By sir stanley achonu 08106073623 sachonu@yahoo.com
Besides getting news from print and electronic media, or verbal discussion of current affairs, Imolites do not have much contribution in their own governance. It is a disheartening ballgame that under a democratic structure, the people do not have any contribution to the policies and programs that affect everything about them. The Imo state definition of democracy is a wheel of fortune for the privileged, who, by hook or crook, find themselves elected agents. Having elected agents is a given in any democratic structure but whose interest they represent is another point in question. One will assume, unequivocally, that these agents or representatives do represent the interest of the populace, however, this assumption will be a bounced check if taken to the bank. Albeit these representatives have our mandate, sometimes mandate by force, rigging and imposition, to represent us, do they really feel affected or moved by our interest? My modest answer is NO, period. They only pretend to represent us because the system pays them as they loot our treasury.
For the context of this essay, our representatives or elected agents are not limited to only those who have the voters’ mandate. It is used in a broader light to include appointees of those who have the mandate. I am talking about those who are in the capacity of formulating government policies, those who exercise authority and control of government policies, those who manage and conduct functionality of government policies. Precisely, my range of view is Imo state government, past and present, their style of governance and how to restore the long lost confidence of the masses in governance. Comparative analysis of our governance system with what is obtainable in civilized nations of the world always comes like apple and orange. A lot of people are of the opinion that it is not a fair comparison to place our nation side by side with developed and advanced countries like Britain and United States of America when talking about governance. My concern with such opinion is that without using the right standard of reference, we will not grow beyond our state of retrogression. Those nations practice representative democracy like us and since they are doing it right, our goal should be to do it the right way too.
The only thing that has remained consistent with Imo state government is their inconsistency. Inconsistency has been the foremost attribute of governance in our state. My precise articulation dwells on the fact that what the government says, in most cases, is different from what the government does. This exhaled level of inconsistency by our government has created and will continue to create trust gap between the government and Imolites. It has been a common practice by the government to say things and make promises that make them look good in front of the masses when they know they are empty promises. There is no need, other than draw reference points, to revisit the inconsistencies of past administrations of Imo state, therefore, let me put my scope on the Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s administration. His Excellency promised that his administration will not touch Local Government’s funds during his campaign and early days in office. Imolites have not felt the probity of democratically elected and independent third tier of governance under his administration.
The Local Government Administration and fund have remained under the indirect control of state government since the inception of his tenure. I think the government had good intention of solving some problems by dissolving the elected Local Government administration in 2011 but they ended up creating more problems. I can buy the argument that this administration has been in rollercoaster of challenges in court, nevertheless, the dust has settled. I am not a legal professional and will not digress to the legal intricacies of the dissolved Local Government Chairmen but for the sake of the masses, let the involved parties extend compromising spirit. Imolites are patiently waiting for the state government to give the administration and management of the Local Government Areas back to the people. Recently, there is a schedule for the Community Government election for March. This is another wonderful and welcomed development that will raise a million whys in the political conscience of Imolites. Let me reduce these whys to the mother of all whys; if the state government is comfortable enough to conduct a CGC election, why are they not in same comfort degree to institute properly elected and independent LGA administrators? Probably, time will continue to be out element of hope.
Another factor that has created mistrust in the masses is the lack of continuity in government programs and projects. This governance style of abandoning projects and programs of preceding government to create new ones is a common stake in Imo state. This continues to be an unwelcomed practice, especially, when the abandoned projects and programs are positive and effective. Conventionally, governments continue or adjust their policies and programs based on already existing ones. Change is, for sure, an inevitable phenomenon but the reason for change and the direction of change in Imo state gives one a challenging task of providing a logical rationale for change. The Americans say, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’. In other words, you do not go on fixing things and systems that work, talk less of changing them. Clean and Green program introduced by Ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim was a success. Sadly, Clean and Green died at the inception of Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s administration. Looking at the filthy nature of the state capital Imolites have come to prefer the Clean and Green program to whatever replaced it.
The colossal waste of human and material resources on these abandoned projects and programs is mind bugging. These resources should be channeled to building new projects while reviving and improving standing ones. This practice has set us backwards rather than forward and if anything should change, it is this moribund practice abandoned projects. Imo government should be non-partisan when setting up these projects and programs. In that way, when there is a change in government it will not call for change or abandonment of ongoing structures and system. When governments initiate projects and programs on party affiliation and interest, same programs and projects will be replaced by another government with a different interest and loyalist. This is another indication that the masses interest is not a consideration for the government and her agencies. I applaud the Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s administration for erecting school buildings in every ward and building hospitals in every Local Government Area of the state. Would it not be wasteful if a new administration emerges in 2015 and abandon these infrastructures and start building new ones? Some government projects and programs may require more than eight years, two term tenure of governors, to complete. Our practice has shown we are losing much, an indication that we are not ripe for such long term projects and programs which form the bedrock of most economically advanced states and nations.
Election and appointment of incompetent agents is another antecedent of Imolites mistrust on government programs and projects. I have over flogged the issue of mediocrity in my previous articles. I have presented, endlessly, the ploys of politicians who impose themselves on the masses by rigging. I have challenged, continuously, the political hijackers who have shifted our democracy from representational system to highest bidder system. We have become stagnant in our bid for socio-economic advancement because we have incompetent representatives. Some of our incompetent elected agents keep putting round pegs in square holes because they do not know any better. They lack leadership qualities and the rubbing effect of their ineptitude to Imolites is poor governance with no vision. Good governance and good leadership are built on sound initiative, felicitous judgment, propitious management, reassuring resolutions and timely application of positive principles to maximize the output of our scarce resources. When those at the helm of affairs are clueless of their leadership role, it trickles down the drain and produces ripple effects in the entire system. Inherently, our poor standard of education, high rate of unemployment, poor healthcare structure, poor economic growth are series of consequences precipitated by incompetent leadership. I, truly, do not expect much from such maladroit politicians because they cannot offer what they do not have to the table of governance.
Inability of the government to carry Imolites along in their governance is another element that builds mistrust of government by the citizens. Government policies are formulated and carried out in advanced nations based on people’s opinion. The government’s priorities in these nations are people-oriented policies and projects which improve the masses standard of living. In United States of America, for instance, the healthcare industry was hijacked and hiked by pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies and hospitals at the expense of the masses and government. Unaffordable healthcare became the effect of their business practice. President Barack Obama took the bull by the horn and created the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act commonly called Affordable Care Act and nicknamed Obamacare. This did not go well with all Americans but for most part, it proffered solution to the American’s problem of unaffordable healthcare. Reserving my assessment and comments on Imo state educational standard and system of deliverance, provision of free education is one area the present administration of Imo state has excelled in people-oriented governance. The pace has been set and if the mettle of continuity and improved governance comes alive, free and standard education will remain a right and not a privilege to Imolites.
Lack of accountability and transparency in governance remains a sting of mistrust to Imolites on government’s operations. Transparency is the building block of good governance and a basic tool of curbing corruption. Transparent governance has been proved to increase people’s interest, trust and participation in the government’s stakes. Objectively, accountability contends that our elected leaders must inform us about the all activities and operations of the government. An effective surveillance of our government’s operations will open doors of scrutiny to the immoral efficacy of some of our elected and appointed agents. Government contracts are given under the tables without following due process. Sir Jude Agbaso’s accusation which caused him his position as the Deputy Governor of Imo state is a classic example of the dangers of opaque governance model. I am neither speaking for nor against Sir Jude Agbaso as it relates to the allegations made against him. My reference to Sir Agbaso’s case is to raise the point of no transparency in government contracts.
Conclusively, so many factors have created public mistrust and lack of confidence in the governance of our beloved Imo state. Bridging the gap between the government and Imolites is as important as the existence of Imo state. Our government has erred in execution of productive governance, transparent governance and standard of practice. It is a given that we must have government structure to pilot the state’s affairs, however, Imolites deserve better. Doing better will eventually get us to the best. Britain and United States of America we cite as positive references when making comparative studies of our governance are governed and lead by humans like us. The outstanding difference between them and Nigerian/Imo state leaders is that while the British and American leaders are thinking about ways to give selfless services to their nation, our leaders are thinking about ways to selfishly take from our nation. We need honest and competent leaders now, more than ever. The government has failed Imolites in some of her policies, programs and projects. Positive change gives life to positive things and death to negative things. It is never too late to change and follow the right cause. Let the government and masses work together in great confidence to promote a better Imo state. Imo must be better, not only in song lyrics but in action.
