The essence of government anywhere in the world is to enhance people’s living standard. This is moreso especially in a democracy which is often defined as government of the people by the people and for the people. Thus everything in a democratic government which we claim to have in Nigeria centers on the welfare of the people.
Key Highlights
- The article argues that government’s primary responsibility is to protect citizens’ welfare and living standards, particularly during crises such as flooding.
- It criticises the Rivers State government and political actors over what it describes as inadequate flood prevention and mitigation measures.
- The piece links the state’s flood challenges to the prolonged political crisis and rivalry involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
- It argues that political disagreements and delays surrounding governance and the state budget may have affected preparedness for flooding.
- The article specifically raises concerns about the condition of Ntawogba Creek and drainage channels, arguing that regular desilting could help improve water flow. Recent reports have also linked flooding in Port Harcourt to the overflowing Ntawaogba Creek and drainage problems.
When the people perform their civic responsibilities, pay their taxes, cast their votes in election and other sundry activities expected of them, it is only expected that those entrusted with the responsibility of running the government should do their own part by ensuring that the people do not lack the basic essentials of living.
Many residents of Rivers State are at present facing very critical times caused by the ravaging flood. Interestingly, the flood did not just come suddenly. There was enough warming that it would come. Government and authorities saddled with responsibilities of flood control and mitigation were expected to take proactive measures to circumvent the likelihood of any disaster.
It used to even happen in the state when government would set up flood control committees and chairmen of local government areas are co-opted to chair similar committees at the local level, all to ensure that the people are not caught napping when the flood finally comes.
Read also:
- Catholic Church Empathizes With Flood Victims In Rivers, Seeks Help For Victims
- Flood Cuts Off East-West Road At Agbarho, Commuters Stranded As Residents Flee Homes In Delta
- Ebonyi Flood: Esu River Submerges Homes, Farms, Displaces Families in Ohaozara
But this time in Rivers State, it is not any surprise that nothing of such appears to have been done because a kingdom divided against itself cannot by any magic stand. The state has been bedeviled by internecine conflicts and rivalries incubated by the selfish desire of one man to maintain overlord over more than three million Rivers residents. The result is near absence of governance over time following distractions occasioned by the political instability.
The legislative arm of government ostensibly bought over the conflict and used the instrumentality of their position to to shut down the budget from where provisions could have possibly been made to mitigate the impact of the flood. Even when the budget was eventually given a life, the legislators allegedly cornered a greater chunk for themselves without given a hoot about what could become of their constituents.
Now that the flood has come with a fury, it has not been recorded that any legislator has extended a hand of fellowship to members of his or her constituents from their largesse from the budget. Instructively, the flood does not discriminate between members of the Rainbow Coalition whose cranky stance brought most of the calamities upon the state nor does it spare others who sat on the fence just as those who are standing against the coalition are not equally spared. So all are victims.
That is the price the state is paying by not rising in unison to defend their government when it mattered most. Governor Fubara is already war – weary and he has made his stance known to everyone. He is probably marking time to just peacefully end his first tenure and walk away. The tempo of governance has long slowed down. Before now, there used to be seasonal desilting of the Ntawogba creek in which most flood water in the state are channeled.
This time, we didn’t hear anything of such nor did we see the swamp buggies that are usually deployed to desilt most blocked channels to allow free flow of water to the creek. Everything was consumed in playing fratricidal politics. The price is the pervasive outcry from every corner of the state even places that had never experienced flooding in years in the state are crying over the devastating impact of the flood.
In the local communities that are worst hit, most of the local government chairmen who are claiming equality with the governor or striving to show loyalty to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike do not even care. The people are abandoned to their fate.
