the contents of the said welcome address, with its ‘usual’ colourfully flamboyant words of expression, did not represent, justify or commensurate the “realities” on ground in Delta State, as regards having a diversified economy.
As we speak, even the ‘basic infrastructural amenities’ like regular power supply, good road networks, a friendly business environment and friendly tax policies are not evident in Delta State. All the Ports around Delta State are not functional. There is no guaranteed security in Delta State as the ‘ill-equipped’ security operatives are left struggling with the battle against kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements. When the basic infrastructures are not there, and no guaranteed security, how then will investors be attracted to come and invest in the State? Today, big oil companies like Shell (SPDC), and others have left Delta State and many are still planning to leave to invest in other States like Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Lagos etc, simply because of the ‘unfriendly business’ environment in the State. Yet, the Uduaghan Government is drumming about “Delta State Beyond Oil”. The Delta State Beyond Oil infinitive is just a mere expression on paper used by the present Delta State Government to deceive themselves and not the people.
Before we go any further, let us make it categorically clear here that we are not using this to witch-hunt or castigate anyone. We do not belong to any political party neither are we affiliated or linked to any political interests. Our aim here like always, is to praise that which is worthy to be emulated by our political leaders and to equally condemn (where necessary), that which is bad and unworthy, without fear or favour. Our deepest desire here is to bring to limelight some of the pressing issues in our polity, specifically in Delta State, with the hope that those concerned will change their ill-advised ways as custodians of state resources for the general good of all and sundry and not for some selected few.
Let us also state here that we do not have anything against the Delta State Government, far from it and completely out of the question. As a matter of fact, the said DBO Initiative and some (not all) of the other programs and agendas of the Delta State Government are worthy steps we believe, if honestly carried out can turn things around. But the problem with this administration and even that which came before it, has always been their “insincerity” in holistically and honestly “implementing” most of their agendas, especially in the management of the huge Federal allocation and State revenues that accrues to the State. This is where the problem lies.
And as such, most of the programmes, projects and agendas initiated by the Delta State Government and its Agencies and arms are more like avenues through which State public funds are misappropriated and mismanaged. Without mincing words, the situation in Delta State is so sad and pathetic that one can only hope for some “divine intervention or the miraculous”, for any major positive and wholesome change to take place. Delta State is a practical example of the unfortunate status most African countries finds themselves in presently; where the political leaders over the years have practiced “voodoo democracy” by using every trick they can muster to remain in government circles and refuse the peoples’ voice, votes and interests to count or matter in their development. And when the people are denied the right to choose their preferred political leaders, what we have evident over the years are political leaders without vision and sacrificial commitment.
Every time one looks around Delta State, compare what one sees with what the State earns and accrues as revenue on a monthly basis, one is left seriously disturbed as to how long must we remain in such pathetic condition? But of course, those that are ‘gaining’ and ‘benefitting’ from the system (no matter how distorted it is), will argue here and tell you otherwise that “all is well”. In fact, since the inception of Democratic rule from 1999, it seems like Delta State has practically been run under ground by past and present political leaders; for nothing seems to be working.
Every sector of the state is bedeviled with one problem or the other, all of which are indications of “cumulated years of bad governance.”
Infrastructural projects are usually poorly and haphazardly carried out; institutions and agencies of government and their activities are heavily-influenced-politically; government contracts figures are usually bloated to satisfy various interests, not to talk of the preferential way such government contracts are awarded and even ‘re-awarded’ severally to misappropriate more public funds, and the list continues. The really sad part about all of this is the fact that when one considers the enormous amount of revenues that comes to Delta State Government coffers; one would continue to wonder the level of greed exhibited by the past and present administrations.
To give us a glimpse of what we are saying here, Delta State, which is one of the ‘major’ states of the oil and gas producing Niger Delta region, is amongst the highest earners of Federal allocation in the country. Let us consider some facts and figures from 2012. Following the promises of President Goodluck Jonathan at the inception of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), on commitment to transparency and accountable implementation of the programme, the Federal Ministry of Finance, through the Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, started making available the breakdown of subsidy savings allocated to the Federal, States and Local Government. For instance, for August 2012, Delta State got N1, 249, 164, 421.92. This amount included the 13% derivation while in the subsidy savings at N97 per litre, Delta State got, N188, 148, 007.01. For the distribution of revenue allocation to state governments by the Federation Account Allocation Committee for the month of July, 2012 which was shared in August, 2012, Delta State made up of 25 local government areas got a Total Gross Amount of N20, 550, 712, 001.30 and a Total Net Amount of N17, 962, 569, 852. 75. Ughelli North, Warri South and Burutu Local Government Areas of delta state had the highest revenue allocations to local government Councils for the month with N213, 668, 720. 95, N203, 854, 422.70 and N185, 375, 240.96 respectively, while the lowest were allocations to Patani, Bomadi and Aniocha South Local Government Councils that got N130, 719, 212.28, N185,375,240.96 and N141, 446,624.83 respectively. From the Federation Allocation, Delta State gets N24billion monthly aside the N4billion Internally Generated Revenue, of which presently has risen to about N50.4 billion according to the Chairman of Delta State Internal Board of Revenue, Hon. Onowakpo.
Further facts showed that a total of N8.8 trillion was actually accrued to the three tiers of government from the Federation Account between January and December 2012 from the statutory and VAT allocations. According to a report, this amount is exclusive of other allocations such as Derivation (for oil-producing states), Excess Crude Account, Domestic Crude Account, Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation refund and foreign exchange differentials. And from statistics provided then by the Federal Government, South-South states received the highest allocations, with Akwa-Ibom receiving N217,776,188,886.07, followed by Rivers State which received N177,488,261,117.17. Bayelsa State got N115,743,144,031.67; and of course, Delta State got a total of N156,052,071,645.19, while Edo State got N68,169,040,433.24. Cross River State N63,894,575,941.74. Then for the month of March 2013, the gross revenue from the Value Added Tax (VAT) witnessed an increase of N1, 492 billion. The sum of N64, 199 billion was available as against N62, 707 billion distributed in the preceding month. A breakdown of the distribution showed that for the month of March 2013 alone, the Federal government got N232, 529 billion (52.68%) as against N209, 856 billion received for the month of February. The State governments shared a total of N117, 942 billion (26.72%) as against N106, 442 billion received for the previous month. The Local governments shared N90, 928 billion (20.60%) against N82, 062 billion received for February. The oil producing states, which includes our dear Delta State, shared the sum of N55, 008 billion as 13% derivation revenue for the month of March 2013 as against N47, 484 billion collected for February 2013.
Another summary of distribution of SURE-P and other Federal allocations for the month of May shared in June 2014, as published by the Office of The Accountant-General of The Federation, Federal Ministry of Finance, showed that Delta State got N1, 027, 490, 326.44 (for SURE-P including 13% derivation), and is amongst the South-South States like Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa with the highest figures received for just that month alone.
And the total gross amount for the same month for Delta State stood at N14, 867, 591, 158.05, and so on do the figures go. Let us also bear in mind that these staggering figures of federal Allocations come into Delta State Government coffers on a ‘monthly basis’.
We decided to take our time to present summary of some of these figures to give us an idea of the sort of public funds available to various Nigerian political leaders, in this case Delta State, to transform their respective States. And let us not forget that all these monies are different and separate from the State’s internally generated revenue that nobody has any idea of what is really the monthly amount that comes into government coffers. The question begging for answer is: Why are states like Edo with N8billion monthly allocation (from August 2012 allocation), are moving on the “fast lane of development” but Delta is grappling with infrastructural development with poor road network across the state which shows that the amount received monthly is not commensurate with what is on ground?
Even when questions are asked and calls made for more accountability (like we have always been doing all these years), satisfactory answers are never given/provided, neither does the government change from its misguided ways. Rather they are quick at defending themselves and justifying their ill-advised and deceptive actions, which we will not be surprised if they do, as soon as this write up is made public.
Whereas, when we look around Delta State, it is as if everything seems to be in a standstill. It is as if the government has gone to sleep, as there is practically nothing concrete that is happening in terms of needed developmental efforts. Our road networks are all virtually in a terrible state of abandonment with unspeakable pot-holes and gullies. For instance, major roads in Warri, Effurun, Ugboroke and environs, are in a state of disrepair. The rainy season usually made them worst, as there are no proper drainage systems and waste management processes to ease the situation. Take for instance the all-busy and commercially viable Airport Express Road, which was resurfaced last year from the New Internal Board of Revenue Building down to St. Mary Junction, the said resurfaced areas of Airport Road was so poorly done that the rains last year practically washed off the resurfaced layer. Many have even argued that the Airport Express Road would have been left the way it was (which was still manageable) before the so called resurfacing job. It was only of recent that perhaps, after public complaint, that the said damaged re-surfaced areas along Airport Express road were being re-surfaced again. Only God knows how much was again budgeted for this.
This situation is similar in other cities of Delta State, including the State Capital Asaba. Then there is the supposed ongoing BRT Lane on the famous Warri-Sapele Road that presently runs from Japka Junction to Enerhen Junction. The said BRT Lane Project, which can best be described as an “after-thought” and “un-planned” project of the Delta State Government, has been replete with a lot of problems that have made it a nightmare for road users and motorists. Because of the size of the Warri-Sapele Road, the said ongoing BRT Lane Project is making life hell for motorists that are now forced to squeeze themselves and use the little space remaining on the side. The issue of ‘Side-Walk’ by pedestrians is completely out of the question, as people are seen treading on any available space close to buildings to get to their destination.
Again, it was after public outcry and a squabble with other higher government authorities that the Delta State Government only recently started expanding the road and making drainage system along the said Warri-Sapele Road. But one cannot help but wonder how a State Government and its Contractor can initiate a BRT Lane Project on an existing narrow expressway without first “expanding the road” (with good drainage system) to adequately accommodate the BRT Lane and other road users by the side? Who starts such a huge project that would deface existing structures without first sitting down to appropriately plan and strategize each stages of the project and how best to go about doing it? It was after the said project was initiated that it became clear that adequate plan was never made to address a lot of things.
Let us also remember that the Delta State Government had embarked and completed the construction of several Bus Stop Terminals/Shades in major cities of the State, which were never used by Deltans or public transporters till date. Not that these Bus Stop Points are not good, but the fact is that they were never needed in the first place by Deltans, going by the dynamics of the public transport system in Delta State. But our Delta State Government and its cabinet are very good at copying out what they see in other States like Lagos, without first considering if such projects will work in the State or accepted by the people; thereby making such projects a complete waste of public funds; which of cause are misappropriated into private pockets.
We are however not surprised by these unfortunate developments in the infrastructural developments of Delta State because of the issue of “vested selfish political interests” in government circles, which has made the appointment, award of contracts and job execution to be heavily-influenced politically. Take DESOPADEC for instance, despite the fact that it is supposed to be an interventionist Development Commission of the Delta State Government that is meant to use 50% of the 13% Derivation funds of Delta State to develop oil-producing areas of the State, the Commission cannot boast of any meaningful concrete and sustainable project/programme it has executed since inception, especially in recent times. This is because DESOPADEC is heavily-dominated by politicians and political interests at its Management level. It is therefore impossible for DESOPADEC to actualize what it was established to do in the first place. It is as if DESOPADEC has gone to sleep and has become a conduit pipe through which State public funds are misappropriated by some selected few.
However, it is all not bad in Delta State. To be fair, the present Delta State Government led by Dr. Emmanuel Udughan, has tried in the renovation/refurbishing of some State primary and secondary schools in the Urban areas of the State. The remodeling and reconstruction of strategic roundabouts like Enerhen Junction and Jakpa Junction. The provision free health care services to pregnant women and children. And also, the provision of Urban Mass transit buses for transportation within the State.
However, even these ‘good’ attributes of Governor Uduaghan administration, are executed on ‘selective’ grounds.
Take the renovation/refurbishment of State Primary and Secondary Schools in Urban areas of the State for instance, one would notice the lopsided upgrade of educational structures and see the discriminatory interest in favour of his native Itsekiri against the neglect of other tribes like the Urhobos in Warri and environs. Go to Dom-Domingos College, see Nana College and others around Itsekiri strongholds, he has transformed them into mini universities, but go to Urhobo College, Hussey College, Unity College of Commerce – UCC (by Igbudu Market), Esi College and even Government College Ughelli, you will see the neglect. These schools are amongst the oldest in Delta State and very high notable people from the South East and South West were products of these schools that are being neglected today. The schools that have Itsekiri names are given attention by the Uduaghan administration while those with Urhobo names are left in squalor.
More so, for a government that barely has two months to exit from office, one begins to wonder what will be the faith of some of the ongoing projects in the State, especially in Warri and environs. These include the BRT Lane, the Fly-over in Effurun Round-about, the Streetlights that are no longer sustainable, The Osubi Airstrip that needs to be upgraded to international standard but appears to have been abandoned, the countless numbers of bad road networks, etc.
The Delta State Governor cannot be talking about “Delta State Beyond Oil” when commercial cities like Warri does not have a standard airport. What Warri has is still the Osubi Airstrip; which is currently being underutilized because of its size. The Delta State Governor had started the Osubi Airstrip expansion to become a standard Airport but today, it has become a failed project abandoned by the Delta State Government. Sadly, because of this, you cannot get a flight from Abuja to Warri at the weekends except you pass through Benin. Let us also remember that the city of Warri is where Governor Uduaghan’s family live, that means, they will be going to Benin to catch their flight most times.
There is nothing wrong with the Airport in Asaba, especially since it is located in the State’s Capital. But one would have expected that by now, the Delta State governor ought to have taken over the Osubi Airstrip and upgrade and expand it to an International Airport since it is strategically located in urban Delta. But because of the location of the Osubi Airstrip,
the Delta State Governor is playing politics with it and has done nothing. Also, one would have expected that by now, there should have been another bridge linking Warri and the other side from Udu LGA. There is also the Warri Industrial Park often talked about with so much publicity, but this is merely more on paper than in reality. In fact, most of this administration’s projects/programmes are mere propagandas and publicity stunts aimed at scoring cheap political points for “future political ambitions” of the State Governor and his supporters.
The crux of the matter is that Deltans, especially those in political circles, should stop all the praise-singing and sycophancy for things to change for the good of all. Until we begin to tell ourselves the truth as Deltans, mediocrity would continue to be enthroned as lord over all of us.
We should stop deceiving ourselves by telling our political leaders the truth and nothing but the truth. The few people that praise the Delta State Governor know in their deep hearts that this administration has not performed as expected going by the enormous revenue it enjoyed. But they will prefer to praise the governor because of what they are gaining or expected to gain from the system. However, we are glad that majority of the people in Delta State are beginning to see things cleary and differently, hence, the nick name: “Who you help?” given to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, What a ‘dishourable’ way for one to bow out of a government he has enjoyed for eight years.
Zik Gbemre,JP.
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC)
No.28, Opi Street Ugboroke Layout, Effurun-Warri,
PO Box 2254, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
Tel: +2348026428271
+2348052106013
