Rivers Political Crisis Hurting Economy, Says Dagogo-Jack
Rivers Political Crisis Hurting Economy, Says Dagogo-Jack
Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, a former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power, has warned that the protracted political crisis in Rivers State is causing severe economic damage.
He noted that the ongoing friction between political factions is stalling development and eroding the state’s investment climate.
According to Dagogo-Jack, the instability is scaring away potential investors who fear for the safety of their capital.
He emphasized that Rivers State, which should be a hub for industrial growth, is losing its competitive edge to neighboring states due to the lack of a peaceful governance environment.
The elder statesman expressed concern that the focus on political supremacy has sidelined critical infrastructure projects. He argued that the resources and time spent on legal and political battles could have been better utilized to improve the standard of living for the citizens.
Dagogo-Jack also pointed out that the crisis is affecting the morale of civil servants and the efficiency of public institutions. When governance is paralyzed by conflict, the delivery of essential services like healthcare and education inevitably suffers, further burdening the populace.
He called on the warring parties to prioritize the interests of the state over personal or group ambitions. He urged political leaders to embrace dialogue and reconciliation to restore order and allow the government to function effectively for the collective good.
Finally, he warned that if the situation remains unresolved, the long-term economic consequences could take decades to reverse. He appealed to stakeholders to intervene and broker a lasting peace to prevent Rivers State from falling into a state of total economic stagnation.
