IS A GOVERNOR OR PRESIDENT OMNIPRESENT AND UBIQUITOUS?

When you move around Warri and Effurun most of the roads are deplorable, potholes and gutters on the centre of roads. But when you listen to discussions on the state of the roads, the blame is easily cast on the Governor. But the questions are: Is the Governor omnipresent and ubiquitous? Secondly, what is the role of the representatives of the people that is the legislators?

The Governor of a State or the President of a country are not ubiquitous, as such may not get to know about the particular difficulty or challenge of all the communities in the State or country at one fell swoop. That is why, every democracy recognizes the importance and overriding role of representatives elected to represent the various State and Federal constituencies, which are made up of different communities.

The essential duty of the representative is to articulate and aggregate the needs and challenges of the various communities in their constituency, and bring them to the attention of government. When you visit some communities, the critical question becomes: DO THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE REPRESENTATIVES?

The first line for drawing attention of government to bad roads, dilapidated school or hospital buildings among others is the representatives of those constituencies and communities.

But rather than seek for the general interest of their constituencies, representation has over the years turned into the pursuit of self-interest. By bringing into existence the concept of community projects, representatives were supposed to be guided by the needs of their constituencies. But as it is today, representatives are less concerned about the constituencies. They pick constituency projects based on their pecuniary interest and profitability. They do this, because they are also the executors of those projects.

Without doubt, once that happens, the projects cannot stand the test of time, because those executing them are the same people who are to critically question standards. On the hand, most projects that the representatives chose to execute have little or no impact on the generality of the constituents; it is either a street, lane or close of the representative or friends.

The second line of those who can draw government attention to difficulties and challenges in their communities are the members of the society. There is nothing wrong if you post the images of a bad road, dilapidated school and hospital buildings on social media. By so doing you are only performing your civic duty of calling the attention of government to the issue.

Criticism is the sandpaper that smoothens and brings out the best in an individual, organization and government. It is the responsibility of the governed to point out challenges faced by their communities and bring such to the attention of government. But to do so with revilement, abuses, insults and vilification is utterly wrong and unacceptable. Unnecessary insinuation of negligence does not help any cause.