He is articulate, suave and politically savvy. Olorogun David Edevbie, following a successful career in the private sector as a development finance expert, became Delta State Commissioner for Finance from 1999 to 2005. Edevbie, who is currently eyeing the top job in the state come 2015, speaks with Correspondent Emmanuel Udom on his aspiration. Excerpts:
You are from Delta Central Senatorial District considered by some to have had its fair share of the governorship. How do you see the clamour by the Delta North Senatorial District for power shift to the Anioma?
The clamour for political power by the Delta North Senatorial District is natural in an evolving society. I appreciate their desire and it is a legitimate demand. There are similar clamours in many other states such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Benue and Kaduna for example. I rationalise it on the basis of inter-ethnic relations, which is often predicated on mutual distrust and friendship. Election time is a period of mutual distrust, but I am certain that in Delta State, we shall reach agreement and again enter a lasting season of friendship. Again I appreciate this issue from a historical perspective. In the countdown to Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the Willinks Commission was established in 1958 to address the fears of minority groups in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the minorities’ fear of oppression by the majority tribes is still prevalent in many states, Delta inclusive. Nevertheless, I am very optimistic that eventually we shall evolve and grow beyond the simplistic clamour for power based on ethnic platforms. We have already reached the stage in this country where government should be liberated from primordial strings and ethnic considerations; rather good governance should be the major consideration guiding the choice of the people.
Why are you vying for the governorship of Delta State in 2015?
Rather than sit on the sidelines like most and complain about the state of affairs of our dear country, I have decided to get involved to try to make a difference. I am driven by the desire to make Delta State a better place if not for my generation, at least for my children. My decision to run for the governorship emanates from my conviction and passion to meaningfully contribute to the development of the state and her people through quality and selfless service. I have the capacity and relevant experience to create an enabling environment for our people to realise their vast potential and better their living conditions. I am offering people the choice of focused, prudent and accountable leadership.
There are several other contenders for the plum job; would you say you are most qualified to pick the trophy?
I have always said that I am one of the most qualified. Nevertheless, I believe Delta State currently needs an experienced person who can build on what Governors James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan have achieved thus far. Many believe that my unique private and public sector experience at the state and federal levels places me ahead of others. Right now Deltans will be comfortable with someone who is detribalised; who can view the entire state from a pan-Delta perspective and whom every Deltan can trust and work with. Another advantage I have is that I am a bridge-builder as evidenced by the fact that I worked comfortably with everybody when I held the very sensitive position of Finance Commissioner in the state. So there is a kind of consensus around my person and political aspiration. The politicians know I have no desire to retire them and the civil servants know that I have the technical skills to complement their work and allow them to contribute their quota to the development of the state free of undue political influence. The people know I am principled, very firm but also extremely fair and that is why anecdotal evidence suggests that if a poll were done in the state today, barring party and ethnic considerations, nine out of every 10 Deltans would vote for me. I am clearly the people’s choice.
What would you do if elected the Governor?
While Delta State has made some progress since 1999, my desire is to launch the state to a new level hitherto not conceived. My plans for Delta State shall be a testimony to the manifold achievement a stubborn dream, tenacious vision, purpose-driven and accountable leadership can make possible. I have a well laid-out blueprint I call ‘Marshall Plan’. In giving priority to education, I shall ensure access to quality education at all levels and also rework the current education curriculum to be entrepreneurship driven in line with UNESCO standard. There will also be emphasis on civic and cultural education. I would like education in Delta State to be Information Communication Technology compliant, with regular training for all our teachers. Provision and upgrading of education infrastructure would also be prioritised. Education would continue to be subsidised and also be compulsory from primary to secondary school and scholarships and bursaries will be available to tertiary students.
Secondly, for health I figure a scheme that will guarantee access to quality and affordable medicare to all Deltans irrespective of where they are in the state. I will build more modern health infrastructure to be complemented by the acquisition of advanced medical equipment even as primary and secondary health facilities are upgraded. There shall be regular recruitment and training of health personnel and subsidized medicare for pregnant women, children from day-old to five years and citizens of 65 years and above.
Thirdly, I have a strategy to curb the menace of armed robbery and kidnapping which will in turn create an investor-friendly environment. Essentially we shall be engaging in peace building and promote community policing or neighbourhood watches. This is aside of providing additional support to the police. To divert the attention of the youths from crime and channel their energy into some other useful engagements, we shall establish more focused skills acquisition centres to engage them and also embark on massive employment creation. I shall also continue to encourage sports development because it is clearly an area in which Delta State has a competitive advantage.
What other projects can we expect from you as governor of the state?
I intend agro-industrial revolution in Delta State. Agriculture is the world’s largest employer of labour and Delta State is endowed with arable land, rivers and a climate that can support over 150 food, fruit and cash crops for domestic consumption and export which I believe if properly harnessed could produce three times of what crude oil brings in. Farmers will have access to credit facilities. Agro-allied businesses and industrialisation will complement agriculture. Indigenous and foreign investors will take advantage of our agricultural endowments, open new industries and revive ailing ones for massive employment generation. Small and medium scale enterprises will be encouraged to reduce unemployment, combat poverty and lead to the socio-economic empowerment of our people.
Also, I look to providing infrastructural development and environmental rehabilitation scheme. This is targeted at rural development, urban renewal, massive road construction and rehabilitation, provision of potable water, stable electricity, enhancement of water and air transportation to promote both local and foreign business and tourism. My plan also has a housing development component for both rural and urban centres. I shall promote and encourage public-private partnerships in the provision of infrastructure because I know from personal experience that the Delta State government simply does not have enough resources to do it on its own without the help of the private sector. I will also champion the establishment of a public works programme in the mould of Delta Rapid Roads Repairs and Infrastructure Rehabilitation Team.
Most youths today are unemployed. How would you eradicate this in Delta State?
This is contained in my Marshal Plan. However, it main plank is agro-industrialisation. The agro-industrial sector has the capacity to eradicate unemployment. Furthermore, the civil service, the education and health sectors as well as other economic activities I intend, will curb unemployment. Again, once we consolidate the Delta Beyond Oil policy, the problem of unemployment should be a thing of the past.
What do you consider to be the developmental problems of the state and how would you manage them?
One of the things I have done so far is to commission a mini Needs Assessment Bureau that went round the state to do an evaluation of needs assessment. I have reviewed the report, which provides me with working knowledge of the developmental problems of the state. You know as an economist and development-oriented person I am essentially a problem solver. Suffice to say at this stage that each of the three senatorial district presents development challenges. Some of these are common and others are unique, and I have solutions that are practical and cost effective. So, unlike others, I will hit the ground running and start strong.
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