Dr. Simon Imuekeme, is a seasoned civil servant, a former Permanent Secretary, Head of Service and Secretary to the Edo State Government. In this interview with Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, speaks on issues concerning politics, governance and host of others.
How would you rate the performance of Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State thus far?
There is no doubt that the governor has continued to work hard for the people of Edo state in terms of infrastructural development. Looking at the land mark achievement that he has made in 2013, especially the various projects that he has commissioned, there is no doubt that he is still very much focused, especially in the areas of roads’ construction, schools renovation, provision of health facilities, electricity and water.
He has just finished a year in his second term and still has three more years in office. What this means is that if he is not distracted, more people oriented projects would still be expected to be completed by the government.
As far as I am concerned, he should ensure that he completes all the projects he has started in the three senatorial districts of the state. I believe that once these projects are completed, Edo State would have gotten to a stage of comfortable infrastructural development.
What area would you consider the Oshiomhole government to have performed well?
There is no area the governor has not left an indelible mark, but I am particularly impressed with the job he has done in the area of roads’ construction, schools renovation and provision of water across the state.
In the area of school renovation, virtually all the remaining schools that are yet to get the governor’s attention has been advertised to be worked on. If he succeeds in getting this done, one would say Oshiomhole has done marvellously well, considering the state of these schools before he came on board.
By and large, I would say that the signals are still there; his tenure he would have set a standard for his successor in office to build on and his tenure would always remain a reference point for comparison.
There are concerns that the projects he embarked upon are too many and that most will eventually become abandoned?
I am more worried with the dwindling resources accruing to the state from the federal level and not in the number of projects. We are all not unaware of the fact that allocation from the federation account has dropped in the past few months. The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has also not been performing to the expectations of the governor. It is hoped that with the Federal Government efforts to contain the leakages in the oil industry, especially pipeline vandalization, oil theft coupled with the state government efforts to boost IGR, more resources would accrue to the state government in order to address the various projects.
The signal he has given in his first year of the second term shows he is out to complete all the projects he has started.
Lots of politicking is already going on ahead of the 2015 elections, don’t you see this a major distraction to the governor?
I am a bit worried about the level of politicking that is already going on. This is democracy, you cannot rule out political intrigues from democracy. My advice however is that politicians should not overheat the system, both at the state and at the federal level.
Government would not be able to deliver to the electorates if there is distraction. I appeal to politicians in Edo not to unduly distract the governor. If this can be avoided, there is no doubt that he would deliver on his promises. When distractions become frequent and disturbing, there would be loss of focus and unnecessary dissipation of energy on irrelevant issues.
Do you thing the criticisms of the opposition (PDP) are constructive or merely to distract the governor?
For democracy to thrive there have to be a virile opposition and the opposition has to be very objective in its criticism and not the pull down syndrome type. If you have this in an opposition, it enhances the performance of the government in power but when it degenerates to pettiness, it becomes a problem to the sitting government. Nobody is an angel neither are we saints. We were what we were before elected into office. So, for me, the more opposition focuses on issues the better for us all.
The opposition PDP has said that the state is broke because the governor spent so much money on his re-election campaign. What is your reaction?
I am not aware that the governor spent the state resources on his re-election. It should be noted that globally, the economy of the world is presently going through trying times. In Europe, in America the availability of funds for social services is dwindling and Nigeria is not an exception. All over the world, there is now limited fund to governments to operate. A clear example is what happened recently in America where for two weeks there was a stalemate between the executive and the Congress as result of the request by the President for an upward review of his borrowing capacity.
What I am trying to say that all over the world government borrow money from banks and other financial institutions to fund project. It should be made known to the public that before this money is given out, the borrowing institution would ensure that the ability to pay is guaranteed and there is also transparency and accountability in the handling of the finances of the state. So it is a thing of joy if Edo state if found worthy to benefit from the World Bank fund in view of its stringent borrowing facilities. For example, out of the 36 states of the federation that applied for World Bank support, only three states benefitted of which Edo state is one.
The issue of heavy indebtedness does not arise as this issue has been put into consideration even before the federal government allows the state to borrow. One of the Indices to show that the state is viable is the payment of salaries as at when due. As far as I am concern, the state workers get their salaries as at when due.
Are you worried that the APC could face similar problem as bedevilling PDP in view of your coming registration exercise?
As far as the party’s registration is concern, the governor who is the party’s leader in the state, has made it abundantly clear that nobody will be disenfranchised. He said as long as you are an APC member, you will be registered. I think there would be no problem as far as APC is concern. We are working round the clock to ensuring that any issue that would lead to disaffection is quickly tackled.
What is your message to the people of Nigeria and Edo in particular, especially as we all look towards the 2015 elections?
Nigeria is a country that is blessed by God. Let those of us who have been given opportunity to lead the country not destroy it; we should remember that governance and positions are ephemeral. You are there today; tomorrow will be the turn of another person. It is what you do to positively impact on the lives of the people while in office that tells your story.
I like to conclude by saying that we should not unduly heat up the polity in this country.
