A former lawmaker in the National Assembly, Senator Lee Maeba, has declared his intention to run for the governorship position of Rivers State, promising to solve the problem of housing facing the people of state.
Maeba, who represented Rivers South East in the Senate between 2003 and 2011, told newsmen while presenting his blueprint in Port Harcourt on Saturday that his governorship ambition was hinged on his passion to ensure that residents of the state enjoy affordable housing facilities.
The governorship aspirant, who explained that the emergence of a governor from Ogoniland was achievable, expressed dissatisfaction over the outrageous cost of housing in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He pointed out that his administration’s housing policy would ensure that two or more cities sprang up in the state if voted in as the next governor of Rivers State.
“My blueprint has addressed the problem of housing in the state. Within four years, my administration will embark on a housing programme that will put an end to the problem of housing in the state.
“The truth is that the government has failed the people in the provision of affordable houses. If voted into power, our administration will provide affordable houses for the people,” Maeba assured.
On violence in politics, he said he had never bought a pistol or any other arm or ammunition for any youth to cause havoc before, during or after election, even as he called on politicians in the state to embrace politics without bitterness.
“I, Senator Maeba, endorse politics without bitterness as propounded by the late Waziri Ibrahim. Mt concern is to help the youths attain their potential. I have never bought a pistol or any other arm or ammunition for any youth,” he added.
Maeba, however, recalled that as a lawmaker in the National Assembly, he was the author of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill Act (2010) and some other bills aimed at developing host communities and the oil and gas industry.
Also promising to establish a N100 billion revolving funds to help businesses to grow, Maeba said he would build industrial parks as part of his administration’s policy on industrial revolution in the state if he realised his ambition.
On how to source funds to achieve education, health service reforms, infrastructural development, industrial and agricultural reforms and other contents of his blueprint, Maeba described Rivers as a viable state where such funds could be raised, adding that he would rely solely on federal monthly allocations.
According to him, the best criteria for state creation is the viability of such states. Your internally generated revenue must be at least about 50 percent at par with your monthly allocation
