Street lights
street views
A governorship dashboard
After a period of stewardship of the current 36 state governors, feedback from their various states as shown in the THISDAY Governorship Dashboard reveals that some of the governors have done well at the wheel of power, while a few others would need to go back to the drawing board and come up with fresh ideas on how to make positive impact
STREET LIGHT INDICATOR
RED: Non-starter, go back to drawing board
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
BLUE: Good vision, slow start
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Okezie Ikpeazu
Abia
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has demonstrated a firm commitment to the fulfillment of his campaign promises. On becoming the governor, Ikpeazu, in fulfilment of his campaign promises of a better life for the people of Abia, focused on rehabilitation of infrastructure as the core of his blueprint for the development of the state. The governor identified five “pillars” on which he hinged the development agenda of his administration, namely, education, oil and gas, trade and commerce, agriculture, and security.
The governor’s first port of call was the commercial city of Aba, which for years was reeling under decay of infrastructure. He was determined to fix the roads in Aba and open the drainages to save the sprawling city from the perennial problem of flooding. Ikpeazu administration is presently doing 55 active road projects across the state. Out of these 27 roads have been completed, three of which were inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently. Two bridges are also under construction. His administration has also adopted the use of cement technology in road construction, to prolong their life-span and durability.
Though, the road projects cut across the three geopolitical zones, over 50 per cent are in Aba, which has earned the government criticism in some quarters.
The Abia governor has equally focused attention on security following an upsurge in criminal activities, including the security challenge posed by herdsmen. He has provided 20 patrol cars to the state police command to enhance their crime prevention operations.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Dwindling revenue, insecurity and high wave of crime.
• Poor infrastructure and unemployment.
• Huge infrastructural decay in Aba.
What the people want:
• Government should tackle the problem of unemployment through youth empowerment programmes anchored on skills acquisition.
• In the attempt to shore up government revenue, Ikpeazu should devise fiscal methods that would not place a lot of burden on the people.
• Balanced development of the state and an effort to address the allegations of lopsided development.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration has initiated steps to tackle the huge infrastructure decay, particularly in the area of roads
• The government is tackling the problem of flooding in the commercial city of Aba, which is one of the city’s biggest challenges.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Muhammad Bindow
Adamawa
Governor Muhammad Jibrilla Bindow’s administration has focused more on road construction in the state spendng over N12 billion on a number of road projects expected to add 53.75 km of roads within and outside the state capital.
The Bindow administration has also rehabilitated three hospitals across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The Yola International Hotel which had been abandoned and shut down for close to a decade has now been resuscitated in a bid to create jobs and boost tourism.
However a blot on Bindow’s achievements is the non-payment of teachers and health workers salaries for up to six months. Another issue is failing to curb the state’s dependence on Federal allocations.
Bindow’s critics believe that his loyalty to the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has put him in the bad books of the All Progressives Congress’s stakeholders especially those loyal to former governor Murtala yako.
The development has degenerated to wresting the structures of the party from the governor’s control by politicians at the Federal level.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Adamawa was one of the states under the scourge of Boko Haram
• The condition of roads in the state was deplorable
What the people want:
• Payment of salaries
• Security from insurgents
• improving internally generated revenue
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Reopening of the Yola International Hotel which had been abandoned and shut down for close to a decade
• Embarking on several road projects as part of the infrastructural development agenda of the government
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Udom Emmanuel
Akwa Ibom
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom is chief executive at a time when plummeting oil prices have meant lesser income. This has meant a slower pace in fulfilling promises he made before coming to office. With the people waiting for the infrastructural consolidation and expansion that would fuel iindustrialization and job creation.
However, some projects are ready for inauguration. They include urban roads in Oron metropolis, Mkpok-Okat road in Onna and more as well as internal road rehabilitation and hostel/classroom blocks at Cornelia Connelly College.
The Emmanuel administration has revitalized and commissioned the moribund Peacock Paints Industry Limited at Ikot Ekan, Etinan for full operation while the development of the coconut plantation at Eastern Obolo and the 100,000 barrels per day Petrochemical Refinery in Eket is filled with promise.
Additional Power substations have been constructed, resulting in an improvement in electricity supply.
The administration has trained youths to acquire skills in agriculture, power, as well as photography and film production.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Lack of private sector investment
What the people want:
• Payment of salaries
• Job creation
• Economic and political inclusion
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Addressing the issue of unemployment through skills acquisition programme for youths
• Continuation of the infrastructural development of the past administration in the area of road construction
• Building of power substation to address the problem of electricity supply
• Revival of the moribund Peacock Paints Industry Limited at Ikot Ekan
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
WIllie Obiano
Anambra
Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, who was sworn in on March 17, 2014, is the sixth executive governor of the state since its creation in 1991. At the inception of his administration, Obiano spelt his mission to include the completion of projects initiated by his predecessor and on-going while initiating his. He explained that his administration would be run on what he called “the four pillars” of development, which he identified as security, agriculture, oil and gas, and trade and commerce. The governor set up the Anambra State Investment Promotion Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) in May last year to make the investment climate in the state more conducive, transparent and efficient. ANSIPPA has so far attracted investments worth about $200 billion, THISDAY learnt.
The state government has drastically improved security and cases of kidnapping and armed robbery have considerably reduced. In furtherance of the administration’s effort to ensure security, the government has donated 25 patrol cars equipped with communication gadgets to the state police command and a gunboat to the Nigerian Navy in Onitsha.
Besides, the governor has completed a 900-shop shopping mall in Onitsha, which was at 40 per cent completion when he came on board, and kicked off the construction of $350 million wholesale shopping complex in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area.
The administration has constructed three flyovers at three locations on the Awka end of Onitsha-Enugu expressway. Added to this is the construction of Otuocha-Miata road and Aguleri-Orient Petroleum Oil Company road in Anambra East local government, measuring about 14 kilometres.
Anambra has over 30 trillion cubic feet of oil and gas most of which remain relatively unexploited. The governor said government’s objective was to develop robust oil and gas sector by 2018.
Obiano has consistently paid salaries of workers every month without borrowing, and he has improved the internally generated revenue profile of the state from N500 million monthly to N1.5 billion.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Relatively low IGR profile.
• High rate of criminality, such as armed robbery and kidnapping.
• Many on-going projects.
What the people want:
• Sustenance of the current efforts to ensure security of life and property.
• Completion of on-going projects, especially the market constructions.
• Greater effort to link the rural areas through good roads.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration has been able to increase the IGR from N500 million to N1.5 billion.
• With the set up of Anambra State Investment Promotion Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) with a mandate to make investment climate in the state more conducive, transparent and efficient, the state has so far attracted investments worth about N200 billion.
• Through investment in security, the issue of insecurity, particularly armed robbery and kidnapping, has been addressed substantially
• The administration has also embarked on road projects, including the construction of three flyovers.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar
Bauchi
In tandem with his campaign promises, Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar-led government began with greater focus especially on his ‘Quick Win Projects’, which include environment, water, health, agriculture, and other socio-religious obligations.
A major stride of the administration in the last 12 months is the administration’s commitment towards promoting the health status of the people of the state. This is demonstrated by Governor Abubakar in the allocation of 15 per cent of state’s total budget to health sector in line with Abuja 2001 declaration.
The government also launched a 5-point health agenda tagged ‘Lafiya Garkuwa’ and one of its pillars is to improve coverage of Routine Immunisation.
There’s also the distribution of over ten thousand tonnes of fertilisers to farmers in the state at 50 per cent subsidy, despite the administration’s constraint in finance and a low internally generated revenue (IGR).
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Insecurity and vulnerability to terrorist attacks
• Attention was not paid to the tourism sector, Yankari Games Reserve was neglected
• Inadequate health facilities
• Poor sanitation
What the people want:
• Settlement of backlog of workers’ salaries
• Peace and security
• Improvement in agriculture
• Development of road and school infrastructure
What the governor has done or is doing:
• While the administration has not been able to increase the IGR of the state, it has however made significant budgetary allocation to health and agriculture.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Seriake Dickson
Bayelsa
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has had to contend with falling revenues to the state from the Federation Account. This situation has largely slowed the pace of infrastructural development. Big projects, like the airport project at Wilberforce Island and the Deep Seaport at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area, have been worst hit by the financial downturn.
The governor has also struggled to pay workers’ salaries since the commencement of his second term, a development that led to industrial action by workers in the state employ.
However, some level of work has continued on projects in the health institutions and a number of primary and secondary schools in the state. Some of the on-going projects were not halted because they were being executed in partnership with international development organisations.
Following the economic downturn, the governor has embarked on cost-cutting measures and efforts to clean up the books, a development that has not gone down well with many of those affected.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• The state suffered from a shortage of infrastructure. Despite the efforts of the government, essential infrastructure in the state was either dilapidated or insufficient.
• Businesses were adversely affected by the lack of basic infrastructure, such as good roads, electricity, pipe borne water, and efficient transport system. This resulted in the high cost of goods in many parts of the riverine state.
What the people want:
• Prompt payment of workers’ salaries.
• Provision of basic amenities to ease movement of goods and services and promote business generally.
• Deliberate interventions by government to lessen the effects of the current economic downturn.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration has embarked on a number of road projects and urban renewal efforts
• The governor has made efforts to widen the tax nets to achieve significant inflow of revenue into the state coffers aside the revenue from the Federation account.
• The government convened and hosted two investment and economic summits to chart a development path for the state and showcase its potentials for investors to see.
• The governor is yet to device a way to clear the backlog of wages owed state workers neither has he been able to come up with how to ensure prompt payment of salaries.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Samuel Ortom
Benue
The tenure of Benue Governor Samuel Ortom has been bedeviled with problems of funding. Workers in the state are being owed months of salaries despite huge borrowing by the government. The takeoff of infrastructure development has been slow, while the private sector development is almost none existent.
Despite these problems the governor has managed to achieve in some areas. On education, the state government has been able to pay for the accreditation of the medical school of the state university.
The government has also commenced the total renovation of the school of Nursing in the state while taking steps to get it accredited.
Ortom’s administration has awarded contracts for eight roads and close to completing the Achusa ring road started by his predecessor.
The administration has also paid counterpart funds for the construction of MDG projects and that of SUBEB contracts.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Uncompleted projects by past administration
• Backlog of salary arrears
What the people want:
• Security
• Enabling environment for private sector investment
• Agricultural-driven industrialisation
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The governor has awarded contracts for construction of roads and is making efforts to complete inherited road projects.
• The administration which started on a slow note has not been able to address the backlog of salaries owed workers
RED: Non-starter, go back to drawing board
Kashim Shettima
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima has governed under the shadow of insecurity occasioned by Boko Haram insurgency since he came to power in 2011. The terrorist onslaught has posed a serious problem for development. The Post Insurgency Recovery and Peace Building Assessment Report on Borno shows that Boko Haram has cost the state nearly $6 billion in wanton destructions of life and property since the insurgency began in 2009. An estimated 20,000 persons have been killed, with over two million displaced.
About one million houses, 665 municipal buildings, and 201 healthcare centres have been destroyed. A total of 5,335 classrooms and other school buildings have been destroyed across the 512 primary schools, 38 secondary schools, and two tertiary institutions in the state.
But Shettima has tried to brave the ruin and security threat to deliver development. Soon after his re-election last year, he created the Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement with the mandate of rebuilding all communities, private homes, and public structures destroyed in the insurgency, as well as rehabilitate victims.
Reconstruction works were started in communities in Kaga, Maiduguri, Jere, Konduga and Bama local government in the first phase of the programme. The government made the choice of communities based on immediate access to avoid interrupting military operations.
Already, so much has been achieved with the Borno State Government working in over 20 different sites. The affected communities have been remodelled to meet certain standards. Schools, district head palaces, central mosques, primary healthcare centres, and water supply boreholes destroyed by the insurgents have been rebuilt. Equally rebuilt are the Nigerian Police stations, general hospitals, dispensaries, local government secretariats, and courts.
The state government has also built and commissioned a resettlement estate named Yerwa Peace Estate, comprising 500 units of two-bedroom flats, which is now being permanently occupied by insurgency victims of Umarari, Gwaidamgari and Jajeri communities. The communities had been completely razed down during the military offensive that led to the final exodus of Boko Haram from Maiduguri.
Roads, bridges, and other structures have also been rebuilt in different parts of the state.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Many communities razed down by the insurgents were occupied and impossible to access.
• Too many people living in Internally Displaced Persons camps in Maiduguri, the state capital.
• Work on major infrastructural projects suspended, as contractors could not move to site due to insecurity.
What the people want:
• Speedup of work on the reconstruction of the destroyed communities and infrastructure.
• Restoration of civil authority and guarantee of security in the rescued communities to facilitate the return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
• Deliberate interventions by government, individuals, and organisations to rebuild livelihoods.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Smarting from the havoc wreaked by insurgents, the administration soon after inauguration for second term last year created the Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement which has since commenced work with the rebuilding of liberated communities, private homes, and public structures destroyed in the insurgency.
• It also embarked on housing projects to rehabilitate victims of insurgency
• Construction works are also going on roads and bridges destroyed by insurgents
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Ben Ayade
Cross River
Governor Ayade’s policy thrust has been “creation of wealth through industrialisation and provision of first class infrastructure.” Construction of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port and the 260-kilometre super highway from Bakassi to Katsina are signature projects in Ayade’s infrastructure development plan. He has also tried to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries. The governor says the highway would serve as evacuation corridor for cargoes from the deep sea port to states in the northern parts of the country and other African countries, thereby opening up the state’s hinterland communities to economic boom.
However, paucity of funds is hindering Ayade’s dream, even as he searches for foreign investors to actualise the signature projects, which are estimated to cost over N700 billion. In term of inherited projects, Ayade has not done much to develop the tourism and rural development programmes of the administration of his predecessors, Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke, respectively. Very little has also been done by Ayade to revive the tourism potentials of the Obudu Ranch Resort, more so after Ayade stopped the annual Obudu International Mountain Race.
But his administration has kept faith with the annual Calabar Carnival that Duke initiated in 2005 and Imoke sustained effectively throughout his eight years’ reign.
But the Ayade administration has completed the mono-rail to link the CICC with Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort. Ayade has also been battling to keep Calabar clean, as the once acclaimed cleanest city in Nigeria during the tenure of Duke has been submerged by mountains of refuse that straddle major streets in the city.
In his first year in office, Ayade established the Cross River Garment Factory, acclaimed by the administration to be the biggest in Africa, with a size of 5,000sqm, and employs 3,000 people. Four primary health care centres have been renovated and equipped. Currently ongoing are the construction of Calabar Pharmaceutical Company and Rice City.
The establishment of the Green Police to protect the environment, especially the rain forest, represents another area Ayade’s administration has targeted to create direct employment for at least 1,500 youths from the state’s three senatorial districts.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Erosion of Calabar’s reputation as the cleanest city in Nigeria.
• Dwindling fortunes of the Tinapa resort and Obudu Ranch resort.
• Uncompleted mono-rail link between the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) and Tinapa resort.
What the people want:
• More vigorous effort to clean Calabar and restore its reputation as Nigeria’s cleanest city.
• A greater focus of attention on projects with direct impact on the people, and resisting the temptation to embark on white elephant projects.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• With determination to make the state the gateway to the South-South and Northern region, the administration embarked on an ambitious infrastructural project of a Bakassi Deep Sea Port and the 260-kilometre super highway from Bakassi to Katsina.
• The governor is addressing the challenges of unemployment and industrialisation by initiating the construction of Calabar Pharmaceutical Company and Rice City; construction and inauguration of Cross River Garment Factory with 3,000 job creation target; and creation of Green Police targeted to create direct employment for at least 1,500.
• Completion of the mono-rail to link the CICC with Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Ifeanyi Okowa
Delta
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has tried to fulfill his pledge of a new lease of life for the people of Delta State through his “prosperity for all Deltans” developmental blueprint called the S.M.A.R.T. Agenda. In his first year as governor, he has been braving the odds of a nationwide financial crunch to execute several people-oriented programmes. His developmental strides are showcased in terms of infrastructure, urban renewal, health, education, agriculture/agribusiness, and job and wealth creation.
The wealth creation scheme has involved building a knowledge economy through equipping participants with technical know-how, vocational/technical skills, values and resources to become self-employed and employers of labour. In the second batch in April, a total of 540 beneficiaries of the Delta State Skill Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) were presented with starter-packs by Okowa. Also, 771 successful trainees were earlier presented with starter-packs after a three-month training programme in various areas of entrepreneurship.
The mandatory contributory Health Insurance bill was passed and signed into law. The inauguration of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission on May 4 makes Delta the first state in the country to have a mandatory health insurance scheme aimed at universal healthcare coverage.
The state government has inaugurated a 41-member Delta State Peace Building and Advisory Council, which meets regularly to implement policies and programmes to increase public safety in Delta State. At the moment, Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro is leading a special security advocacy team round the coastal areas of the state in a bid to check the resurgence of militancy.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Dwindling revenue from the Federation Account caused by falling crude oil prices.
• Troubling rate of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Uncompleted N23 billion Independent Power Plant in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area, which was awarded to Davnotch Nigeria Limited in 2009.
What the people want:
• Completion of major projects started by the previous administration.
• Completion of the N23 billion Independent Power Plant in Oghara. Over N19 billion is said to have been paid to the contractor with little evidence of serious work done.
• Rethink of the government’s plan to establish a new independent power plant.
• Clarification of all issues surrounding the N6 billion Warri-Effurun BRT project.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Initiated developmental blueprint called the S.M.A.R.T. Agenda
• Has embarked on infrastructure and urban renewal project
• Addressing unemployment through vocational and skill acquisition training
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Dave Umahi
Ebonyi
Governor Dave Umahi has said provision and improvement of infrastructure as well as security of life and property are the cornerstones of his development agenda. He has tried to address the issues of peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups and communities in the state. He is also tackling the questions of workers’ welfare and salaries.
The administration has embarked on some road projects and rehabilitation of insfratructure.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Poor infrastructure, bad road network.
• Inadequate attention to agriculture.
• Perennial industrial actions by organised labour over the non-payment of workers’ salaries and promised increment in wages.
• High incidence of cult wars, ethnic clashes, and land disputes.
What the people want:
• Sustained effort to make the state secure and free from cult-related violence.
• Completion of all ongoing projects.
• Sustained transformation of Abakiliki, the state capital.
• Prompt payment of workers’ salaries
• Continuous improvement in workers’ welfare to avoid friction with organised labour.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Has embarked on road construction and rehabilitation and urban renewal
• The administration has continued to strive to ensure prompt payment of salaries
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Adams Oshiomhole
Edo
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole became the governor of Edo State on November 11, 2008 after Court of Appeal in Benin upheld the verdict of the Election Petitions Tribunal which earlier declared him the valid winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship. INEC had previously declared the election in favour of Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During his swearing in on November 12, 2008 Oshiomhole promised to, among others, develop infrastructure. This promise was hinged on the decay of infrastructures in the state in all ramifications.
Seven and a half years down the line, the Oshiomhole-led administration may have fulfilled that promise as there had been massive road construction and rehabilitation, education, health and drainage control. Besides, his administration has broadened the tax base of the state.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Dilapidated road, health and school infrastructure
• Incessant flooding across the states
What the people want:
• Agricultural development
• Job creation
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Several road projects across the state
• Uban renewal, particularly in Benin City, the state capital.
• Tackling of flooding which had been a major problem of the state capital and many towns.
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Ayodele Fayose
Ekiti
Governor Ayodele Fayose assumed office on October 16, 2014, after defeating his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a keenly contested election.
His first shot at the governorship seat was riddled with controversies and the governor was resolute about rewriting his history. But he claimed the dwindling revenues to the state actually impeded some of his lofty dreams for the state.
The governor had at various forums ranted over what he described as huge debt burden left behind by Fayemi’s government, which he put at N76 billion. However, Fayemi had refuted the allegation, saying, he only left N36 billion debt.
Fayose disclosed that a staggering sum of N900 billion was being deducted from the paltry state allocation monthly to defray the debt incurred through borrowing from capital markets and commercial banks.
Before Fayose came on board, the state allocation was undulating between N2.1 billion and N2.4 billion.
As things stand now, Fayose is owing workers five months salaries with no hope that things will get better. This is predicated on the fact that the internally generated revenue that was as high as N450 million under the immediate past government, has shrunk to N120 million. So, the state is practically incapacitated without adequate federal allocation.
The inability to pay salaries and coupled with the rising unemployment in Ekiti, a state adjudged as the most educated in the country, Fayose’s popularity rating has plummeted. The thinking in town has been that this government has done below expectation taking cognizance of the hope he gave to the people during electioneering campaign.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• The state was faced with dwindled resources from the federation account
• The IGR had been increased to about N500 million from N120 million
• The state civil servants workers were being owed two month salaries but the local government workers were paid up to date
• The security situation was okay
• The former governor, Kayode Fayemi, embarked on some capital intensive projects, which he was not able to complete before he left.
What the people want:
• The people of the state would be happy if the administration led by Fayose, suspends capital projects and settle salary arrears of workers
• Just as they want creation, the people of the state, also to improve agriculture and make it more attractive
• Adequate security
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The governor has been focusing on what he called stomach infrastructure, which is a form of social welfare through donation of money and food items to indigent people
• Though the administration has embarked on a few capital projects like roads, its inability to meet its obligations to the workers in terms of payment of salaries has led to labour crisis in the state. The state workers are currently on strike over unpaid salaries.
• Due to his frequent altercation with the President, many people believe the governor is distracted.
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
Enugu
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a former three-term member of the House of Representatives, has tried to sustain the legacies of his predecessor, Sullivan Chime. The governor has continued most of the projects he inherited and embarked on new projects. The projects include road construction/rehabilitation, bridge construction, construction of school blocks, rural electrification, provision of portable water, and housing.
No fewer than 20 road projects covering 35 kilometres have been completed in the last 12 months. Some completed urban roads include Holy Ghost Rd, Samuelson Road, Holy Trinity Road, Nawfia St., Mbanefo St. in New Haven, Ridgeway Road, Colliery and Lake Avenue all in the metropolis. Others are Airport Roundabout-Emene-Eke Obinagu Road, 9th Mile By-pass, Isiuzo St. and Abakpa Nike Road.
Some rural roads, including 11.6km dualisation of Opi-Nsukka Road, Udenu Ring Road, Umuezebi Road, and Post Office Roundabout-Odenigbo-Ogurugu-Ikenga Road all in Nsukka, are at various stages of completion.
In the area of rural electrification, apart from the Ezi-Nze Injection Sub-station, servicing three local government areas which has been unveiled, the governor has approved N155 million for other rural electrification projects in 15 communities of Igboeze North and Igbo-Etiti councils.
In the agriculture sector, the state now has two hatcheries producing 360,000 day-old chicks monthly and presently selling at N100 per day-old chick, unlike in the past when the state bought from Lagos at N250. The government has set up a pineapple farm in Enugu covering over 300 hectares and rice farmers in the state have received government support to improve productivity.
The present administration has procured 20 vehicles for security agencies and donated an initial N100 million to revive vigilante groups in all the communities in the state. This to a large extent has reduced crimes and criminalities in the state.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Many uncompleted projects across various sectors.
• Unpaid workers’ salaries, which was occasioned by the dwindling revenue accruing to the state from the federal purse.
What the people want:
• Increased pace of development, especially in the health sector.
• Innovative ways of increasing internally generated revenue.
• Employment opportunities, particularly, for the youth.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Infrastrutural development particularly in the area of road projets and urban renewal
• Rural electrification projects provision of portable water
• Focusing on agriculture like the two hatcheries producing 360,000 day-old chicks monthly and a pineapple farm in Enugu covering over 300 hectares.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Ibrahim Dankwambo
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo is thick in the battle of raising the quality of education in his state. It is therefore not surprising that he has over the last five years in office established a college of education, a polytechnic, a college of Islamic and legal studies and a college of nursing.
In the same vein, over 30 primary and secondary schools have witnessed complete makeover with a special primary and a secondary school developed into a special school in each of the eleven local government areas of the state.
Dankwambo has also concentrated on road construction complete with concrete drainages and generator powered streetlights.
Many settlements in the state are now linked with regional roads to ease trade, discourage rural – urban drift and encourage agriculture which is the state’s major occupation.
The procurement of 200 brand new tractors and the refurbishment of the existing 35 to boost the State Tractor Hiring Unit and sales to interested famers at highly subsidized rates is a pointer to the administrations priorities especially as a set of work bulls with complete plough were procured and sold to farmers who cannot afford tractors at subsidized rates.
The sales and distribution of subsidized assorted fertilisers, improved seedlings and other farm inputs have been on the increase.
Gombe state government has partnered with the Bank of Industry on credit facility with loans being made available to market traders.
Two hundred taxis and more than one thousand tricycles were distributed to youths and other interested persons in the state as loan with a plan to set up tricycles assembly plant in top gear.
However, the International Conference Centre is yet to be completed while newly constructed shops are yet to be commissioned.
Other projects yet to be completed include a mega motor park designed to harness all the parks scattered across the state capital.
A bright spot is the women and children hospital which is now completed and operational. This, along with a four hundred unit housing estate, with allocation in process.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Education sector was in a deplorable state
• The state’s agriculture sector was operating way below potential
What the people want:
• Fully mechanized agriculture industry
• Speedy completion of projects
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration has continued to carry infrastructural development particularly in the area of road construction and rural electrification.
• In a bid to improve the economic base of the state, the administration has continued to pay attention to agriculture including provision of tools to farmers.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Rochas Okorocha
Imo
The Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, has faced daunting challenges with funding for recurrent and capital projects since he was sworn in for a second term in May last year. The Okorocha government has been widely criticised for owing workers’ salaries.
Nonetheless, the governor has executed some laudable projects. To deal with the problem of poor road infrastructure within the state capital, Okorocha has embarked on total road rehabilitation and reconstruction. Some new ones are also being constructed.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Many on-going projects, as the governor embarked on a mission to tackle the infrastructure deficit in the state.
• Development initiatives occasionally clashing with the interest of workers.
What the people want:
• Prompt payment of workers’ emoluments.
• Intensified effort to complete the flyover started by the past government. Okorocha has laid the foundation for the construction of a new flyover in Owerri, the state capital. But many are of the view that it makes more economic sense, especially, in these hard times, to continue and complete the existing flyover before embarking on another one.
• Spread of development projects to the three zones of the state, namely Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri. This would reduce rural-urban migration and help to ease the problem of congestion and excessive pressure on amenities in the state capital.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration has continued to focus on infrastructural development, particularly in the area of road construction and rehabilitation.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Badaru Abubakar
Jigawa
The governor of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar, has made remarkable effort to move the state forward since he took over last year. But constrained by lack of funds, he has taken drastic cost-saving measures, some of which seem to be controversial. Shortly after being sworn in as governor, Abubakar abolished the payment of school fees for male students of senior secondary schools in the state. He said it was part of efforts to improve education.
Despite the problem of funds, the governor has paid over N604 million as outstanding state counterpart fund for the UBEC/SUBEB Intervention Fund. On the economic front, Abubakar has launched a goat breeding micro-credit scheme for widows and others without tangible means of livelihood. About 17,000 goats have been distributed under the scheme.
Efforts have been made to improve water supply in the seven zones of the state through provision of generators and solar-powered devices.
The administration has established a partnership with WACOT Nigeria Limited on the establishment of sesame processing and cleaning plants in the state. Abubakar aims to make Jigawa State a top producer and exporter of sesame. Attention is also being given to production of maize, sorghum and rice seedlings.
Over one metric ton of assorted seeds have been provided for farmers through JASCO stores and 159 local government agricultural staff have been transferred to extension services to boost agriculture in the state. One major action taken by the government in agriculture is the demarcation of Dumna and Jallwa grazing reserves in Yankwashi local government to reduce farmers/herdsmen clash. This had been a big drawback to agriculture.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Agriculture threatened by clashes between crop farmers and itinerant cattle herders.
• Potable water shortage in many parts of the state.
What the people want:
• Furthering of the MOU with the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropic (ICRISAT) on Development of Groundnut value chain, including seeds, processing, marketing and Aflatoxin management.
• More incentives and facilities to encourage youth involvement in agriculture.
• Provision of more health facilities in the rural areas. The attempt to establish a second school of nursing in the state at Hadejia and procurement of dialysis machine for Hadejia General Hospital are commended. But many feel there is need to do more to ensure better health coverage of the rural areas.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Faced with lack of funds, the administration has taken drastic cost-saving measures, though some have been criticised like the stoppage of the payment of fees for male students of senior secondary schools in the state.
• The administration is focusing on agriculture and reviving agricultural extension services.
• Efforts are being made to address the plight of the very poor and the vunerable through a goat breeding micro-credit scheme.
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Nasir el-Rufai
Kaduna
On assumption of office on May 29, 2015, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai embarked on some reforms to prune cost of governance, ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in the affairs of government.
As part of his efforts to ensure transparency and accountability, el-Rufai introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA) even before the federal government, in this new dispensation led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He listed education, security, health, agriculture, job creation and provision of basic infrastructure as the priorities of his administration.
The governor introduced free basic education and free feeding for primary schools as well as the rehabilitation and provision of furniture to the schools. According to the governor, 1.5 million pupils were being fed every day in school, adding that over N6 billion had been spent on school upgrade and provision of furniture between September 2015 and January 2016.
In the area of security, the government donated 107 vehicles and bullet proof vests as well as 51 motorcycles to the police and other security agencies to combat crime.
The greatest challenges of the administration are insufficient funds and dealing with monthly wage bill of N2.2 billion as the state only receives N2.7 billion monthly from the federation account.
The state revenue board has however been reformed and reorganised to exploit sources of internal revenue.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• The state was highly indebted
• No backlog of workers’ salaries
• The state was faced with serious security challenge especially in the southern part and Birnin Gwari
• The projects initiated by Late Governor Patrick Yakowa were abandoned by the last administration of Ramalan Yero
What the people want:
• Completion of inherited projects
• Peaceful ethno-religious environment
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Introduction of TSA to curb leakages
• Embarked on several reforms to reposition the state and to prune cost of governance, ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in the affairs of government.
• Initiated a state traffic agency to address the issues of traffic congestion and traffic law violation particularly in the Kaduna metropolis
• Has embarked on massive rehabilitation of schools
• Embarked on urban renewal by reclaiming land encroached on builders
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Abdullahi Ganduje
Kano
The Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has remained true to his promise to continue with the development projects started by his predecessor and to also initiate new ones. Though, he has struggled to overcome financial challenges in the effort to fulfill that promise.
Ganduje’s achievements so far include introduction of free health care system, improved training of health personnel, and free eye treatment for over 20,000 people in the state. He has also tried to uplift sports activities in the state by providing the necessary support for the sports agency in the state.
The government has given ample attention to agricultural development. It has provided subsidised fertilisers for farmers in the state and also improved irrigation activities. Ganduje’s administration has initiated new projects, like the construction of Madobi underpass road and other metropolitan roads, and construction of schools. He has embarked on the construction of five kilometres of roads in each of the 44 local government areas of the state.
Ganduje plans to design a new master plan for Kano markets in the wake of series of fire disasters, which have led to enormous loss of property.
But the governor has also been confronted by political tensions arising from disagreements with his predecessor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and his Kwankwasiyya political family.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Many abandoned projects by the previous administrations.
• Poor internally generated revenue profile and a lull in business. This has been largely due to security challenges that led to the relocation of many businesses from the state.
• Vigorous scheme of free education, overseas education sponsorship for indigent students.
What the people want:
• Continuation of the educational support initiatives of the immediate past government, especially, as it relates to assistance to the indigent.
• Effective arrangements to guarantee safety of life and property.
• Expediting action on the implementation of the new Kano market master plan.
• Conscious effort to reduce tension by making the government inclusive of major political interests in the state.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The governor has continued with the urban road projects in Kano metropolis and also commenced construction of road project.
• Distracted by the running battle with his predecessor over polical supremacy.
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Aminu Masari
Katsina
Governor Aminu Masari has since he was sworn in as governor in May last year prioritised efforts to unlock the economic potentials of the state. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives enjoys massive goodwill, especially, at the grassroots.
From the outset, Masari found his administration confronted by paucity of funds and a bloated workforce caused, in the main, by a high incidence of ghost workers. He has to a large extent succeeded in fishing out the fake workers, who had cost the state about N700 million monthly in unearned incomes. The governor has said his “government will not just stop at recovering the stolen funds, but will prosecute anybody involved in the shady practice.”
The governor has also kept his promise of prompt payment of workers’ salaries. Pensions and gratuities, even those inherited from the last administration, have been settled and paid regularly, which the government says cost it about N300 million monthly. The government has put appreciable amount of resources into the repositioning of the education and health sectors.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Backlog of unpaid pensions.
• Difficulty in the payment of workers’ emoluments caused principally by a large number of ghost workers.
What the people want:
• More attention to human capital development to enable the people to achieve their full potential.
• Establishment of more empowerment programmes for women and the youth.
• Improved supply of drinkable water and construction of roads.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Cleaning of the wage bill by fishing out ghost workers
• Despite dwindling revenue from the federation account, the administration has ensured prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities and tackling of the backlog of unpaid wages inherited from past administration
• Tackling of cattle rustling hedlong in conjunction with security agencies.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Atiku Bagudu
Kebbi
During the inauguration of Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu, May 29 last year, he pledged to reposition the state , fight poverty, overhaul the education sector as well as diversify the economy through agriculture. But the governor made it clear that the task will not be an easy one because he met almost an empty treasury, poor educational sector that is not suitable for breeding students and other myriad of problems.
There is no doubt that within one year in office , Senator Bagudu has made appreciable progress in Kebbi state. Agriculture has received the desired attention especially rice farming. This was as a result of the dual effort of the governor and the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme. Although larger chunk of the money for the programme came from the CBN but the governor has demonstrated good political leadership to drive the process.
Bagudu also created similar loan packages worth several billions of naira to accommodate farmers who were left out in the CBN loan package. There is no doubt that the commitment shown by the governor, has triggered off agricultural activities especially rice production in most parts of the state, especially Suru, Augie, Kangiwa, Aliero, Argungu, Yauri, among other rice producing communities. Current statistics had shown that Nigeria require seven million tons per annum to sufficiently meet its rice demand. But the governor promised President Muhammadu Buhari that Kebbi farmers will be able to provide the country with one million tons annually.
Thus, with the satisfaction expressed by the Minister Agriculture , Chief Audu Ogbe, and the CBN Governor , Mr. Godwin Emefele, during their recent visit to some rice farms in the state to assess the CBN loan programme to farmers, Bagudu’s agricultural policy has been commended by many analysts. The administration recently partnered with Lagos on rice production. Another feat achieved by the governor in the last one year, was the completion of Yauri local government township roads which are now wearing a new look. Similarly, Bagudu has ensured that electricity supply to the state capital is maintained at least 20 hours daily.
In fact, Kebbi is one of the few states in the country that enjoy almost uninterrupted supply of electricity.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• The past governor, Saidu Dakingari, concentrated projects especially, schools and general hospitals, in the rural areas where there is no power and equipment for them to function
• He left the state capital, Birnin Kebbi underdeveloped, other major cities are even worse
• No potable water is available in many communities
What the people want:
• Nearly all the people of the state are farmers, who want to improve their farming, which is their means of livelihood
• Workers desire improved welfare
• The people want improved healthcare services
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Conscious of the fact that a large percentage of the state population is made up of farmers, the administration has continued to focus on agriculture. In partnership with CBN, loans have been extended to rice farmers in the state raising the prospect of the state adding a million tons of rice to national rice production
• Completion of Yauri local government township roads
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Yahaya Bello
Kogi
Yahaya Bello was ushered in under controversial circumstances following the death of Abubakar Audu, the previous governorship candidate and was saddled with the onerous task of repositioning the state. He was faced with the challenges of inadequate infrastructure and labour-related issues, particularly settlement of salary arrears.
Of note is the construction of Lokoja township road, which was reportedly abandoned by previous administration.
More importantly, the governor introduced measures to tighten the noose and plug revenue leakages in the civil service and enforce fiscal discipline.
In an effort to curb corruption in the state civil service, Kogi State government is to adopt Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Grossly inadequate infrastructure and abandoned projects by previous administration
• The labour force was in crisis, with unpaid four month salaries
• Poor sanitation characterised the state
What the people want:
• Ensure fiscal discipline and have a lean cost government
• Settlement of backlog of salaries
• People-oriented projects and infrastructure
• Stamp out corruption
• Restoration of sanitation
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Has announced the adoption of TSA as part of plans to plug leakages
• Commenced reconstruction of Lokoja township roads as part of its urban renewal effort
• Still in a running battle with leaders of the state chapter of his party over political appointments which is seen in many quarters as an unnecessary distraction.
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Abdulfatah Ahmed
Kwara
Kwara’s slow pace in the past year has been offset somewhat by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s inauguration of a verification committee to help reduce the wage bill of the state. This was an indicator that belt tightening policies would be the order of the day in the face of dwindling income from the Federal Government.
The committee succeeded in fishing out many ghost workers in some of the local government councils in the state.
The governor has also set up the Kwara Internal Revenue Service as he revealed his intention to run a fiscally responsible government. He recently paid N2.4billion to contractors handling over thirty-five road projects spread across the state.
Governor Ahmed announced that with the approval of the state’s N10 billion infrastructural development bond by the Debt Management Office (DMO), the government will soon kick-start projects which include the expansion of some major roads in the state capital, construction of two new campuses for Kwara State University in Ilesha-Baruba and Osi in Baruten and Ekiti local government areas respectively.
Others include construction of overhead bridge at Garin Alimi, construction of Kishi-Kaiama road, dualization of Michael Imoudu to Ganmo road in Ilorin, and construction, equipping and fitting of New KWASU School of Business and Governance. A series of renovations are also planned.
The state government has also commenced the final phase of Ilorin water reticulation project. Similarly, as part of its vision to develop the State Housing sector, Governor Ahmed in March this year flagged off the construction of a commercial complex known as The Hub in Ilorin.
The governor also flagged off the construction of 1000 housing units at Budo-Osho area of Ilorin. The Housing scheme will comprise 700 three-bedroom flats and 300 two-bedroom flats.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Housing deficit in the State
• Erratic power supply and overbilling
What the people want:
• Delivering on election promises
• Speedy completion of projects
What the governor has done or is doing:
• With the approval of the state’s N10 billion infrastructural development bond, the government plans to kick-start projects which include the expansion of some major roads in the state capital and construction of two new campuses for Kwara State University.
• The administration is also focusing on housing with the flag-off of the construction of 1000 housing units at Budo-Osho
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Akinwunmi Ambode
Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, specified that his policy thrust was built on a tripod with focus on security, infrastructure development and job creation.
But the first-six months of his administration were fraught with three intractable challenges, which indeed put his capacity to govern Africa’s model megacity to test. Just before he settled down for governance, Ambode was confronted with hydra-headed traffic gridlocks, gnawing insecurity and environmental nuisances. He provided strategic leadership, which relatively restored public order to the state.
Due to the state’s rising security challenges, Ambode donated security equipment worth N4.756 billion to the State Police Command. The equipment include three helicopters, two gunboats, 15 armed personnel carriers (APCs), 100 salon cars, 55 Ford Ranger Pick-ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-ups, 15 BMW power bikes and 100 power bikes among others.
This intervention, which was the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria, became imperative because the federal government could no longer fund the Nigeria Police effectively. By implication, official statistics showed that the intervention plunged the state’s crime rate by 65 percent in the last quarter of 2015.
He has also restructured and realigned the state’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) upon assuming office. As a result, the state government was able to save about N3 billion.
Likewise, the governor initiated “the Light up Lagos project.” He introduced this initiative on a notion that crime thrives best in darkness. Consequently, the State Electricity Board rehabilitated public street lighting in 366 locations covering a stretch of 600km roads.
During the electioneering, Ambode promised to construct two roads in each of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to mark his first anniversary in office. In this spirit, he inaugurated the construction of 114 roads at the cost of N17.5 billion. The projects are now at different stages of completion across the local councils.
The administration rehabilitated about 500 major roads, which Ambode said, largely unlocked intractable gridlocks that almost crippled the state’s economic activities in his first three months in office
Ambode has initiated different mega projects to be executed under the public-private partnership (PPP). Some of these projects include Fourth Mainland Bridge, Marina-Ikoyi-Lekki Monorail, Oshodi Transport Interchange, Lagos Medical Park and 8-lane Ikorodu-Epe road.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• A state buckling under the twin menaces of traffic jams and insecurity
What the people want:
• Attract investments from local and foreign interests
• Faster rate of infrastructural development to keep pace with population increase
• Job opportunities for the youth
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Massive investment in security to the tune of over N4 billion which official statistics shows has plunged insecurity by 65 percent in the last quarter of 2015.
• Embarked on Urban renewal through the light Lagos Up project which has seen the rehabilitation of public street lighting in 366 locations covering a stretch of 600km roads.
• Infrastructural development in the area of road construction and rehabilitation across the state.
• Initiation of mega projects to be executed under the public-private partnership such as the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Marina-Ikoyi-Lekki Monorail, Oshodi Transport Interchange, Lagos Medical Park and 8-lane Ikorodu-Epe road.
• Restructuring of the MDAs thereby saving the state about N3bn.
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Tanko Al-Makura
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has been hampered by dwindling finance and unfavourable economic climate.
The governor has targeted infrastructural development in his second term and consolidation on his modest achievements during his first term. The achievements in his first term include construction of about 800 kilometres of asphalted roads, three ultra-modern hospitals across the three senatorial zones, completion of 36 modern classrooms for “Taal” primary schools, completion of four modern market facilities, and infrastructural expansion of the Nasarawa State University in Keffi.
Al-Makura’s most conspicuous project in his second term so far has been the construction of a Cargo Airport in Lafia, which the governor believes would “open the economy of the state for enhanced investment and better fortunes for the people.”
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Inadequate attention to rural development, particularly, roads.
• Little economic activities.
• Low internally generated revenue.
What the people want:
• Incentives to boost economic activities.
• Employment, especially, for the youth.
• More attention to rural development and development of the transport sector.
• Deliberate effort to improve the welfare of workers.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Al Makura has embarked on several road projects to link communities
• Focusing on education, particularly building of primary schools and expansion of facilities at the state owned university
• Construction of Cargo airport to facilitate trade, though many view it as a misplaced priority.
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Abubakar Bello
Niger
About three months ago the administration began a massive road construction programme in Minna, the State capital, and other roads in the 25 local government headquarters. Roads such as the Makera-Kwangila which has remained impassable for decades is now being reconstructed ditto the road from the NNPC mega station to the Brighter International School where residents have had to literarily swim through ponds of water during raining season to get to other parts of the State capital.
The construction of the Abdulkadir Kure Ultramodern market-Sabongari road which the last administration of Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu commenced and terminated at Obasanjo shopping complex roundabout is also nearing completion.
The administration has also been able to award the contract for the patching of the potholes on the Minna-Suleja road which is a federal road project.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Heavy dependence on Federal allocation
• Dilapidation of courts and abandonment of the judiciary in its entirety by successive governments in the State.
What the people want:
• Improved IGR to be able to meet development goals and welfare needs of the people
What the governor has done or is doing:
• It took the government several months to even find its bearing or take-off after inauguration. It has however commenced road construction and rehabilitation. Even though heavy dependence on allocation from federation account have been a major challenge, there is not any clear indication that the administration has devised a way out.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Ibikunle Amosun
Ogun
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has continued the development projects started during his first term across the 20 local government areas of the state. Recently, the governor inaugurated 40 projects to mark the 40th anniversary of the state. The projects include shopping malls, flyovers, roads, schools and hospitals.
But the administration has been confronted by declining allocations from the Federation Account and low internally generated revenue. This has affected the execution of capital projects. It has also led to defaults on the part of the government on payment of workers’ salary, including cooperative deductions, contributory pension fund, Ileya/Easter deductions and other deductions.
The secretary of Ogun State Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Modiu Bello, recently accused the state government of failing to pay four months’ deductions made from workers’ salaries in October, November, December 2014 and January 2015.
However, the road and fly over constructions in major towns of the state have continued to be commissioned by the governor. Amosun has attracted industries and foreign investors to the state, and he has tried to fulfil promises made to provide quality housing, which is one of the five cardinal programmes of his administration.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Many uncompleted infrastructural projects.
• Disagreement with workers over salary deductions.
• Widespread allegations of excessive focus on huge infrastructural projects and neglect of the people’s welfare.
What the people want:
• A reasonable balance between attention to infrastructural development and people’s welfare.
• Prompt remittance or payment of deductions from worker’ salaries.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Massive road construction projects across the state, some of which had been commissioned.
• The administration embarked on investment drive that has seen some companies relocating to the state.
• The administration has achieved a steady rise in the IGR
• It has however been unable to devise a method that would ensure salaries are paid as and when due.
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Olusegun Mimiko
Ondo
Governor Olusegun Mimiko has made expansions and innovations in critical areas like education, road construction and rehabilitation, and youth and women empowerment the priority of his government. The administration has engaged in road rehabilitation in several parts of the state through the use of the Ondo State Road Maintenance Company (OSARMCO). The agency carried out rehabilitation of many township roads in Akure, the state capital, Ondo, Okitipupa, Irele, and other towns. The government has also ensured that work resumed on the dualisation of Akure-Oba-Ile-Airport Road.
In the area of education, the government has ensured the takeoff of the newly established University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo. Mega primary schools have also been completed and inaugurated.
In the area of healthcare, the government’s Safe Motherhood programme (ABIYE) being run to cater for pregnant women and children under five years of age has been sustained. There is also the Youth Empowerment Programme through the State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA).
However, the administration has suffered popularity problems due to the irregular payment of workers’ salaries. Workers in the state are being owed almost five months’ salary arrears, and the issue has caused confrontations between labour unions and the government.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Many uncompleted projects.
• Slowdown in the execution of capital projects.
What the people want:
• More prudent management of the state’s resources.
• Better and more creative means of revenue generation.
• Greater attention to agriculture.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Creation of a development roadmap
• Infrastructural development in the area of road construction and urban renewal
• Focusing on the health sector with the improvement in health facilities, establishment of University of Medical Sciences, and introduction of Safe Motherhood programme for pregnant women.
• Focus on education with the building of mega schools.
• The administration still owes workers several months of unpaid salaries and has not device a way to address this issue.
GREEN: Clear vision, promising start
Rauf Aregbesola
Osun
The administration has made investment in the construction of schools.
These have however been overshadowed by the controversy over the use of hijab by school children, a crisis which many believed was caused by the education policy of the state government which involves a unified school system. There are fears that a dangerous seed is being planted in the minds of these school children which could in future lead to serious religious crisis in the state. Also worthy of note is the inability of the state government to meet its obligations to workers in terms of payment of salaries.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• No serious efforts to restructure education and particularly there was poor school infrastructure
• There was a booming economy even though the internally generated revenue was at a low ebb
• Inadequate road infrastructure
• Workers’ salaries were regular
• There was peaceful co-existence
What the people want:
• Settlement of salary arrears and regular payment of salaries
• People of the state believe in stomach infrastructure than embarking on gigantic projects that are causing economic hardship
• The people want commissioners to be appointed so they could reap the benefit of democracy
• They want the crisis arising from wearing of hijabs in schools resolved amicably
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration has carried out massive road projects across the state
• The state government has made huge investment in education particularly in the area of construction of school buindings and rehabilitation of exisiting ones.
• Its innovative school feeding system and the introducation of learning tablets in schools have become points of reference in the country.
RED: Non-starter, go back to drawing board
Abiola Ajimobi
Oyo
During Ajimobi’s first tenure, he scored many firsts in the area of road dualisation across the length and breadth of the state.
Many roads in the state were rehabilitated while new ones were also constructed. The administration has continued in this line, though on a slower pace.
Staff welfare is however an area that is making Ajimobi’s government unpopular in the face of the masses. Workers are being owed salaries from February till date. Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Roads were steadily deteriorating as the governor’s initial pace slacked
What the people want:
• Better roads
• Improved worker’s welfare
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration is focusing on infrastructure, though it has continued to engage in running battle with labour over payment of salaries.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Simon Lalong
Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong’s major campaign promise to workers of the state government was to ensure that the backlog of salaries owed them by the previous administration was cleared. He has tried to fulfill that promise, despite the poor state of the state economy and the decrease in federal allocations to the state.
Lalong has done well in the area of peace and security, as tension among the state’s diverse ethnic, political and religious groups has reduced considerably. He achieved this through an inclusive strategy involving all major stakeholders, particularly, the herdsmen and farmers. Friction between the two groups is a major source of crisis in the state.
The governor has also continued many projects inherited from his predecessor, especially, road construction.
However, the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries has remained a challenge for his administration.
Lalong has also not done well in terms of taking democracy to the grassroots. He has dismantled the local government structure he met on ground and appointed management committees to oversee the councils with a promise to conduct elections to install democratically-elected chairmen. But about three times, the tenures of the committees have been renewed due to inability of the government to conduct the elections.
The reason he has repeatedly advanced is lack of funds to carry out the elections. For similar reasons, the governor has failed to appoint special advisers and assistants to join him in running the government.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Incessant bloody communal conflicts and insecurity.
• Poor revenue base and unpaid workers’ salary arrears.
• Many uncompleted projects.
What the people want:
• Prompt payment of workers’ salaries.
• Continuous improvement in efforts to ensure security of life and property.
• Enhanced inter-communal and inter-religious harmony.
• More attention to entrepreneurship and industrialisation programmes.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Working to complete all road project inherited from past administration
• Working to addressing the issue of unpaid salaries inherited from past administration
• Focusing on security through peace-building efforts among the various ethnic tribes in the state
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Nyesom WIke
Rivers
Governor Nyesom Wike has gone some way in fulfilling promises to focus on development of infrastructure and urban renewal, re-opening shut institutions like the state judiciary and house of assembly, as well as tackling the rising incidence of insecurity and cult activities.
His administration has reconstructed more than 70km of roads within Port Harcourt metropolis, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Eleme and Oyigbo local government areas of the state.
Also through the Operation Zero Potholes programme of his administration, Wike has restored 42 roads in the Diobu suburb of Port Harcourt.
The governor has also kept his promise of completing projects, especially roads, started by his predecessor, Chibuike Amaechi.
On assumption of office, he cleared the backlog of four months’ salary arrears of civil servants and six months of pension arrears. And also re-opened the courts that had been shut for about one year as well as re-opening the state house of assembly complex that was shut since July 2013.
However the major challenge of insecurity facing his administration has continued unabated with killings by suspected cultists in Orashi and Ogoni areas of the state as well as Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
Wike has announced that the State Government is building an ICT compliant security infrastructure to help fight crime and empower the security agencies to be more proactive.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Uncompleted projects by past administration
• Backlog of salary arrears
What the people want:
• Improved security
• Prompt payment of salaries
• Completion of monorail project
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration cleared the backlog of four months’ salary arrears of civil servants and six months of pension arrears
• Infrastructural and urban renewal particularly in the area of road construction. The governor also continued the road projects initiated by the past administration.
• Reopening of courts shut during the controversy that trailed the appointment of chief judge by the past administration and the reopening of the house of assembly which was shut in 2013 following the face-off between the executive end legislature.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Aminu Tambuwal
Sokoto
Since Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal took over the mantle of leadership in Sokoto last year, the focus of his administration has been on completing on-going projects started by his predecessor Senator Aliyu Wamakko. In fact, Tambuwal had during his inauguration last year declared that he would accord priority to completing projects left by his predecessor rather than embarking on new projects. He believed that abandoning such projects would not augur well for the state.
Some of the uncompleted projects left by the past administration that are worth several billions of naira include College of Midwifery Tambuwal, the N1.7 billion College of Agriculture Wurno, School of Legal Studies Wamakko and 500 housing units comprising three-bedroom flats at Gidan Manada area of Sokoto metropolis, road projects among others.
Already, the Tambuwal administration had paid most of the contractors handling these projects across the state which enabled them to go back to the site. Thus, at the moment the on-going work at the College of Agriculture Wurno, College of Midwifery and School of Legal Studies had reached advanced stage of completion and would soon be inaugurated by Tambuwal. Similarly, the on-going construction of 500 housing units at Gidan Manada area is moving at a very fast pace.
Despite the emphasis on completing old projects, Tambuwal identified education and agriculture as key sectors that could transform the lives of people of the state.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Uncompleted projects
• Ghost worker (unscheduled workers) in 23 local government
• Huge wage bills of N1.6 billion
• Diversion of fertilisers by cartel
What the people want:
• The farmers, which constitute 85 per cent of the people of the state, want cheap fertiliser and tools
• Because of current economic realities, the people want safety net to mitigate poverty
• They want tuition for schools to be free
What the governor has done or is doing:
• The administration is focused on complete all projects inherited from the past administration to avoid the problem of abandoned projects
• Focusing on agriculture and in collaboration with a company, a Fertilizer plant with a capacity to produce 100,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer is to be established in the state; a tomato processing factory is also about to be built in partnership with a company
• The governor has made education a priority, allocating about 30 per cent of the entire 2016 budget for the education sector, 4 per cent above UNESCO’s recommendation of 26 per cent. The administration is almost completing on-going work at the College of Agriculture Wurno, College of Midwifery and School of Legal Studies
• To tackle housing problem, the government embarked on construction of 500 housing units which is progressing steadily
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
Darius Ishaku
Taraba
Governor Darius Ishaku came to power with a promise to rescue the state from underdevelopment and make it attain its full potential by harnessing the abundant human and material resources in the state. His major policy direction has been the restoration of peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic blocs across the state, security, resolution and prevention of inter-communal crisis, safe return and rehabilitation of displaced persons. The governor’s popular slogan to the people of the state, “give me peace and I will give you development.”
But he has been hindered by falling revenues and communal clashes, which have resulted in loss of lives and enormous destruction of property.
On assumption of office, Ishaku unveiled a power plant for Mambilla Beverages Company, just as he commenced the construction of the second phase of the power project which is to equally generate additional 330 kilowatts. Besides the power project, he procured an ultra-modern Cut, Tear and Curt (CTC) machine to boost the operations of the company.
In the area of road construction, the administration has constructed a 6.5 kilometres entrance road from Takum to Katsina-Ala in Benue State and a double carriage way from Jalingo to Kona as well as the reconstruction and dualisation of Market road, including the reconstruction of Magami road.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Lack of basic infrastructure, particularly roads, water and power, as more than half of the local government headquarters were not connected to the national grid.
• Frequent ethno-religious clashes, which hampered development, especially, in the local government areas in the Southern zone.
What the people want:
• More proactive efforts to tackle insecurity, particularly, ethno-religious related killings, which have become persistent and remain the greatest challenge of the administration. Efforts to return displaced persons to their ancestral homes have been largely futile due to the incessant attacks and killings of the returnees.
• Creative efforts to increase internally generated revenue.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Steps to bring the state-owned Mambilla Beverages Company to the path of profitability
• Construction and rehabilitation of some roads
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Ibrahim Gaidam
Yobe
Like his Borno State counterpart, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has braved terrible odds to deliver governance in the face of Boko Haram terrorism and declining revenues. But he has tried to cope by streamlining government ministries to cut cost and tackled head-on the menace of ghost workers. This has enabled his government to achieve the feat of being among the few that have constantly paid workers’ salaries.
The government is working on rebuilding communities affected by the Boko Haram crisis.
In northern Yobe, constructed roads include the Nguru-Machina road, trans-Saharan road project from Kanamma-Machina, which is nearly completed, and Gashua-Yusufari, Bayamari-Yunusari.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Many communities were destroyed and occupied by Boko Haram insurgents.
• IDPs camps in Damaturu were mainly overpopulated, with a lot of pressure on amenities.
• Run down infrastructure in many parts of the state.
What the people want:
• More effort to resettle the previously displaced persons now being told to return to their communities.
• Better guarantee of security in the communities through improved equipment of the police and other law enforcement agencies as well as the local vigilantes.
What the governor has done or is doing:
• With several communities liberated from insurgents by the military, the state administration has commenced the rebuilding and of devastated communities hindered by insurgency in its first term, the governor has embarked on road projects particularly in the Northern part of the state.
• It is also focusing on the health sector with the construction of a 200-bed hospital, with capacity to perform 10 surgical operations simultaneously, which is now being equipped.
YELLOW: Work in progress, no clear results
Abdulaziz Yari
Zamfara
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara has spent five years in office, having won election on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) after defeating former governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 elections. He was re-elected in the 2015 elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term.
Yari was re-elected on the popular will of the majority of the electorate. Most of the people in the state believed things would be turned round after what they described as the failure of the former governor Shinkafi to make things better for them.
Yari’s administration has made giant strides in providing good road networks to the towns and rural areas especially the farming communities in the state. Hundreds of kilometres of roads had been constructed linking many communities in the hinterlands. Governor Yari opened up many towns and villages by constructing good road networks. Residents of some villages and towns that never dreamt of having asphalted roads had got it. In fact, no other governor in the history of the state gave priority to road projects more than him.
Township roads projects are being carried out in all the 14 local government areas of the state. Yari also spent billions of naira on the semi-urban water scheme and this is the first of its type in the state. Unlike his mentor and former governor Senator Ahmed Yarima, whose policy of human empowerment is still remembered by the people of the state, Yari preferred to lay emphasis on the provision of infrastructure with the available resources.
Where the state was on the governor’s assumption of office:
• Even though there is low crime in Zamfara, cattle rusting is a big challenge
• In Gusau the state capital, water is an issue
• Low enrolment in schools and dilapidated education facilities
• Economic activities are low in the state and as such, nearly everyone rely on salaries and hand-out from government.
What the people want:
• The people are agitating for good road infrastructure
• Farmers want to improve their farming with better tools and fertilisers
• The workers enjoying the N18,000 minimum wage. That’s why the workers are always at loggerhead with the governor
• The state is facing acute shortage of medical personnel and equipment, therefore the people want improved healthcare services
What the governor has done or is doing:
• Provision of good road networks to the towns and rural areas especially the farming communities in the state
• The administration has embarked on urban water scheme to address the problem of portable water supply.
Verdict:BLUE – Good vision, slow start
