Anambra: The leeches are back

AN Igbo adage says that, “Onye amara ebe mmiri siri maba ya adi ama ebe onoro madobe ya”, meaning, he who does not know where rain started beating him, doesn’t know where it stopped. For a state like Anambra we had the misfortune of having people of questionable character  dominated her affairs in the past.

But  God intervened using Dr. Chris Ngige to rescue the state and subsequently Mr. Peter Obi who as governors ensured that the state’s resources were well managed and husbanded for the benefit of all.

In the present dispensation, news is beginning to filter out that perhaps a weak link already exists in the chain of influence and command, as some unscrupulous elements are now utilising their closeness to the wife of the governor or the governor himself to milk the state dry. This is a dangerous signal considering the dwindling resources at the federal and most states in Nigeria. A situation where individuals who can hardly add any value to the administration of the state are now nominating contractors or acting as proxies to those in power or close to power will ultimately do more harm than good.

It is expected that Governor Willie Obiano having returned from America on the eve of the election to assume office ought to have done a background check on people he chooses to associate with in running the affairs of the state. Indeed, he ought to have understudied the modus operandi of his predecessor who discharged his duties creditably, by doing away with people who constituted liabilities and became waste pipes on the state. This approach enabled him to deliver on his election promises and resources were made available for the overall development of the state.

Governor Obiano has a historic opportunity to ensure that he leaves Anambra state better than he met it, and he cannot achieve this without plugging all the loopholes of wasteful spending. In doing this, he must bear in mind that he is in office based on trust for all indigenes and residents of Anambra state and should ensure that every kobo is well accounted for.

Anambra State should not be a safe haven for champagne drinkers, womanisers and luxury living individuals. While it is lawful for anyone to spend his or her money as he deems fit, but this should not be at the expense of the collective scarce resources of the state. Governor Obiano himself having lived in the United States and an accomplished banker ought to know that every cent must count and avenues for free or easy money must be closed.

These are precarious times in the economic life of the country as many states are incapable of meeting their basic financial obligations, such as payment of salaries and pensions and Anambra State cannot afford to descend into abyss on account of the activities of cronies, influence peddlers, in-laws and close relatives. The business of governing a state like Anambra is a serious one and the trust which the people repose in their governor should not be lost on Obiano.

It will be lamentable if we continue to patronise individuals without conscience who parade themselves in the corridors of power just for their pecuniary interests. The case of Abia State in recent past is still fresh in our minds where the former governors wasted the resources of the state on frivolities and a state which ordinarily should rank among A States in development became poverty stricken.

Obiano has a chance to retrace his steps by re-evaluating the activities of all emergency “contractors”, relations and friends who flock around him and sing unending praises. He should learn from the recent arraignment of former governors by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and bear in mind that the people of Anambra will definitely demand accountability at the end his tenure. A stitch in time saves nine.

It is expected that in managing the affairs of the state, that global practices in terms of contract procurement must be adopted to avoid contractors with no pedigree and dubious backgrounds from using Anambra as a safe haven. The responsibility of providing good, reliable, accountable and equitable leadership rests with the governor and nobody else. As it is presently, some calling the shots in the state today are people allegedly without credibility and any iota of patriotic zeal to see to the overall development of the state. Their past is well known to the people of the state, and time has come for the governor to immediately disband them. No effort should be spared to discourage them from depending on the resources of the state for their luxury living and selfish predisposition.

We have to bear in mind that our people desire rapid development and their quest for good governance is unassailable and the governor owes it a duty to guarantee the realisation of their collective aspirations. The question is, can we realise this dream within the context of economic saboteurs who now flock around the governor with the hidden agenda to milk the state dry. Our hopes as a people must not again be dashed on the altar of cronyism, insensitivity, greed and unquenchable thirst for good things of life at the expense of the rest of the people.

Mr. Chukwudi Enekwechi, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja.
Pulse