Delta: Setting the stage for a renaissance

Since 1999 when the military handed over power to herald the fourth republic, the thinking amongst citizens is that democracy will hasten the delivery of citizens’ aspiration and priorities because of its associated averred doctrine that rest sovereignty on the citizens. But this was not to be as politicians brought in their own stock in […]

Since 1999 when the military handed over power to herald the fourth republic, the thinking amongst citizens is that democracy will hasten the delivery of citizens’ aspiration and priorities because of its associated averred doctrine that rest sovereignty on the citizens. But this was not to be as politicians brought in their own stock in trade and introduced some clandestine scheme into the processes of election that undermined with inadvertence and impunity democratic doctrines. Hijack of sovereignty from the electorates became evident and this brought great measure of distrust and dis-interest into the entire process with transparency and accountability heavily compromised. Political office holders play god, they bother less about accountability to the electorates and use collective wealth for self and by it dwindles the fortune of the state with political and socio-economic progress made to suffer.  All of these have bred anger and a heightened acrimony in the land. There is consensus amongst citizens that change is inevitable and they are ready to push for it in any way possible.  This resolution spotlights one thing, the need for radical change in the polity and politics of the Delta. The building of clusters of change across the state with proper organisation within its rank therefore becomes an essential element to give impetus to a rebirth process which right now has become a critical element in overturning the orgy stable in the oil rich state of the Delta.

The palpable anger among citizens in the Delta is understood. The level of lack and want in the midst of plenty is mind boggling. Delta State ranks as the third richest state in Nigeria. Its riches and wealth notwithstanding, tangibility of development has remained a farce. Workers salaries in the state are heavily taxed and the tax regime in the state is arguably at variance with statutorily stipulations of the joint tax board. Even at this, while many states of the Niger Delta have clear projects to show what citizens tax are used for, Delta State do not have one thing to point to. As the state warms up for the hosting of the BRACED SUMMIT, a whooping N7.4billion was released to bring down the hills around the uncompleted Asaba Airport. We are still in search of where the hills are located in a state that is known to have flat topography.  However, while Uyo International Airport was built at a cost of N15billion Naira, the budgeted amount for the Asaba Airport is N17.5billion. While the initiative of the Asaba Airport is applauded, the over N15billion that has gone into the construction so far, questions the government’s skill in resource allocation and distribution. The security challenge is alarming. People are kidnapped on a daily basis; some roads in the state are dreaded because of the menace of armed bandits. In the educational sector, teachers and non-academic staff are disgruntled because of the non implementation of the approved minimum wage and other forms of entitlement. These certainly are not good tales to tell for a state that has peace and security as one of its cardinal agenda, and for a state that is so endowed with abundant resources and by that benefit from derivation proceeds. A state that is supposed to be envied is now being pitied and is steadily struggling not to “carry last”. A cliché which the Governor himself has now come to terms with, as he chronicled it in one of his speeches at Eagle Square Abuja during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, saying “Delta no dey carry last”.  What an oxymoron! This is unsavoury and must be resisted as number one cannot suddenly degenerate to a back bencher within the Nigeria Federation. For the utterance to come from the chief executive of the state, shows nothing other than capitulation and want of knowhow perhaps to turn things for the betterment of the state.

A renaissance therefore is a must. But as we match on with a new message of change and hope for the emancipation of our dear state, we must not restrict the struggle to end at the level of activism but go with the same zeal and vigour and mobilize ourselves and engage the process of mandate protection during the elections. Deltans must also not be carried away with the concept of zoning. Zoning compromises merit and as such, every one Deltan must organise and insist on the best.  Delta Rescue Mission (DRM), a socio-political pressure group in the Delta is blazing the trail already in catalyzing the process of change. All those desirous of this good change certainly now have a platform they can synergize with to up the strategies for the rescue of our dear state. This indeed is a movement. The wind of emancipation is blowing, and everyone must mobilize himself or herself, his brothers and sisters and come onboard this destiny moulding train. The reasons for this collective action are common place. We cannot continue with the business as usual attitude and remain in agony, the time for action to genuinely rescue our state from the clutches of unpatriotic element is now. Join the rescue team and together we would build a new Delta State.

Osasah wrote from 4, Lawan Gwadabe Crescent, Apo Abuja