MIMIKO'S GOVERNMENT IS RECKLESS

                                         

                                               

Prince Joseph Adedurotimi Adewusi is a former Military Administrator of Akwa-Ibom State and a retired Navy Captain. He is one of the governorship aspirants in the forth coming election in Ondo State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.The Ose born crown prince, in this interview with Yinka Olatide- Richards,spoke on his ambition and other sundry issues. Excerpts: As a former Military Administrator of Akwa-Ibom state, can you share your experience with us? Well, that was my first baptism in political power, incidentally that was under a military regime which means there was no House of Assembly, so our decision were faster. We took decisions at the executive council meeting and our decisions and policies were implemented without any obstacle but unfortunately that period the allocation accrued to the state was not fat and what I did was to improve on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The revenue shot up from #7m to 22m per month and that really helped me in executing so many developmental projects which had impact on the people of Akwa-Ibom State and till date, I am still remembered for my impact, the government invites me for events and I have received about twelve chieftaincy titles there. What were your challenges then having govern in the southern part of Nigeria? Thank you. The challenges are similar, you know Akwa-Ibom is a multi-ethnic state with the Ibibios having the majority and there are other smaller tribes so, the challenges are similar to what we have here. When it comes to appointment, one needs to be careful in his decisions to reflect the interest of all stakeholders in the state, you have to site projects carefully to reflect on all maps of the state, so, the challenges have prepared me for the one ahead and that is why I am the best for the governorship seat come October 20 when the people of the state will vote for change

As a governorship aspirant of a party who lost in the last election, how prepared are you?  Well, I am well prepared. My experience as a former military administrator is an added advantage for my party, I am more matured politically and age wise, I am a leader and a father who has managed people successfully and having reached the rank of a navy captain, I have held different positions in the navy and outside the Navy. For example, I was a member of armed robbery tribunal in Lagos, that gave me opportunity to interact with the judiciary. I have been a member of the contract review panel in cross-river state and that gave me another opportunity to learn how projects are sited, how projects are evaluated and implemented. You also know who is defaulting and who is not. This will make governance easy for me when I am elected into office.  As an experienced administrator, what are your chances among other aspirants in your party.And how do you intend to leverage on your political and leadership legacies for you to pick the party’s ticket?  Let me tell you that Ondo State people know those who are matured to lead them and they also know where to cast their votes. Unfortunately, we have a serving governor who believes in violence and rigging. Let me tell you, I witnessed rigging of the first order in the last election and that has thought me a lot of lesson. We must be vigilant and police our votes properly and make sure that our votes are not bought or sold at any level. I believe with my experience both within and outside navy. I am one of the four aspirants who have travelled very widely in all the five continents of the world. I am at home in Indonesia, America, Brazil, Germany, France, Russia to mention but a few. Traveling is part of education and I will like to transform my state with all these developmental projects in these continents. I will transform my state to a level where transportation is efficient, water is efficient, the whole system is efficient and the rural populace is enjoying the dividends of democracy. So, I believe am the best in the three parties in the state  Sir, all the state owned companies are moribund. What are your plans for the unemployed youths and how do you intend to revamp these industries in order to create jobs for the people of Ondo state?  Thank you. There is this believe in the political circle especially during electioneering campaigns that governors will create jobs directly. It is the duty of government to put amenities in place, create a conducive environment for would-be investors. Those amenities would attract investors and let me take Olokola as an example, that project would have created over 10,000 jobs in two years. Luckily, the federal government is a PDP government and if I am elected, the PDP government in the state will liaise with the federal government in expediting action. It is a pity the present government in Ondo state has completely neglected that project. I am going to focus on that project to create more jobs for my people. Before Dr. Agagu left office, about 103 companies have signed MOUs to bring in their partners but since then, all have been abandoned because Mimiko’s government is focused on cosmetic projects, building markets by the road side and painting everywhere with Labour Party colours. The construction of round-about and all other projects that has no impact on the people have been become the focus of the governor. When I am elected, I will set up a technical committee to review all the industries that we have in the state with the aim of activating them. And when they are activated, I will sell shares out to the public and to foreign interests, and government will just own between 10 – 15 per cent shares. For instance, if Oluwa glass is activated, it will create jobs for people in Okitipupa division, the ceramic in Ifon will also cater for the zone and to do that, government only needs to create enabling environment for investors. For the ceramic, the Taiwans and  the Chinese are experts in the field, we will only provide the infrastructure and the Labour required and these  are the people of the state while the partners will bring in the machines. When this is done, jobs will be create and it has its multiplier effects. There will be circulation of wealth. This administration has done nothing in terms of employment it has only employed over 100 special assistants. There will be employment of youths, market women will be empowered and the entire populace will have course to jubilate because we will focus on building the people.  Your opinion on the state of the economy? Ondo state economy is stagnant. Go to the people you will know that the  people are suffering. Mimiko is busy wasting money on projects that have no impact on the people. These are projects individuals do in Lagos. Companies are meant to build markets and round about but this government has lost focus.When companies build such projects like what we have in lagos, they will have their name on the projects and the government will only have to tax them. This government is reckless, Agagu spent 6years without borrowing and he left government without putting the state to any financial embarrassment. The #38billion Agagu left in office could not be accounted for by Dr. Mimiko. What we have in the state is reckless spending where money are spent without budgets  The Labour Party in the state has claimed to its credit the defection of PDP stalwarts to the ruling Labour Party. What is your reaction to this? The real picture of things is that people are decamping from the Labour party to the ACN. What is happening to the Labour Party is sympathetic. So, the little defections we have in our party cannot affect the PDP.It is Labour Party that has problem because so many gladiators have left the party for ACN.The likes of Boroffice, Abena and so many people who started the party with him. What is the possibility of your party winning an election with all the internal wranglings? My brother! there is no faction, no crisis in our party. What we had in the past was between January and March but I want to assure you that our party is united. It was Mimiko who was sponsoring people to believe that there is crisis in our party but all is over.  As a PDP governorship aspirant, what is your message to the people of the state?  I want to appeal to the people of Ondo State to be calm and vigilant. They must take their future in their hands and avoid being bought. On the voting date, 20th of October, I will clock 59 years on earth and I urge them to give me a birthday gift by voting me as their governor and I promise to work hard until Ondo state is transformed. Governor Mimiko is deceiving the people that he is close to the president  that is why he is wasting money on propaganda splashing money on editors to show his pictures with the president.but I know he is confused and he is faced with a lot of problem, so, people should disregard his antics