Amaechi, oil companies & the rains
By Odimegwu Onwumere
 |
| Amaechi |
The rains are here again. Many people want it to rain
always because of the intensely scorching sun, while others do not want it
because of the condition of the area they are living in Rivers State.
Regardless of the fortune of those who carry their crest
at hand when it rains, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has achieved
some gleaming feats in some sectors of the economy. The unacceptable condition
of most roads in the state, in earnest, investigations reveal that they are not
in the custody of the state government to repair. These roads belong to the
many oil companies in the state who spill their crude oil, and indeed, their
crude character everywhere and anyhow around the state, and by extension, in
the Niger Delta.
The oil companies’ nonchalant attitude to address these
roads has not only caused innumerable hardship to road users, but has led to
the damage of property and lives worth millions of money. This has left the
informed residents to be asking for explanation why the roads are left to the
ignoble condition they are.
We, critics, of this administration have always
antagonized the government on the roads, not knowing that not all that we
thought were its responsibilities, were really its’. The residents are not
finding it easy while plying these areas. The drainages are blocked by sand and
refuse. The companies are relaxing from the sledge pen of critics while Amaechi
bears the brunt. Yes, he is the number one citizen of the state, but those it
is their responsibilities to have certain sectors in the state fixed should not
be relaxing.
The festering critiques this administration has got on the
issue of road, the oil companies that refused to work most of these roads
belonging to them should apologise to the government and the people for failing
and for making the government be perceived as anti-people whereas it is far
from being that. In some areas, it is difficult before a neighbour could visit
a neighbour unless the neighbour traveled miles in the course of looking for a
motorable road. This is what negligence on the part of the oil companies had to
cause Rivers State.
The rapidly increasing economy of the state is also
exceptionally affected. Opportunities have also been lost, while the oil
companies continue to smile to the bank, to the detriment of the people, and
the workers growing fat cheeks and pot belly, while the vulnerable residents
continue to suffer their inopportune pit of hell called roads. While the
companies are also criss-crossing for juicy contracts, the people are suffering
exceptionally deadliness on the roads. The residents are snowed under
wickedness without any bleak to their besieged environment.
Traditionally, these companies worked the roads in those
days. What has entered their once horizon of positive thoughtfulness? Even some of the roads they worked in the
past did not stay long and they damaged. What a lurid? Tours to these roads,
potholes and caverns have germinated all over them. It is time the residents
resisted peacefully this evil notion. And Governor Amaechi should incessantly
call these oil companies to order for the people to exhale noisily relieve.
Their consignments of declarations that things would change for the better have
only positively changed their growth, while the residents are left in churlish.
In addition, they should be advised to build schools and
hospitals as well, which they were doing in those days. If they have lost focus
they should call for help so that the people can help assemble some best hands
to help them carry out the burdensome conscientiousness of picking their task.
They should do away with the omnipresent damaged roads to ease the people. The
residents are not even sure if the companies are still constructing new roads,
so they should rehabilitate the existing ones. They can liaise with the
intercession agency, the Rivers State Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance
Committee, if the agency is not moribund.
Moreover, Amaechi should direct his Commissioner for Works
to launch a serious protest to these companies for a reinvigoration. They
should not be allowed to do away with their ugly character. If the roads in
Port Harcourt, the state capital are fine, many in the environs are mindsore. If the oil companies refuse to work their
roads we would be forced to mention their names and their crowed of exploited
roads.
We wish Amaechi the best.
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