Prince Thomas Abi Jr|3 April 2016|6:35am
It is no news that Cross River State received a paltry sum of less than 1 billion Naira from the federation account for the month of February. With the dwindling economy in the country as a result of the low sales of crude oil it is expected that Cross River State government begins to look for means of generating huge revenue for the State.
The appointees of Governor Ayade must think big and bring big and bold ideas to the table. Ideas that are geared towards removing the State from the present quagmire it is experiencing. The aides of Governor Ayade must as a matter of urgency reflect on the policy thrust of their principal which I do understand is putting food on the table of the people of the State, improving the economy, reducing poverty and hunger, quality education, health-care and many more.
But the truth is, all these can not be achieved if the appointees of Governor Ayade continue to pose a nonchallant attitude towards governance. The State can not consolidate to the next level of its developmental drive if the aides continue to praise themselves on Facebook instead of focusing on how to create wealth, changing the status quo of the State and improving the lives of the ordinary man.
For the State to move forward, the appointees of the Governor must be properly lectured on the true essence of their appointments and also actually let them know their job description. They must have a policy direction and a template on what should be achieved during their stay as political appointees. The task of salvaging the state from economic degradation has been placed on their shoulders and they must work towards achieving them. This is no time for merriment but a time to bring bold and big ideas. Ideas that are very achievable, technologically savvy and less expensive to implement or run.
The appointees of Governor Ayade must be given drills on the true rudiments of handling public office. They must understand that public office is troubling. And leadership is all about adding value to the society. The appointees must also understand that they have the capacity to influence policies for the benefit of the people of Cross River State. They must understand that the image of this government is seen through them. If they fail to deliver on the task they were given then Governor Ayade has failed. This is no time for self enrichment but a time to deliver on the mandate of the present administration. They must work. They must task their brains. Cross River State needs money, the State needs wealth, we need to change our mentality of getting into public office for just ourselves and families alone. No! That ideology must stop. All stakeholders in Cross River State must work towards the growth of the State and not underdeveloping the State or impoverishing the good people of Cross River State through looting from government covers. The appointees must also have it in mind that leadership is all about protecting the political, social, economic interest of the citizenry and not to oppress or destroy or steal from the public.
The present administration must charge all those who have appointments with the state to bring in ideas that will change the economic fortunes of the state. It is only natural that they rack their brains, make findings and solutions to the many impending problems challenging the State, guiding the citizens to economic prosperity and not wasting time on frivolities.
The present administration must also purge out all unproductive eggs and bring in very savvy people into the system, technocrats, think tanks, and intellectuals and not those without a vision, drive, passion and character to effectively govern and manage the present economic situation in the state.
Governor Ayade also must understand that power belongs to the people, and the earlier he identifies those who can deliver on his mandate the better. He has to work closely with very smart and intelligent persons in his government. People who share equal vision with him. Who are poised to move the state to the next eldorado of our developmental drive and not those without a clear cut out policy direction. The governor must understand that government is not a tree but those who are in the government make up the government and it is the institution or infrastructure of government that is the bedrock of any economy. Those who are in a government must be intelligentsia with the requisite knowledge to move the state from a civil service state to a more industrialized state.
On many occasions I have asked myself why the governor travels himself in search of investors when he has aides in his government. The appointees must be drilled to face the rigors of governance. They must be challenged to embrace the challenges ahead and do everything possible to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of Cross River State.
The State has a lot of natural endowment. The aides of governor Ayade must think deep and channel their energy towards creating wealth for the State. Wealth for the greater good of the entire people of Cross River State. Maybe they do not understand the positions they are currently handling. They have been charged with the powers to bring in investors into the State. Speak on behalf of the government and good people of the State. Probably they do not know and understand that fact that is why they are still very docile on what to do and how to work on their new offices as representatives of government.
In achieving rapid and robust economic boom in the government of Governor Ayade, I will advice that a retreat be held at the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort on the importance of producing result in public office and what is expected of them.
It may seem there is still time but the truth be told we have less than 2 years to achieve any policy the government intends to achieve or actualize.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affair Analyst/Social Commentator
