By Mandy Tina
Former commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning Rivers State, Dr. Reason Onya, has expressed optimism that after distraction arising from the legal battle and political crisis being faced by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers people will experience dividends of democracy.
Onya, who reacted to the political situation in the state, said Ahoada West Local Government Area remains save haven for the administration of Siminalayi Fubara irrespective of the current political issues.
The former commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning who is a political economist and developmentalist, said the policies of the current administration have direct impact on the development of the state.
He noted that what the governor needs at the moment is support, adding that when such support is given, development will strive in the state.
“From my professional point of view as a political scientist and in particular one that majors in Political Economy and Development Studies.
“Governor Siminalayi is doing extremely well in cognizance of the policies he is carrying out, continuation of the policies of the previous administration that are impacting on the political economy of the state and initiative of his own policies are perfectly ok.
“My concern basically as a political economist and developmentalist is Iook at the policies that are impacting on the political economy and development of the state to the good of Rivers people and the electorate.
“It is just that there is a little distraction on governance because of the matter in court. Like you know, there is no sovereign or sitting democratic head of government that will feel comfortable when he has matters going on in the court. When the matter is over I think Rivers people should expect more developmental projects coming into the state.
“In fairness, Ahoada West happens to be a safe haven for the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. That is the first local government that declared open support for him and ninety percent of it’s stakeholders were for Sim. If you translate into electioneering victory it still tells you that he will have ninety percent of votes if election is to be conducted in Ahoada West for him.
“So in terms of the support coming from Ahoada West is massive, extremely colossal support from leaders of the LGA. All the former Assembly members exception of one, commissioners right from the days of Governor Odilli and Ameachi till date are with him.
“The party structure majority are with him. Ahoada West is a safe haven for him and we will continue to give him the massive support that is required. I in person will go all out applying all the political mechanism to ensure his victory will always be guaranteed in Ahoada West LGA, we support his government.
“Politics is local, from the local perspective starts from the unit, to the ward, to the LGA. For me he has the support of my unit, ward and LGA and more will even be done to ensure if that happens, such support will be given to him”.
Onya however advised Rivers people especially now that politics is over to go into deliverance of political values for the interest of a better state.
“Politics is over we should go into the deliverance of political values to the people of Rivers State. The dividends of democracy is what we are now looking up to and I hope Rivers people will be all out for it after the matter in court, governance will be given all the attention because there would not be any distraction again.
“I am assuring Rivers people that there won’t be any regrets”.
