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The Governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has promised to reset the politics, governance and economy of the state, with a target of increasing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current estimated $20 billion to $200 billion within 15 years.
Lulu-Briggs stated this on Monday at a media parley in Buguma, headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, where he explained that his campaign slogan, “Reset Rivers State,” was anchored on a comprehensive plan to transform the state.
According to him, his administration would focus on making the civil service functional, efficient and attractive, while investing heavily in critical sectors capable of driving sustainable economic growth.
He said the health sector would receive particular attention, including the recruitment of more doctors and other medical personnel and the improvement of healthcare facilities across the local government areas.
Lulu-Briggs said his administration would seek to make healthcare facilities in the state more comfortable and attractive to medical professionals, while developing the health sector as a potential tourism destination.
He also promised to promote youth entrepreneurship through talent development and create an environment where young people could turn their skills and ideas into viable businesses.
The NDC candidate said his administration would place emphasis on standards and infrastructure capable of attracting investment in the creative industry.
He stressed the need to reposition Port Harcourt as a business-friendly city by implementing policies and providing infrastructure that would open the state’s commercial capital to greater investment and economic opportunities.
Lulu-Briggs said Rivers State had a history of greatness which, according to him, could be restored through purposeful leadership and inclusive governance.
“We must remind ourselves of how great Rivers State is, and we must make it great again. We should not let this chance pass us by,” he said.
The governorship candidate also pledged to run an inclusive administration, saying he would not be beholden to any political godfather.
“I have no godfather, so I will run an all-inclusive government that will give every Rivers man and woman equal opportunity to participate in a broad economy without having to lean to any particular party or ethnic group,” he said.
He said the proposed reset would be driven by policies that prioritise equal opportunity, economic expansion, human capital development and improved living standards for residents across the state.
