Desmond Iwuchukwu
Former Governorship Aspirant in Rivers State Tonye Princewill has called on Governor Nyesom Wike to focus on building the capacity of youths and women in the state and not concentrating on constructing flyovers.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has constructed about 10 flyovers since his re-election in 2019.
Tonye Princewill while speaking to newsmen said building the capacity of youths with required skills will enable them to get employment.
He said that when women and youths are gainfully employed, it will reduce youth restiveness, illegal oil artisanal refining, and other vices.
The former governorship aspirant said unemployment is the major cause of illegal oil refining activities in Rivers State.
The APC Chieftain said the issue of Kpo fire will continue to linger until the Rivers State Government creates an alternative for the teeming youths in the state.
”In my very brief statement on the 5th of February, that my detractors took over a week to scramble to respond to, I commended the Governor for his stance against illegal refining but did two other things in addition. I asked one, that he also addresses the root causes of illegal refining. And two, that he desists from playing politics with it. Not sure which of the salient points I raised, irked my detractors, but the fact that they called me, both a nobody and a statesman in the same paragraph, suggests enough to their frame of mind. Whenever you cannot recognize advice, you need leadership glasses”.
”We all woke up to the black soot this morning, including the Governor and there is still no end in sight. A lot of motion, no movement. Let me repeat my advice, at the risk of yet another press release. “Be tough on illegal refining, but also be tough on the causes of the illegal refining, of which number 1 is the lack of jobs for the youth. People cannot stand in water and soap will be entering their eyes. How many new industries have we brought in, how many businesses? Is it better to be loyal to jeeps and give them flyovers or be loyal to our many youths and women and give them a means of livelihood? These are the questions. I suggest we do all of the above and more but give priority to the women and youths and spread development” he said.
The APC Chieftain Tonye Princewill also asked members of Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Rivers State that the next administration will not discriminate against them.
He asked PDP to love the state more and not their political party.
”Not everything is about politics. Let me assure the PDP people listening that the next government will not discriminate against you. No matter your leanings, you will be safe. What I expect of you is to love your state far more than you love your party. Think about your children and the children they will have to face. I’ve refused to abuse Wike, not because I cannot. All the angels know Wike has plenty of faults. I refuse to abuse him because that’s all we hear in the news. APC abuses PDP, etc. Princewill tackle Wike and vice versa. Meanwhile, our children are dying. This is the wrong message to send. After Wike has gone, nobody should touch him. I won’t support it. We have to move on. This season of bitterness has to end” he said.
