By Joseph Uwakwe, Port Harcourt
A frontline politician in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has described the ongoing battle against soot and illegal refining of petroleum products by the Rivers State government as motion without movement.
Princewill, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital, was reacting to a recent statement issued by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, which faulted his allegation that the fight against illegal refineries were politically motivated.
He advised the Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike-led administration to give priority to the women and youths and spread development across the state.
Princewill said: “Most people who know me, know that I am hands on. I prefer to lead by example. That’s why I want to show Rivers people and interested parties how to respond to smear tactics. The first thing is to set the tone. It’s like trying to speak English to Philistines, but you have to try.
“The state is far bigger than all of us, so we must put ego aside and argue beyond artificial boundaries like party, tribe, religion and social standing. So what is the tone to set, I hear you ask? The tone is Peace. That is what I intend to set here as a tone. Peace.
“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.”
