Like the last three government before it, the present
governor of Anambra state in the person of willie obiano has been very busy –
doing absolutely nothing for the improvement of the state. A state with hard
working men and women driven by desire and passion to excel in their fields of
endeavor. An Anambra based journalist once said that “the present governor is
sitting on gold chair and foundation casted by his predecessor enjoying state
funds on frivolities.” I have to agree by that assertion and even more.
Anambra state has in the past been known as a state
commercially poised to be the best in sub-Saharan Africa. With this great feat
comes a challenge that needs to be tackled so the status quo can remain. Such challenge
comes in the form of security lapses, bad or non existing basic
infrastructures, social vices, hooliganism and cultism among others. The
present government is saddled with the responsibility of seeing to perfection,
the opposite of these challenges; but reverse is the case.
So much noise and
hype has been made in the media about improvement in securing the lives and
properties of people living in the state. I throw out a challenge to anyone who
is willing though, to oppose me with facts, that in terms of security, positive
change has been achieved.
Cultism and cult related killings are on the rise in
the state. Just the other day, three able bodied young men were gunned down at
the Obosi-Nkpor axis of the state by cultists; even more and heinous killings
have occurred. To nip such ugly development in the bud, the authorities need to
re-orientate the youths on the ills of cultism. Also, secret agents should be
drafted into those Red areas to furnish the appropriate authorities with
detailed information – as they unfold.
The issue of Agriculture in the state is moribund, as no
vital agricultural policy has been initiated by the present government since
inception into office. The man at the helms of affairs takes pleasure in media
propaganda and public deception. We were all aware of the recent hype and
falsehood being peddled in the media about the state exporting vegetables to
foreign countries and earning forex for the nation; and the mass production of
rice. The government thrives in such propaganda.
Until the Willie Obiano led
government begins to focus on revitalizing the Agricultural sector through
policy reforms and provision of Agricultural grants, we will continue to see
food – just on the pages on newspapers and televisions. I implore Obiano to go
learn such from his northern counterparts.
There has been varying degrees of protest in the state on
reforms targeted at destabilizing the livelihoods of its citizens. Recently,
the fruits and vegetables traders at Upper Iweka in Onitsha has been in the
news protesting of the ill treatments meted to them by the government. Their nightmare
started when the government, in the name of cleaning the state, relocated the
market and chased the traders to a new site at Atani in Ogbaru Local government
area of the state, without putting in place, structures to house the traders.
On a visit to the new site of the market by our correspondent, nothing could be
seen on ground in terms of development. No physical structure is on ground,
except for the fence and gate put in place by the local government authorities
and the market executive.
The issue of multiple and over taxation as being witnessed in
this regime is well enough to make any true business entity seek for relief
elsewhere. During the first quarter of the year, there was a stern warning by Banks
and other financial institutions operating in the state to the government,
threatening to go on strike if it does not rescind its policy geared at
extorting huge sums from them – all in the name of tax. The poor traders in the
state are feeling the heat the most, as they must comply with the wicked directive;
else, their daily source of feeding and livelihood will be shut down. From Eke
Awka to Oye Nimo, from Ose to Akuora, the story remains the same; people are
compelled to fund the lavish lifestyle of the chief executive. Pure water
hawkers, okada men, barrow pushers, artisans all inclusive in this excessive
show of shame by the government. I urge those in charge of policy making to
take into consideration, the plight of the common man. These people should be
considered first; not just during elections and electioneering period. Willie Obiano is indeed a square peg in a round hole.
Mr Obiano should get his acts together and strive to make the
state great. He should surround himself with intellects and not the vultures hovering
around him, to scavenge on the commonwealth of the state.
(Okwuchukwu Valentine writes from Awka, Anambra State)
