Civil Society groups across the South-South geo-political zone of the country, has urged Nigerian leaders to borrow from the development model being implemented by Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
This followed a presentation by a group, Civil Society Agenda for NEW Rivers, at a conference for Civil Society and media practioners in Calabar, Cross River State recently.
The presentation by the Port Harcourt based, Civil Society Agenda for NEW Rivers, titled, ‘ A MODEL THAT WORKS: WIKE’S INFRASTRUCTURAL REVOLUTION IN RIVERS,” was well received by participants at the conference and recommended as a new paradigm for leaders in government.
In his presentation the Coordinator of Civil Society Agenda for NEW Rivers, Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, disclosed that the Wike administration has put to an end the malady of abandoned projects in the State.
According to Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, “Prior to the ascension of Gov. Wike, Rivers State was dotted with various abandoned and white elephant projects. But on taking over, the Rivers State governor ensured the speedy completion of viable projects abandoned by the previous administration. Prominent among these are Trans Amadi Road with Bridge and Woji-Elelenwo Road with bridge, Akpajo-Woji-Okuru by pass with bridge’.
Continuing, the Civil Society Agenda for NEW Rivers said, “It will interest you to note that our findings reveal that all road and other infrastructural projects embarked upon by the Wike administration have been started and completed within a stipulated time, thereby saving the State huge sums in cost overruns and other loses that accrue from project abandonment. By ensuring hands on project management and supervision, and ensuring that each project comes with an expected completion date, projects are delivered on time and not abandoned”.
Speaking further, the group said, “one thing that may interest you about the Wike development and management style is the premium it places on bringing back to life abandoned and dilapidated government buildings and properties. This is evidenced in the fantastic renovation works done at Waterlines House, now PG Warmate House, former Produce House, now Aguma House and office blocks near Boro Park in Port Harcourt. The quality of job done in these projects should be recommended to other States and federal governments, as a model for revamping thousands of abandoned and dilapidated government properties nationwide”.
In concluding, the Civil Society Agenda for NEW Rivers charged participants at the conference to ensure that the Wike model becomes the leading leadership paradigm as a panacea to project completion and purposeful governance nationwide.
