Barely eleven (11) weeks from now, the year 2014 will move into oblivion. It will only be remembered by historians and those who have fade knowledge in history. 2015 will be a very crucial year in the history of Nigeria. It is a year when eligible and qualified Nigerians will decide those that will administer the affairs of Nigeria in the next four (4) years.
Politicians have began consultation whether to contest or not in 2015 general elections. Many of them have seen the green light to pursue their political ambition. Leadership of different registered political parties had released their guidelines in conduct of primaries. As the days of the parties’ primaries get closer, the governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, few weeks ago at Degema Consulate, headquarters of the Degema Local Government Area, described politicians seeking for elective positions, especially the governorship aspirants from Kalabari ethnic nationality as “buccaneers”. The governor must have his reasons of labeling the Kalabari governorship aspirants as buccaneers. Buccaneer in its simplest term means a thief or a sea pirate.
Unequivocally, there are so many “buccaneers” in the council administration in Rivers State that are hindering positive and laudable development at the grassroots.
Before the inauguration of the members of the Caretaker committee (CTC) in Rivers Councils, several former LGAs chairmen did operate without budgets. They spent public funds recklessly.
The essence of continued existence of local government administration is for the development of the grassroots.
However, developmental projects and programmes are absence in the rural communities due to nonchalant attitude of the council administrators towards uplifting the living standard of the rural dwellers.
Council chairmen and councilors are living in mansions while the constituents are facing abject poverty. The local government councils administrators siphon money meant for the development into their private bank accounts. These are some of the characteristics of buccaneers.
Thus we have more buccaneers in the councils parading themselves as chairmen and councilors, squandering people’s fund and driving the best cars in town. ###
Damiete West
08037502931
wdamiete@yahoo.com
