All is now set for the official commissioning of the PDP
restoration network and the plateau state chapter is wasting no time in its
tracks as regards the party’s quest for victory in the coming elections. It is
true they say, “he who fails to plan plans to fail” that is why the state
chapter of the restoration network has gone to work in preparing for its soon
coming task of restoring the states glory in peace, tourism and commerce before
the world as it plans to build a strong economy for the good people and the
Nigerian nation at large when its candidates emerge victorious come the 2019
general elections. .
Economic growth and development is a critical aspect that
affects every nation as it sets the tone for living standards of the people and
progress of the nation. It is a task so sensitive and so much that concerns it
rests upon the blend between the government’s responsibilities and that of the
people. This means, the success or
failure of an economy rests a great deal upon its leadership abilities and the
peoples efforts as well. Amongst these responsibilities, we have policy
implementations favorable to economic activities, infrastructural development,
as well as the security of lives and properties of the people. Owing to this,
it is very important that capable hands should be the ones elected into
positions of government. Those capable of having a the required vision in
sensitive positions, those capable of surrounding themselves with the best and
brightest minds and those who would pay attention to the voice of the people in
making decisions that will serve the nation’s best interest.
Through time, we have seen undeveloped and weak economies
grow into economic giants in so many places and this is achievable not through
wishful thinking but through well-meaning policy implementations and active
participation of the public and private sector in the economic process. Economies
like that of China, Indonesia, south Korea, and India amongst others were able
to overturn their economic status and elevate the living conditions of the people
through government actions in infrastructural development, policies implementation
and support for Small and Medium Enterprises over the last few decades and
today, they have found their place in the front rows of global economic powers
and yet, they show no sign of backing down as they press on to greater heights.
China for example states that with the next decade 20% of its population will
be multi-millionaires and this will position it to become the world’s largest
economy.
Coming back home, Plateau state, like many other states in
our nation is richly blessed with Human and Naturel resources and has the
potentials of growing an economy strong enough to stand toe to toe with the
likes of Lagos, Rivers, Akwa ibom, kano and other states alike. In time past,
economic activities like Tin mining and tourism put the state on global
economic maps as its activities drew investors and tourists from different
destinations thereby generating good revenue for further development, through
it all, the people were able to capitalize on that economic climate in having a
decent standard of living too. Besides just attracting tourists, the states
cool climatic condition makes it unique location for the cultivation of certain
agricultural products likes the popularly known Irish Potatoes, straw berries
and so many vegetables that are demanded in large quantity across the length
and breadth of the nation. Again, in this very state existed the all mighty Jos
International Breweries, the iconic terminus main market structure (the then
largest built market in west Africa) the Gold and base mining company, the
bricks molding mining corporation and other great business establishments
capable of generating billions of naira and creating a world class economy and
tourist location.
So, how did it all go wrong? How did the many different
companies and factories shut down operations over time with the coca cola bottling
plant being the latest to do so and as a result lay a large number of its
employees off? How did the state turn from a reputable tourist location to
having our tourism industry deteriorate out of shape? How did the margin of our
agricultural output shrink as a result of the brutality our farmers face in the
hands of evil perpetrators as they work their farm lands? And most of all, what
could be done about it? Just like any other nation, people and location in this
world, trying times will come, difficulties will arise and storms will rage,
but what matters most at the end of the day is our ability to pick ourselves up
and push further ahead avoiding the temptation of time wastage in the blame
game. We must forget the pitfalls of yesterday, put in our very best today and
trust in God as we work harder to build a brighter tomorrow. For failure isn’t
in falling to the ground or getting it wrong, refusing to pick yourself up to
try again and again is the true disaster and this draws the thin line between
success and failure.
The government has to step up in its responsibility to the
people and the economy. Policies must be
implemented to attract investors in different sectors, our tourism industry has
to be revived and developed into world class standards, our agricultural
industry must be developed vast enough to serve large scale economic purposes,
our people must have access to the much needed finical support system in
transforming their million dollar ideas into large industries and corporations to
serve and improve the economy and the standards of living; our people must feel
and remain safe as they go about their activates in the farms and market places
and most of all, the government must live up to its responsibility of putting
the people first always and every time as these are the ingredients that will
surly make all the difference given the required attention and support.
Dr Umar Mantu, the national convener of the PDP restoration
network who is scheduled to be officially commissioning the plateau state secretariat
of the network stated that “the network serves as part of efforts towards
ensuring the party emerges victorious in all the elective positions in the
coming elections” as he believes the party will be providing leaders capable of
turning the dynamics and bringing our economy back on the progressive track.
At the last general elections, Nigerians were convinced into voting
in an administration that made so many promises, but four years down the line,
nothing of true substance has been achieved. Unemployment stands on a higher
percentage, poverty is at its all-time high and insecurity seems an even bigger
problem than it ever was. Yet, today, they hand us even more promises, seeking our
votes once again at the coming elections. Standing where their leadership has
led us today, it will indeed be unfair to drag ourselves down this road again.
We must all understand that perception is not reality, it is merely what you
feel not what you see and in this case, they want us to feel as though their
promises carries so much hope for us, but looking back at the last four years,
what do you see?
In just a few decades, a wide desert was turned
into a beautiful tourist haven and a world class economy raking billions of
dollars in annually through diversification and brilliant economic policies.
This is what its leader His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
ruler of Dubai and driving force to its greatness had to say in his book MY
VISION as regards nations and leadership “when leaders are seen to have the
ability to foresee the future as well as the path leading to it, then, they are
the best to be handed the power of government to fulfill the promise. However,
if we find them wanting or failing to deliver for any reason, we must have them
relinquish power to others more capable of realizing the vision”. The time has
come for the people to make their choice as to whom they will trust with the
affairs of the next four years of this great nation and people. We must have
the lives and properties of our people feel secure again, we must stair our
economy back on track again and most of all, we must get Plateau state and
Nigeria working again. 
