Princewill Odidi|21 November 2015|5:50am
I may have disagreed remarkably with Liyel Imoke on some project preference, but Imoke was very
stable in terms of policy direction. He never wavered and in making policy judgement he placed all options on the table and took a longterm position for the good of all.
His extensive experience in government and administration ranging from a brief stint in Senate,
to SA to Obasanjo on Public Utilities, to being a federal minister before assuming office as governor
may have been a plus.
While he may have attempted to create a legacy with the Convention Center which I opposed, the only true legacy I would ascribe to Imoke's 20 years from now is Songhai farms. Songhai farms is a classic display of policy success.
From information gathered, products from this farm are in the markets, some exported and others on the shelves of department stores.
To ensure policy success, one would have expected that we would have focused on opening more Songhai farms in every local government in
Cross River State to create product synergy and improved markets.
The Songhai framework is a workable farm practice with ability to create jobs. Why abandon such a
great concept for new non tested initiatives?
Why seek new agricultural farm investments when we can place that burden of attracting additional
investment into the state on the shoulders of Songhai? The international investment society will be more willing to provide increased or new lines of credit to
Songhai farms other than open up new farms in Cross River State
because they are already on ground.
Giving Songhai the role to drive agricultural investments into the state is the right policy direction even if the government would need to open new guarantees for the farms investment drive.
Songhai can comfortably drive our rice city and attract better funding for other agricultural investments.
Governments become more efficient if it focuses on basic social services rather than being a master of all trades. The focus of government at this stage should be on healthcare, improved primary healthcare, improved primary and secondary education, coordinate our environmental cleanliness and provide public safety of life and property.
16 years running carnival, by now the carnival should be self sustaining. If you still have to
subsidize a business venture after 16 years you think twice. Carnival by now should be able to fund
itself and provide additional income to spread to other sectors.
At a time when our schools are failing, young people grossly unemployed, streets are dilapidated, our roads breaking up, our hospitals poorly run, some without syringes and cotton wool, this is time we
define our priorities. Street parties are great and new investment drives are wonderful, but sit back and consider the sufferings of the people.
Investing in the lives of the people directly through micro credit loans so they can start small
businesses and feed their children and pay their rents in my judgement should be given priority if we
must move forward as a people.
Princewill Odidi
Is a Development Consultant
residing in the United States.
