President Goodluck Jonathan has said he did not concentrate development in his native South-south region because of his quest for equitable distribution of resources in the country.

The president spoke on Wednesday at the presidential rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, Greater Port Harcourt City, Rivers State.

He noted that he had been criticised by people in the region that his presidency had not favoured the area and promised to redress the situation when re-elected.

His words: “What I want to tell you and the rest of the country is that the director-general of APC (All Progressives Congress) presidential campaign organisation, when he was in Yenagoa and when he was in Port Harcourt mentioned clearly that the President has done nothing for the two states.

“Don't worry, it is a good news because people are saying that I concentrated development in the South South. Bayelsa State was part of Rivers State. I am part of this state. Since I finished by secondary school, I have been in Port Harcourt. I started my first job as a young officer in the Customs. Of course, I attended the University of Port Harcourt and started lecturing in the Rivers State College of Education. So, I have been part and parcel of this state.

“Then, if I don't concentrate development in this state, that means there has not been development in Rivers and Bayelsa States. The DG is telling Nigerians that I have not done this. That means that I am a transparent person. I did not allocate positions to my people.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jonathan-why-i-ve-not-done-much-for-the-south-south/200358/

.

You didn't perform well in the south south because you were busy performing in the north; Building universities, Almajiri schools, Roads, eradicating polio(which has been almost eliminated) rails, agricultural reforms and unfortunately, fighting the insurgency.

But the Northerners still despise you. .....but why sir

Your guess is as good as mine.

#borntorule

Help is on the way!

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2074046_s1948710edit_png30185445efee784a9bf2f9026e5c67f1

All na wash, so i shouldn't prepare my old mother's house and arrange another man's house because am scared of critics abi? GEJ just tell us say you 4get bcuz of over commitment i fit gree but no bring dat one come jare. #truthbetold. If people will talk na dem get dia mouth but my town go shine, what if God forbid u slump n die without achieving this goal? What did you think ur kinsmen n youth will say of you? #idonbeliveyou

I'm sorry to say but this man doesn't make sense at all.. He should stick to reading written speeches than talking without an aide.. So because you are from that region you should deny the people their fare share government projects? What he is saying by implication is "vote for an upright non south-south person if you want development in the region" and he is even proud of it.. Smh..

[size=16pt]Now you want the southerners to pity you, but for what? You want us to vote you in still you didnt do anything for us. Ok now lets say we vote you in for the "promises" of doing something for the niger delta, does that mean you will forget about the north and the south west? are they not nigerians too? Is it that you can not preside over the landmass called nigeria? I dont get you mr president, you sound confusing and clueless.[/size]

I don't need a crystal gazer to tell me dat Jonathan will perform more in d south south nxt tenure.

i swear na u sabi!

Despite taking 65 percent of the total capital project in 2014. There is God ooooooo.
Na only South South waka come. What of other part.
My country people are you satisfied with the present situation in this country.



If No, say Buhari

SeverusSnape:
You didn't perform well in the south south

I missed the nairaland of yesteryears when we had brilliant minds and old heads. The kids like this dude actually fear to step foot here because of the contents of the commentaries which were too matured to behold.

Now nairaland is like a tabloid were even teenagers now feel like gods.

diluminati:



I missed the nairaland of yesteryears when we had brilliant minds and old heads. The kids like this dude actually fear to step foot here because of the contents of the commentaries which were too matured to behold.

Now nairaland is like a tabloid were even teenagers now feel like gods.

Obviously miss, you're a pig. A very slutty and dirty pig.
It's better to be a kid than to be a PIG!

Horus:
www.nairaland.com/attachments/2074046_s1948710edit_png30185445efee784a9bf2f9026e5c67f1

EPIC!!!

Watch the rally, PDP is a disgrace if the best they can present for governorship candidate is Wike, he lacks leadership characteristics.

Lol... Jonah Jonah..
We have decided to make you president again..


































Of KIRIKIRI PRISON.........

Are state governors and local government chairmen for fancy?
In the past administrations, these other executives were reminded of their responsibilities. But now there is this agenda to pin every single thing on the president, giving governors and chairmen too much space.

It is surprising that Nigerians still think a change in the leadership automatically means positive change after 6 coups.
Change starts from the wards and LGAs.

At least,he did not deny the allegation.

He did not forge a certificate of performance

You have not done anything on Nigeria as a whole. please stop talking trash, we can see our self. nothing you can point to as a reasonable achievement. instead, you and your corrupt officials keep stealing our money. feb 14 is here, we will tear your government with our votes and give the position to a more reasonable person who is far better than you

GEJ till forever!

.

Atleast he and Amaechi agrees on the same page.

Mr. President, 2nd tenures are really difficult to work because you have less than 2 and 1/2 year to work. Reasons been, if you eventually win a 2nd term, you would likely be giving an honey moon of 6months to settle down due to change in ministerial and the rest, meaning Nigerians will start judging you from 2016 and you won't be under pressure to deliver since you won't be going for another term.

From 2016, you have till 2018 when another round of politicking like we are having in this dispensation since 2013. Sir, am not sure you know the level of decay especially south south FG roads and other infrastructures. Will 2years be enough to fix them?

@Post,

You cannot provide measurable and impactful developments in a complex and large nation like Nigeria by the philosophy of equitable distribution of resources as supposedly credited to the President. You will end up achieving peanuts with no meaningful impacts. You will end up with quite a high number of half baked projects because of limitations on resources and lack of understanding of basic planning principles.

What I expect is a portfolio management approach. This requires prioritizing developments and effective allocation of resources to key defined zones using key metrics like population, economic viability, demography distribution, nomenclature etc.

If I was a member of the FG economic team, for the first 2 years of a standard 4 years tenure, the primary focus (40%) will be the following cities - Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Onitsha and Aba.

Lagos because it is the economic capital of Nigeria; high population density of citizens from every part of Nigeria; high localization of industries; conducive for international trade with a retinue of Ports and water bodies; prone to decay due to the high Rural-Urban migration and concentration of densely populated residents within a limited landmass.

Port Harcourt because it is the silent capital of the South South which accounts for most of the oil producing states; notable rural-urban migration; notable presence of economic activities with the presence of key oil producing and servicing companies which accounts for a sizeable percentage of the employment index in the region; prone to decay due to high concentration of densely populated residents within limited zones.

Kano because of high population; key economic hub for the north; other reasons as stated above.

Onitsha because it is the main business hub of the south east; a key economic hub; high population and concentration of densely populated residents.

Aba because it is an emerging amazing industrial hub of Nigeria; great potential to be the China of Africa if provided with a conducive environment in deference to manufacturing of fast consumer-related goods for example, textiles, electronics.

The strategy will be to ensure these identified cities have the following as a minimum:
- Uninterrupted power supply to industrial hubs during the day from 7am to 5pm and power supply to the residential areas from 5pm to 7am. This will reduce cost of doing business in these cities, improve ROI and attract more investors.
- All Federal Roads within these cities shall be mapped out and made astutely good.
- Efficient Contemporary and Urban light rail transportation system will be developed for infra-city transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Car pooling (involves having more people in one vehicle to a defined destination as against one person per vehicle to the same destination) to reduce number of vehicles on the road per unit time and also reduce carbon emissions.
- Ensure there is a functional interstate contemporary railway system to these cities from adjoining cities for ease of business and trade between States.
- Build Multi level mid rise housing estates with apropos infrastructure to apposite standards. A rent to own option will be considered for civil servants and low/mid income earners in the private sector of these cities.
- Build new world class general and specialist hospitals to support the existing ones.
- revive any moribund industry in these zones.
- develop new business hubs to redistribute flow within these cities. Consider developing outskirts to redirect activities away from the city centre.
- clear slums and relocate genuine squatters to a new residential area


Secondly, another 10% within this 2 years period (6 months for rigorous planning which will continue through progressive elaboration) will be earmarked for notable moribund industries to resuscitate them, e.g, Ajaokuta Steel, Refineries, Nigerian Textiles Industry etc.

Thirdly, the balance 50% within this 2 years period will be distributed to developments in all the other States and Cities within the country not mentioned above. An Institute of Construction Trade for Artisans (carpenters, bricklayers, masons, iron benders, tillers, painters etc) may be located in my State (Ekiti ) for artisans in the construction trade to obtain appropriate knowledge and skills requisite to deliver aptly on construction projects; we will prefer that to the N1b planned for a federal secretariat in 2015 budget. Other notable projects can be planned for similar States not on the A list above.

Lastly, based on the measurable success achieved and lessons learnt with this strategy for the first 2 years period, the cycle maybe repeated with new identified cities with similar potentials and attributes as the A list cities.

These developments can only be achieved if the FG and the State governments are willing to work together in harmony. The FG will provide the intervention funds and the State Government will provide administrative support where required. Hierarchy and governance will need to be established.

The last 16 years of the 4th republic would have been very meaningful and impactful if this portfolio management approach was in use. I felt very sad the day I saw how SURE-P savings are being shared by the FG, States and LGs. The amounts a curable monthly to these tiers of government may never be used for any meaningful development because they appear nominal to their respective monthly allocations. Over N30b was shared in October 2014 as published in the Guardian (can't confirm the date right now). This implies that 4 months of SURE-P savings would build the Second Niger Bridge, a key development, and will therefore not require unnecessary tolling or premium paying by the end users, the citizens or the government.

Apt portfolio management is superior to traditional management methodology. It is never late. Trust and sincerity of purpose are what we require to move Nigeria forward. My 2 cents. Feel free to add or comment on any suggestions raised.

do for the south-south or not....
We will vote you over and over and over again.
Ride on...the strenght of the Majority is with you.
GEJ till Buhari stops forging

This man should stop insulting us. For 5yeats he did nothing for our people in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta. He thinks we are fools. Nigerians will reject Jonathan. We want Buhari

Just an excuse to get people to give him a chance. He's running out of options.

kokoA:
I'm sorry to say but this man doesn't make sense at all.. He should stick to reading written speeches than talking without an aide.. So because you are from that region you should deny the people their fare share government projects? What he is saying by implication is "vote for an upright non south-south person if you want development in the region" and he is even proud of it.. Smh..

^^^The difference i see between him and the northerners that have ruled this country thus far is that: whereas he has concentrated most projects in the northern part of the country (for whatever reason) to the detriment of his own South South, South East and South West; with past northern rulers, they didn't give two fuc'ks about the souths sensibilities, or try to woo them (as GEJ has done with the north) by concentrating more developmental projects in their own region! Their feeling then was one of 'the country is ours, so we don't need to appease or win over anybody'!

Thank God he agreed he did nothing in the SS and didn't blame anybody as usual.
...edited....
http://www.punchng.com/news/amaechis-criticism-a-challenge-jonathan/
He actually blamed Amaechi......
“The DG (Amaechi) is telling Nigerians that I have
not done this. That means that I am a
transparent person. I did not allocate positions to
my people. The DG would have been the very first
person to expose me to the rest of the world; not
just Nigeria. He would have taken me to America,
to South Africa, to France, to UK, but that shows
clearly that we mean well for this country"



This man never seizes to marvel me.