A universally accepted
paradigm of human behaviour is characterised by the notion of rationality.
However, it is also widely recognized that the 'rational' behaviour of an
individual is tempered by the institutional environment in which the individual
lives and works. The institutional environment or structure comprises, inter
alia, socio-cultural, economic, legal and political norms. Everyone looks at
reality from where they are standing, what they are seeing, hearing and
reading. But with a notion of nothing good comes out of government and the
worldview of “them versus us”, that is, “those in government and those outside
government”, constructive criticism is difficult to come by.
Most
Deltans don’t seem to understand the nature of their State. Competing demands for modern infrastructure
among the different communities across the State is more potent in Delta than many
other States in the country. This is because, virtually every local government
headquarter and major towns see themselves in the same light as Asaba in the
demand for infrastructure. But in most other States, the state capitals are
largely the only or the main centres of development. That is why satisfying the
competing demands for development by all communities remains the greatest
challenge for governance in the State, particularly with lower revenue.
At all times,
the government of the day must play the game of balancing the siting of development
projects across the State. As such, it is not easy to be abreast with the overall
development of the State at a glance. This is especially so, because the local
government headquarters and the major towns in the State have not formed a conurbation,
as we have in most parts of Lagos. In Delta State, it is not easy for a
resident of Ughelli to have a correct assessment of the development projects in
Issele-uku or other places outside the few places they have firsthand knowledge
of. This, easily allows for pejorative judgment.
When
people discuss Lagos State, they are only discussing developments in the
metropolis. Apart from the advantage of being a former federal capital, I doubt
if they know the level of development of towns like Epe, Agbowa, Ejirin, Erode and
even Ikorodu, among many others. Even in Rivers State, it is all about Port
Harcourt. In Delta State that would be totally impossible.
Retired
American business executive and chemical engineer, Jack Welch had the
story of Delta State in mind when he said that "great leaders create a
vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly
drive it to completion". Governor Okowa has relentlessly driven his
policies and programmers in the past two years with focus. In doing so, he has always
been guided by the balancing act in the development process in the State.
His
administration has made great strides in virtually all sectors in line with his
determination to fulfill his campaign promises. The major pillars of Governor Okowa's
administration include, wealth creation, poverty alleviation, job creation, infrastructure
consolidation and political inclusion.
May 2015 to date can be rightly described
as the most interesting period in the State's history, characterized by a
blight in the State's resources and defined by the can -do spirit of a leader
who believes that whatsoever the mind conceives can be achieved. The past two
years has been awe inspiring as the State can boast of tangible growth and
development in all sectors of the economy, despite the disastrous fall in Revenue.
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