Okorocha’s paradigm versus due process

WHEN at the inception of his administration in 2011, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State embarked on massive infrastructural development projects, critics insinuated that he was not following due process. But the Governor stood his ground, stressing that his aim was to bring development to the state using a model that worked.

The Okorocha paradigm was “do the work first without mobilization and be paid later.” It has worked and could serve as a model for other governments, if only to stop this culture of abandoned projects.

I had written in this column backing Okorocha’s strategy for what it stood for. It’s not that following due process in the award of contracts is wrong per se, but the ugly experience of project abandonment by contractors, even after due process needs to be re-examined. The spate of abandoned projects across Nigeria is worrisome. It has frustrated government’s effort to improve physical infrastructure. At this juncture, it is pertinent to ask if due process has not failed Nigeria. Wouldn’t it be worthwhile to rejig due process in order to make it more effective?

The recent lamentation by some experts over the rising stock of abandoned projects across the country underscores the flaws inherent in due process. It is a serious national concern. The massive infrastructural shortfall across the country is not due to lack of capital budget but due to the fact that budgets meant for projects are swindled by some top government officials and their crony contractors. This unbecoming unpatriotic situation is evident across the federation.

The experts, who made their observations at different encounters with journalists, decried the fact that government officials do not live what they preach as corruption has become endemic in Nigeria. Martin Chiemelie, a real estate consultant, is of the view that government should enact a law that would make public officials ‘bite enough they can chew at a time’ since those who start gigantic projects do so to have enough money to embezzle.

Another expert, Olutayo Kayode said those who preach corruption are the worst offenders. He queried: “How many governors in Nigeria left office without having one uncompleted project behind?” He said the rush to start new projects by newly inaugurated government officials is not to impress the people but to create spheres and channels through which they can siphon money out of government purse.

Every year, huge sums of money are budgeted for capital projects. Contracts are awarded after going through due process. The assumption is that once a project is procured following laid down procedures, nothing would stop it from being executed. But this is far from the reality on ground. Thousands of abandoned projects passed through due process. The contractors were mobilised with the agreed percentage sum of money. The mobilisation fee often runs into billions. That is the target of most contractors.

Sadly enough, no contractor has been arrested or prosecuted for failing to complete a contract. This is curious. The result is that it has become normal to scramble for contracts, take mobilisation fees and abscond midway without finishing the job. There are many emergency portfolio contractors, who exploit political patronage, cronyism, and nepotism in the system, to rake Nigeria. The EFCC’s radar doesn’t seem to cover abandoned projects and those behind them. Consequently, thousands of abandoned projects litter the Nigerian landscape with no one being called to question. That makes the country not to measure up to expectations in socio-economic growth and development.

Lack of faith in due process seems to have paid off in Imo State, where the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha, has recorded huge success in projects implementation without recourse to the abused mantra. At the onset of his administration, Governor Okorocha embarked on massive infrastructure development and rehabilitation across the length and breadth of Imo State. The package include the award of 15-kilometre rural road projects in each of the 27 local government councils of the state, as well as urban roads re-development in Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe.

At the point, cynics insinuated that the roads were awarded without due process. Whereas, due process is a totally acceptable principle that could enhance infrastructural development if not abused, experience shows that in our corrupt environment, due process has been bastardised and grossly abused. Due process has not stopped contractors from abandoning projects. Rather, it has shielded contractors and their acolytes in government, who embezzle project funds that have passed due process.

Once a contract has passed due process, those who embezzle the project money have excuse. That raises the question: Which is better – to follow due process for projects that would be abandoned or to follow a different model that ensures that projects are executed? Governor Okorocha seems to have realised the inherent flaws in due process early in his administration, and that has paid off.

Within four years, like the iconic former governor of old Imo State, Sam Mbakwe, Governor Okorocha embarked on many infrastructural development projects, which have given Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe a facelift. I am particularly elated with the transformation of Owerri. The projects are innumerable but include a new Government House, befitting offices for the Deputy Governor and First Lady, standard guest houses for government guests, a state-of-the-art chapel and a new government lodge.

Owerri State capital has drastically transformed from a dunghill (I wrote a few years ago) to a modern bustling city with three new inland roads to decongest traffic, water fountains, International Conference Centre, Freedom Square, Heroes Square and International Trade and Development Centre. The dilapidated Concorde Hotel has changed to a five-star hotel.

At a recent parley Governor Okorocha had with journalists, he was asked why he did not follow due process in the execution of his numerous projects. He said, my brother, if I followed due process, you won’t see these structures.

Using Okorocha’s paradigm, it is important to re-examine the efficacy of due process as far as infrastructural development is concerned in Nigeria. There should be a law that forbids any incumbent government from initiating projects it knows it cannot complete within its tenure.