Introduction
One will rightly wonder if the title is appropriate in the current political climate. Such question will only emerge where issues are blindly followed without critical and empirical analyses. In addition the ever liquid media platform that allocates cheap gravitas to sound bits have succeeded in confusing many citizens of the state on strategic issues or poverty of policy implementation. Especially the special species abroad. The purpose of this article is to navigate the rough waters of gap between observed and expected in the government or rather regime of Mr. Rochas Okorocha.
One will rightly wonder if the title is appropriate in the current political climate. Such question will only emerge where issues are blindly followed without critical and empirical analyses. In addition the ever liquid media platform that allocates cheap gravitas to sound bits have succeeded in confusing many citizens of the state on strategic issues or poverty of policy implementation. Especially the special species abroad. The purpose of this article is to navigate the rough waters of gap between observed and expected in the government or rather regime of Mr. Rochas Okorocha.
Information
Historical information is essential toward understanding the lot of Imo State including anecdotal highlights. 2 years ago, Imo State was on the brink of political explosion where the erstwhile incumbent could no longer handle the ship of state. Aptly Imo State started tottering like an emergency patient. It is on the back of that collective experience that majority of the people voted for an alternative of course with feeble questions on the person of the incumbent governor.
I am equally aware that our 'imposed' political culture is raw, unrefined and undignifying. Mr. Rochas Okorocha naturally made the 'mother of all promises' including but not limited to 'building bridges were river do not exist'. He was taken at his word by many within default demographical and geographical parameters. Bear in mind of the anecdote that Imo State has the most educated/knowledgeable population. Maybe it will be handy!
Historical information is essential toward understanding the lot of Imo State including anecdotal highlights. 2 years ago, Imo State was on the brink of political explosion where the erstwhile incumbent could no longer handle the ship of state. Aptly Imo State started tottering like an emergency patient. It is on the back of that collective experience that majority of the people voted for an alternative of course with feeble questions on the person of the incumbent governor.
I am equally aware that our 'imposed' political culture is raw, unrefined and undignifying. Mr. Rochas Okorocha naturally made the 'mother of all promises' including but not limited to 'building bridges were river do not exist'. He was taken at his word by many within default demographical and geographical parameters. Bear in mind of the anecdote that Imo State has the most educated/knowledgeable population. Maybe it will be handy!
For most citizens the highest priority in the land are summarised in 3 points; insecurity, poor economy and social justice. There is no suggestion that the current regime will overcome even 40% of inherited problem rather will make robust effort to put Imo State back on the road to holistic recovery with a legacy for future administrations to follow.
Bull in China Shop
The first of confusion emerged with a statement credited to the governor that he's in a hurry. Even cattle rearers have not found the luxury to manage their beast as they please. Despite the confidence and patience of the electorate, the governor apparently confirmed initial concerns in some quarters that he lacked coherent plan or governing strategy. Rather he is deemed the front-face of the urban, privileged and powerful who pay lip service to the need of majority. In the dearth of transparent policies, he has resorted to 'one week, one policy' methodology as a means of governing.
The first of confusion emerged with a statement credited to the governor that he's in a hurry. Even cattle rearers have not found the luxury to manage their beast as they please. Despite the confidence and patience of the electorate, the governor apparently confirmed initial concerns in some quarters that he lacked coherent plan or governing strategy. Rather he is deemed the front-face of the urban, privileged and powerful who pay lip service to the need of majority. In the dearth of transparent policies, he has resorted to 'one week, one policy' methodology as a means of governing.
On insecurity, perception of crime and fear continues unabated without credible strategies to mitigate the situation. Kidnapping, stealing, corruption and defiance of the rule of law continues without obstruction turning the state into a space for fiends. No serious policy document has been released or any consultation paper emerged from either the executive or legislative arm. In effect the population is ruled from anywhere than through clear structured linkage to the state. His contributions to debates on state police and terrorism in the North are at best unconstructive and unproductive.
The economy continues to suffer despite all the comparative advantages including available labour, abundance of skilled manpower, diverse regional opportunities, proximity to commercial hubs of Aba, Ontisha and Port-Harcourt. Sadly state data on economic performance is absent. No serious analyst expects the state to provide all jobs rather hope it creates conducive atmosphere for investment and economic development. His first action in office was sacking 10,000 civil servants employed by his predecessor. These 10,000 men and women were violently pushed back into unemployment gallows. Something out of the colonial imperialist rule book!
Verbal-only Policy
There is no credible policy or structure for enhancing private sector investment to take advantage of huge labour market. On the contrary most attention is focused on public building construction which is temporary and unsustainable. Evidence is emerging that many of constructed roads are sub-standard, contractors are owed and some of the road contracts are over-estimated. It is alleged that some road cost N60 million per kilometre.
In the absence of credible economic plan, out-of-state migration will continue unchecked meaning that other states and countries benefit from our investments. Ignorance of the potentials for gradual development of Knowledge-based economy considering huge number of post-secondary school graduates each year for a state acknowledged as hub of education production is instructive.
In the absence of credible economic plan, out-of-state migration will continue unchecked meaning that other states and countries benefit from our investments. Ignorance of the potentials for gradual development of Knowledge-based economy considering huge number of post-secondary school graduates each year for a state acknowledged as hub of education production is instructive.
Extra-urban areas remain stunted in development due to historical (abysmal) performance of local government authorities. Instead of skillfully engaging the incumbent LG Chairpersons for new brand of people-oriented governance, the governor felts that the strategic interest of Imo State was best served by shortsightedly sacking them which was illegal ab initio. By so doing he shot himself on the foot and cost the state scarce resources. Political myopics 101!
LGs are natural poles of economic growth and economic development more so for a people who claim superiority of learning and knowledge, instead are now centres of crass malfeasance and corruption. Another testament to his allergy to due process is the now abandoned relocation of Imo State University to his hometown. I do not find serious issue with it so far it is backed by law and full investment is laid for reputable research institution not glorified secondary for Jurassic Park town council. Sadly there were no enabling laws and clear investment plan. Hollowness of the plan is confirmed in its costly abandonment and reversal.
LGs are natural poles of economic growth and economic development more so for a people who claim superiority of learning and knowledge, instead are now centres of crass malfeasance and corruption. Another testament to his allergy to due process is the now abandoned relocation of Imo State University to his hometown. I do not find serious issue with it so far it is backed by law and full investment is laid for reputable research institution not glorified secondary for Jurassic Park town council. Sadly there were no enabling laws and clear investment plan. Hollowness of the plan is confirmed in its costly abandonment and reversal.
Dark Ages
Our state remains a space of social injustice on many levels which stems in part from abuse of law, abuse of privilege, distortion of due process and inter-generational politico-cultural transition. The spatial dimension is vividly rendered in the continued attention to the few neo-urban centres of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe in the allocation of state resources and direction of investments.
It is apparent that beyond the boundaries of these three locations, values, potential and importance zero in on residential functions. They are referred to as 'rural' hence require 'rural development'. The resident citizens are in effect second class citizens and second fiddle in contradiction of the fact that development in about man/woman in his/her full unique circumstance and consciousness regardless of location.
The latest attempt at challenging this contradiction in the new 4th Tier Law is early to refute/confirm. Nevertheless confirming gratuity, approving pension, obtaining spouse deed of death, obtaining certificate of occupancy and many more public service cannot be certified without paying illegal fees alias bribe. The poor are most hit as they have no one to plead their cause. So what is happening in Imo State under the current regime is more of the same.
It is apparent that beyond the boundaries of these three locations, values, potential and importance zero in on residential functions. They are referred to as 'rural' hence require 'rural development'. The resident citizens are in effect second class citizens and second fiddle in contradiction of the fact that development in about man/woman in his/her full unique circumstance and consciousness regardless of location.
The latest attempt at challenging this contradiction in the new 4th Tier Law is early to refute/confirm. Nevertheless confirming gratuity, approving pension, obtaining spouse deed of death, obtaining certificate of occupancy and many more public service cannot be certified without paying illegal fees alias bribe. The poor are most hit as they have no one to plead their cause. So what is happening in Imo State under the current regime is more of the same.
Conclusion
It is clear that Mr. Rochas Okorocha lack the calibre, pedigree, motivation and dedication to positively rule Imo State. Many pundits retort that his intention is noble forgetting that positive intentions are forged on empirical evidence. His political philosophy is crystallised in simple seduction of the electorate through the media to buy time for further accumulation with little substance to show for it.
Realistic investment in the citizens through robust public services in the economy, education, health, security and civil service is absent. In its place is incoherent and disorganised framework of patchy soundbits, unsound policy development, shallow rooted implementations and opaque disposition to due process. This is the hallmark of confusion which the state doesn't deserve or desire. There is opportunity for him to redress this situation in the remain years in office.
It is clear that Mr. Rochas Okorocha lack the calibre, pedigree, motivation and dedication to positively rule Imo State. Many pundits retort that his intention is noble forgetting that positive intentions are forged on empirical evidence. His political philosophy is crystallised in simple seduction of the electorate through the media to buy time for further accumulation with little substance to show for it.
Realistic investment in the citizens through robust public services in the economy, education, health, security and civil service is absent. In its place is incoherent and disorganised framework of patchy soundbits, unsound policy development, shallow rooted implementations and opaque disposition to due process. This is the hallmark of confusion which the state doesn't deserve or desire. There is opportunity for him to redress this situation in the remain years in office.
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