Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has admonished people of the state to prevent the state from returning to the period of criminality and other social vices by voting the wrong sets of people with a veiled attack on the People’s Democratic Party candidates in the state.
Amaechi made the appeal during his New Year broadcast to the people of the state, enjoining them to make good use of the 2015 general elections and vote wisely.
He said: “We must agree that in 2015, the year of change, we would not either by acts of omission or commission allow our state return to the dark inglorious years when we were a pariah and the fault lines of criminality and militancy in our region. Never again shall we go back to violence, armed gangs and destruction of our assets.
“Never again will our children become cannon fodder for a greedy and self-serving few whose consciences have been seared with iron. Never again will we allow our laughter ring hollow because of the pain of a prostrate economy. We must join hand to guarantee the future of our present and future generations.
“The right to vote and be voted for, and above all, the right to enthrone peaceful change with our votes and bring about those things is what we have been clamouring for. 2015 is important for us as a people determined to take our destiny in our own hands through the choices we may make.
“We are aware that the actual change of baton is still a little far off, though political activities are already in full gear and elections round the corner. Our administration is, however, mindful of the tasks still ahead. The need to remain focused in the remaining months and finish strong by delivering in the various sectors, projects and programmes for which this administration has been commended within and outside the state.
“This administration will not only pursue these projects and programmes but would document them properly for handover. It is important to note, that we have pursued a part of transparency with audited accounts and open transactions for all to see.
“The state governor, while giving a scorecard of his leadership, said the government had maintained a transparent administration based on accountability, working within the limited resources.
“We have remained focused on our vision to build a new economy anchored on infrastructure, agriculture, human capital and information/communication technology (ICT) toward a knowledge-driven economy. We have always made it clear that we pursue a policy of delivering a developed state in which the people have access to quality education, affordable healthcare and good infrastructure. In doing this, we promised to rescue our state and the state capital from armed groups and bring back the businesses that had fled our shores.
“This administration came into power with fear and trembling for what God can do. That fear is still real in us even as we prepare to hand over.”
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