Rivers State of possibilities: Governor Wike may look at welfare matters now that his Government has put projects in place.Could it be that the Wike administration might be contemplating a welfare package for the unemployed?
There are signs, given the tone of Governor Nyesom Wike’s comment at a public function, that the government may likely think of such a possibility.
Already, the State government is considering what the Rivers Governor referred to as “stomach infrastructure”.
Details of how government will proceed with a policy that is expected to put a little more money in the hands of ordinary people are to be worked out, according to the Governor.
Unemployment:
The Rivers State is among states in the federation with a high rate of unemployed youths.
According to the statistics on Nigeria’s labour force released by the NBS for 2nd quarter (Q2) of 2020, Rivers State has a total number of 1.7 million (1,714,188) unemployed people.
Ironically, corporate businesses which ought to generate employment and create wealth have been packing up and leaving Nigeria.
Many are blaming growing hunger and insecurity, criminal tendencies in the cities, cyber crimes on the internet as well as the growth of the cult movement, which is giving rise to militancy and banditry, for the nation’s worsening unemployment problem.
Wike warned a young man who is in the habit of illegally collecting revenue from companies operating in the Trans Amadi Industrial Estate to desist from carrying on with his nefarious activities.
He said he would heavily descend on the man that is busy claiming to be close to him, if the illegal tax collector does not put a stop to his actions.
The infrastructure being placed in the State by the Wike administration, the urban renewal project as well as steps that are designed to streamline taxes and guarantee effective policing are part of moves to reposition the State and attract investments.
Rivers State appears to be winning the fight to bring down crime within its boundaries.
But, as the governor noted a few days ago, there is truly no society where crime has been completely eradicated.
With the way things look, Wike may be thinking seriously of what to do about unemployment matters.
Those who know the governor say he has the political will and the ability to get things done.
Somehow, the governor may have to look at the number of unemployed persons and the empirical cost to the system, if such youths are to be considered as part of the welfare arrangement that his government might be planning to float.
Stomach infrastructure:
From physical infrastructure to stomach infrastructure.
Those whose language is the language of stomach infrastructure are found lurking around the corridors of power.
They are members of the political class who are believed to make things happen at the wards, local government areas and the state in course of elections.
While hope is rising amongst members of the political class, there are growing expectations too from youthful elements who are unemployed.
Governor Wike whose comments have been resonating in and outside Rivers State is helping to raise such hopes among this class of people.
Speaking last week at a commissioning event, the Governor specifically alluded to the fact that there are places, maybe not within the shores of Nigeria, where persons who are unemployed are catered for by the system.
Wike did not say he would come up with a welfare policy.
However, his allusion to the upkeep of the unemployed in other climes has raised hopes that a cross section of the people would be affected by the resolve by the Rivers Governor to give something back to the people who have supported him.
No be so? Melembe! Melembe!!
Saying he asked for much needed understanding from the people to work for the State, Wike disclosed he is now ready to work directly with the people in order to ensure they are able to feed themselves and fill the tummies of their children.
He revealed that when his administration came into being, there were people in favour of the idea to share money from day one.
The Governor said he disagreed with such an approach to governance and rather chose to vigorously develop the State.
Now that he has achieved most of the promises that he made to the people, Wike observed it is time is “to play the politics of stomach infrastructure.”
“No be so ooo!”, Wike asked the crowd which had broken into wild cheers at the mention of stomach infrastructure.
The Rivers strongman, Governor Nyesom Wike assuring supporters of stomach infrastructure. Will unemployed youths also receive attention at this time?“Na sooooo”, the crowd replied while the vocalist of the band broke into familiar songs, including one that implored the people to “take your problem to Wike and leave it there.”
“Melembe! Melembe!!”, Wike who was on top of the situation roared as he drove his message home.
Melembe! Melembe!!”, the crowd fired back in anticipation, hopes rising across the State as Wike prepares to launch another phase of government activity known as stomach infrastructure.