National leader of Unity House Foundation (UHF), Kingsley Wenenda Wali, has called on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to organize a state economic summit.
Wali, who made the call in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, suggested that the economic summit should be tied to a 10-year development plan for the state.
He stated that although the provision of infrastructures are very important, there must be a clear linkage between construction and award of contracts on one side,
with the economic growth of the state.
The UHF leader said: “It is important to state unequivocally, that provision of infrastructures is very important. However, there must be a clear linkage between construction and award of contracts, with the economic growth of the state or even the country.
“Breast pocket administration of any state, has never led to sustainable growth. Rather, it only helps to widen the gap between the looters and their victims. So, it’s never been about the people. And like I always say, any idiot can award contracts. But it takes brains to think short term, medium term and long term.
“Therefore, I’ll like to suggest that Governor Sim Fubara, should announce a plan to host the Rivers State Economic Summit and actually work very assiduously, towards this summit and its takeoff.
“The Economic Summit should be tied to a 10 years development plan. Yes, many will argue that there are no guarantees that successive governments will keep faith with such long plans.
“While it’s logical to entertain this skepticism, part of the debate and arrangements will then be legal safety valves for such long term plans. An act of parliament, even if not foolproof, is one such step.”
