In every country and in every state or province the world all over, once there is a new Government there is always the tendency for people to expect a change for better and the budget reflects the direction the administration is going and that is why some tag their own “budget of hope,” budget of consolidation ,among others.
As Buhari and 29 Governors were sworn-in either to continue from where they stopped or to bring in new form of governance, people’s expectations are high.
Our reporters in Port Harcourt went round to seek people’s opinions and expectations.
Majority of the people interviewed said that the two major things they expect from the State and Federal Governments are security and employment opportunities for our youths.
They said that when the youths are gainfully employed, violence, killings kidnapping and shooting will be a thing of the past.
A lecturer at the Department of Linguistic and Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt,Dr. Sunny Nbazie,in an interview with our correspondents,urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to sustain the fight against corruption and insecurity.
“The fight against corruption should continue. Infrastructural development should be sustained at the Federal level, the economy should be stimulated to create jobs. The war against Boko Haram and insecurity should be addressed. There should be a policing system where those who contravene our laws would be dealt with.
“This second tenure, something should be done to make our police strong. To control, prevent and detect crime. So that our soldiers would be in the barracks preparing for external aggression or serious internal insulation”,he stated.
An Educationist,Michael Micah had advised government to actualise qualitative and inclusive education in all levels,as imbedded in the sustainable development goals.
“Going by the UNESCO report in 2018, we have 13.5 million children out of school. That show’s that we are retrogressive. Government should understand that the rest of the world are thinking of how to attain a qualitative and inclusive education by year 2030 and Nigerians should not be an exception. And we will fail just the way we failed in 2015 by not realising the millennium development goals”, he stated.
Also,a PDP chieftain in Etchie Local Government Area, Chigozie Emem, advised Governor Nyesom Wike to redouble his efforts in some areas of education, health care and agriculture. Emem,however, commended the governor’s performance in the area of infrastructure and manpower development in his first tenure.
“The governor tried in his first tenure. He did perfectly well in infrastructure and manpower development. But there are some areas he did not really do well. So we urge him to give more attention to agricultural sector. Some areas that need adequate attention for agricultural sector that have very huge landmark, include the Etchie LGA and Ogoni”, he stated.
Mr Joseph Oha, a businessman, said “Buhari’s next level of administration should focus more on insecurity and bring sanity to the country, knowing too well that violence and insecurity are bane in the development. No country who values the lives of its people will be willing to invest in such a country where killings, kidnapping and violence prevails”
“Again it is any person’s expectation for this administration to create job opportunities for the youths. This, to the best of my knowledge will go a long way to tackle violence and such vices in the country”, Joseph further stated.
The youths interviewed appreciated the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike for putting them first and as a priority in his 2nd Term Inaugural speech; which they termed a speech of hope for the youths.
The president, according to them should emulate Nyesom Wike and stop being one sided.
“Buhari should come out boldly and address the problems of insecurity and youth unemployment in this country and stop playing politics with the killings by the Fulani Herdsmen”,he said.
Speaking with a medical student at the University of Port Harcourt, BlessGod Wodi said that he wants President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint younger people into his government. He said the collaboration of the older and younger generation will help bring the desired change to the country.
