By: Felix Ikpotor
The Chairman of Tai Local Government Council in Rivers State, Mathew Nenubari Dike since assumption of duties in October 2024, has carried on the development of the council with so much vigour, touching on key areas of necessity to the people.
His areas of developmental interest ranges from agriculture, to healthcare, infrastructure, education, human capital development amongst others.
Like his peers in other LGAs, Mathews Dike has been working on critical areas of development to ensure that “All Pots Boil” in Tai.
Significantly, in agriculture, the council boss recently declared a state-of-emergency on the sector and in response, empowered farmers from the area with farm implements, cash and improved cassava yields to ensure food security in the council area.
Dike said the aim of the agricultural empowerment is to ensure that Tai becomes an exporter of food in the shortest future.
At a recent visit by the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Local Governments, Dike revealed to the lawmakers some his administration’s strides in 100 days as chairman of council which includes special intervention programmes in all sectors, especially health, education power, transport and human capital development to meet the unique challenges facing Tai people.
In the area of education, Mathew Dike stated that his administration has established a Special Science School to train select secondary school students and provide career counseling to meet the high demand of medical practitioners, engineers and other science-based courses in the area, as well as recruited another two hundred and fifty ad-hoc teachers for the various public primary and secondary schools which were short staffed, while in the area of power supply, he said he said the sector has received a major boost as his administration has taken over the payment of electricity bills to encourage businesses to thrive.
He also emphasized that priority attention has been given to the health sector, which is one of the main focus of his administration by enrolling over five thousand persons outside the eligibility category of the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme and will continue until all in the LGA, receive a medical cover.
The council chairman also told the Assembly members that his government, is currently constructing a model healthcare facility to further enhance access to medical care, and has recruited one hundred and fifty ad-hoc health workers and is currently recruiting some medical doctors, to fill the health centres as an intervention to complement the efforts of the State Government.
On a transportation, he revealed that the council has procured twenty mini buses and twenty three tricycles for the commencement of Tai Rural Transport Scheme as an interventionist measure to tackle the challenges associated with the movement of persons, goods and services within the council.
The chairman also outlined various human capital development programmes for the people to include welfare packages for the elderly, widows, business support for the youths, wheelchairs, clutches and other mobility aid for the physically challenged.
As the 100-days in office celebration of Mathew Dike whines down, his achievements can be summarised under the following key headings:
1. Sustained Free Electricity Supply across Tai and ensuring reliable access to electricity.
2. Health Insurance for Indigent Citizens: Over 5,000 citizens registered under the Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
3. 10-Year Development Blueprint: Induction of a comprehensive development plan by the “Tai Development Summit Committee”
4. Establishment of Tai Indigenous Science School: Currently operational at a temporary site, with construction of the permanent site ongoing.
5. Logistics Support to Nigeria Police Force: Vehicle provisions to enhance security.
6. Empowerment of Tai Legionnaires: Transport buses provided for benefit of members.
7. Tai Intra-Rural Transport Scheme: 20 minibuses and 23 tricycles provided to subsidize local transportation.
8. Recruitment of additional teachers to address the shortfall in primary schools.
9. Employment of Primary Health Workers: Strengthening the workforce in health centers.
10. Ongoing Construction of Tai Sports Complex: Promoting youth development.
11. Ongoing Construction of Ultra-Modern Health Complex go handle referral cases.
12. Installation of Solar Street Lights (Phase 1): In selected communities.
13. Restoration of Tua-Tua Area Transmission Line to ensure reliable electricity supply.
14. Provision of 500 KVA Tltransformer for Nonwa-Uedume community.
15. Ongoing restoration of electricity supply to Gbene-Ue.
16. Construction of Standard Grocery and Restrooms facility for Tai council staff.
17. Execution of Tai Unity Football Competition to promote unity and sports development.
It is expected that as the council get the required support from the people of Tai, the council chairman would do more as the achievements so listed demonstrates his commitment to driving sustainable development in the council area.
