ELECTORAL REFORMS: Electoral bodies should be non-partisan - Don

Undue interference and imposition of candidates by those in authority during elections have been described as having negative impact on the electoral process and hindering the growth of democracy in the country.  

This was the position of the Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology (RIVCOHSTECH), Dr Nnanna Vincent Onyekwere, while speaking with newsmen shortly after elections were held into positions in the executive of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution in Port Harcourt.  

Dr Onyekwere decried the imposition of candidates by those in authority, saying such actions create unnecessary problems in the polity and urged election officials to be forthright and resist the temptation to favour one candidate above others.

Expressing optimism that elections can be free and fair where there is no interference by the electoral bodies, he noted that for elections to be conducted in an atmosphere of peace the umpires have to be non-partisan.

“The electorates are the most important people in an election…they should be carried along in the process,” the academic don stated and called on the management of tertiary institutions to “stand on the truth because that is what will take away all the tension”.

At the end of the elections, Godswell Binyen, a 200 level student of Environmental Health Technology emerged President polling 399 votes ahead of Goodnews Opurum, 200 level, Health Information Management, and Chukwundah Mac-Charlie, 200 level, Community Health, who polled 326 and 281 votes respectively in the voting process adjudged by many students as free, fair and transparent.

Also elected into the executive are Uwitetu Faith Ozuzu (Vice President), Kingsley Amadi (General Secretary), Chujor Juliet Owate (Assistant General Secretary), Akani Ikechukwu (Financial Secretary), Boma Strongface John (Treasurer), Richard Amadi (Director of Welfare), Minini Romeo (Public Relations Officer), Chivueze Echem (Director of Transport), Emughibula Bennett (Director of Sports), Owoh Dickson Owoh (Director of Socials) and Mbuchi Nwuche (Provost).   

NEPAD PLEDGES INCREASED FOOD PRODUCTIVITY IN RIVERS STATE

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has expressed its commitment to increase food productivity by revitalizing the agricultural sector in Rivers State.

SA to the Governor and State Coordinator of NEPAD, Dr Tex Wariboko, who stated this in a chat with newsmen, said NEPAD is working on involving all sectors of society in farming with a view to implementing its agricultural action plan by engaging necessary skills and expertise in food production. 

Dr Wariboko explained that to bridge the unemployment gap youths would be encouraged to engage in agriculture and stressed the need to train a new generation of farmers by teaching young people new methods and ways of farming thus creating viable means of generating revenue.

The NEPAD Coordinator said the body is currently working on its action plans in Infrastructural Development, Capacity Building for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Agriculture, Education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and creating partnerships and synergies to involve all sectors of society in raising the living standards of the people.

He disclosed that NEPAD is also dealing with climate change and pollution as captured in its environmental action plan, stressing that the effects of climate change is impacting negatively on the agricultural sector.

Calling on the Federal Government to address the negative impact of oil exploration in the Niger Delta region, Dr Wariboko said “because we earn for the whole country and because we bear the brunt of the consequences of oil exploration, the Federal Government needs to pay special attention to the region,” and “provide incentives to discourage the ex-militants from returning to the creeks”. 

He revealed that NEPAD will establish integrated farms in the 3 senatorial districts of the State and engage about 15,000 youths in agriculture, adding that his agency is partnering with the State Social Rehabilitation Committee to reintegrate and rehabilitate the ex-militants. 

“NEPAD’s agenda,” he said “is the grassroots,” and disclosed that the body aims to avert political interference by involving all stakeholders in its programmes.

He enjoined the citizens to stand up for their rights and insist on the kind of leadership they desire by casting and ensuring their votes count in the 2011 elections, urging the Federal Government to urgently review the electoral laws to ensure credible elections in 2011.

FG SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR N’DELTA DEV - AZAIKI

The Federal Government has been urged to take responsibility for the development of the Niger Delta region by refunding funds spent on infrastructure in the area.

Former Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government and Coordinator of the National Think-Tank, Professor Steve Azaiki, stated this when he accompanied the Rivers State Deputy Governor on an inspection of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road projects yesterday.

Expressing delight on the pace of work on the project, Prof. Azaiki, who is also a Visiting Fellow of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt, said “The Federal Government should take responsibility for the development of the Niger Delta region and refund the monies spent on road projects in the area.”

Commending the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, for the development initiatives ongoing in the State, Prof. Azaiki, who is also the country President of the World Environmental Movement for Africa (WEMFA), Nigeria, urged the people of the State to support the present administration in its efforts at bringing the dividends of democracy to the people.

“I want to commend the Rivers State Governor and his deputy for the development initiatives they have embarked upon. Projects of this nature answer the question of the development of the Niger Delta region and what the governors in the region are doing with the allocation given to them” he said and urged the government to ensure development spreads to the rural areas.

 

Responding, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, reiterated the State Government’s determination deliver on its promises and uplift the living standards of the people by completing the project.

Impressed by the present state of the project in which the Ebukuma Bridge on the Andoni axis is almost completed while the Opobo axis is within the precincts of Kalaibiama community, the State Deputy Governor explained that despite challenges faced by the construction firm, Rivigo JV Nigeria Limited, the road will soon begin to serve the needs of the Andoni and Opobo communities.

Speaking, the site manager, Mr. Leyira Kamanu, assured on the quality of the project, saying “the job is being done according to specifications and the bridges are expected to have a life span of 100 years,” adding that the road spanning 37 kilometers and covering 17 communities is expected to be completed on or before 2011.