2023: Jackrich vows to enthrone transparency in governance if elected Rivers Governor
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
Governorship hopeful under the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in Rivers State, Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich, has lamented the lack of transparency and accountability in governance of the current leadership of Rivers led by Barr. Nyesom Wike, vowing to reverse the trend if given the mandate in 2023 general elections.
Jackrich stated this on Saturday in Port Harcourt when he formally declared his intention to join the 2023 governorship race in the State on the platform of NRM.
He said his transparency and accountability model shall cut across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, wondering how the budget of a State like Rivers should remain a secret document since the inception of the Wike led administration, seven years ago.
“Rivers State has been under economic siege under successive administrations, economically, we seem to have retrogressed to about 18th century.
Government should have a functional administrative system such that you don’t necessarily need to have any connection with the governor to benefit from the system.
“However, the situation in our hands under the present administration is such that, the only functional office in the state is the office of the Governor, that is the only office that decides who gets a contract, as well as determines the vendors to work with the contractor. Rivers people, it is time to rise up and resist this impunity,” he said.
The NRM governorship flag bearer further said that, “If given the mandate, what my administration will do is simple, we will first of open up the system to ensure transparency and accountability by ensuring the functionality of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
“Transparency and accountability will be our watch word. We will lead by example. We will not hesitate to open our books and records for the purpose of financial scrutiny.
“We received a lot of backlash a few years ago when we raised the alarm of the whereabout of our N118bn withdrawn by officials of the Rivers State government without being accounted for, but recent move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have declared the government officials wanted has vindicated us.
“We have been demanding for accountability from this present administration not because we disrespect them, we love them, but we cannot sacrifice our future and that of our children just so we can be in their good books,” Jackrich said.
He equally promised to create jobs for the teeming population of unemployed youths,as well as pay bursary to students of Rivers origin if elected into office as Governor in 2023.
In his speech at the event, National Chairman of NRM, Amb. Isaac Udeh, said Jackrich was the sole governorship candidate of the party in Rivers State, having paid his dues in the growth and development of the party.
“The kind of popularity exhibited by Jackrich in Abuja was so alarming. I want to appreciate Rivers people for standing by this man. On behalf of the National leadership of NRM, we love and appreciate him so much.
“I want to let him know that he has no competitor of bearing the flag of our great party. He has paid his dues and we want to pay him back.
“The only thing I want us to know, especially my students, there is a revolution we want in Rivers State, Ballot Box Revolution with your Permanent Voters Card (PVC). It was demonstrated in Anambra State and it worked. Even with their money, they lost to Soludo. If your love Rivers State, go and get your PVC,” Udeh said.
