Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says Nigeria’s development
\nwill remain stunted without strong institutions that will promote the
\ndevolution of power.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike made the assertion at an event to mark Nigeria’s 60th
\nIndependence Day celebration at Government House, Port Harcourt.<\/p>\n
He said it was time for Nigerians to confront core political and
\neconomic issues that hamper sustained growth.<\/p>\n
According to him, to put Nigeria on the path of progressive growth, the
\nrule of law, a fraud-proof electoral system, effective neutrality of law
\nenforcement agencies, and the independence of the judiciary should be
\nput in place.<\/p>\n
“We may gloat in the limited progress that we have made since
\nindependence. It is true that we have achieved relative expansion in
\naccess to education,\u00a0 healthcare, and the socio-economic infrastructure.<\/p>\n
“But if we fail to give considerations to the serious challenges
\npreventing us, we cannot build a free, fair, and just nation that will
\ncommand the total loyalty of all nationalities.<\/p>\n
“Let us, therefore, resolve to take the right step to institutionalise
\nthe necessary constitutional and political systems that will enable us
\nto build a free, sovereign democratic and functional nation”, he stated.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike noted that at independence,\u00a0 there was an effective
\ndemocracy,\u00a0 regional autonomy, and fiscal federalism.<\/p>\n
Those principles,\u00a0 he said, guided the political,\u00a0 social, and economic
\nrelations between the central government and the regional constitutional
\nregions until they were frustrated.<\/p>\n
“Our founding fathers envisioned to build our nation with due regards to
\nour diversities and with visionary enthusiasm.\u00a0 They provided basic
\nbuilding blocks for sustaining a united,\u00a0 peaceful, and prosperous
\nNigeria with a functional constitution document.<\/p>\n
“No one part or region was deliberately denied against what was due to
\nit. No ethnic nationality was politically and economically favoured
\nunduly above all others by the central government.<\/p>\n
“Under this arrangement, Nigeria thrived on a peaceful and progressive
\npath.\u00a0 Unfortunately,\u00a0 the fundamental principles of negotiated
\nconstitutional regional autonomy and federal government were blatantly
\njettisoned,” he said.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike restated that Rivers state would continue to promote the
\nunity of the country and ensure the peaceful coexistence of all
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
According to him,\u00a0 efforts will be sustained in improving the standard
\nof living,\u00a0 expand healthcare delivery, and pursue accelerated economic
\ngrowth.<\/p>\n
” There is an unprecedented investment in the provision of
\nsocio-economic infrastructure across the state.<\/p>\n
” We are constructing roads,\u00a0 flyovers,\u00a0 jetties,\u00a0 markets, and
\nexpanding healthcare and education facilities throughout the state
\nincluding the rural areas. This is to accelerate economic growth and
\nmake life more meaningful for our people.<\/p>\n
“We have spared no effort in advancing and achieving security. Rivers
\nstate is now reckoned as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria with
\nmuch-improved business environment that is attracting investors.
\nClearly,\u00a0 we have a bright future”, he emphasised.<\/p>\n
The Governor also commended the military for their efforts in curbing
\nbanditry, and all forms of insurgency to defend the sovereignty of the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
Earlier,\u00a0 Governor Wike had inspected the parade mounted by the Nigeria
\nPolice at the brief ceremony that also featured the release of Peace
\nPigeons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says Nigeria’s development will remain stunted without strong institutions that will promote the devolution of power. Governor Wike made the assertion at an event…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":76026,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n