By Chris Steven
Dr Tamunoiyoriari Sampson Parker was one of the closest allies to the former Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and served as Health Commissioner in his government from November 2007 to May 29th 2015.
Dr Parker was one out of the few foot soldiers who believed in the cause and fought to secure victory at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, while Rotimi Amaechi was away in self-imposed exile in Ghana.
It would be recalled that Dr Parker fought alongside Gov Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Barrister Steve Dappado who almost lost his sight by refusing to get medical attention while fighting to restore Amaechi’s mandate.
In his speech, while receiving Dr Parker back to the PDP fold Gov. Wike revealed that “Dr Parker was one of those God used alongside some of us to bring Amaechi in as Governor of Rivers State in 2007”.
“We thought that from that time, everybody will be united, but we didn’t know that some persons had different plans, but God’s plan is always the best.”
As the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Parker initiated a lot of programmes to turn around the health care delivery system, like the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease in the State, Malaria Elimination Programme, the 606060 Programme where 60 Health Centres were delivered to sixty communities in sixty days, the construction of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Dental Maxillofacial Hospital, Rivers State University Hospital, the establishment of the Integrated Medical Services, the achievement of 100% routine immunization coverage by the World Health Organization’s assessment in 2013., etc.
It would be recalled that under the watch of Dr Parker the Rivers State Government won the Outstanding Government Healthcare Programme Excellence Award in 2014, beating Lagos, Kano and Ondo States to clinch the prize in recognition of its excellence in the field of healthcare in Nigeria.
The award is the highest honour for unparalleled excellence in the field of healthcare in Nigeria. The re-entry of Dr Parker into the PDP is a good omen that the people of Okrika and indeed the entire State would benefit from. In affirming this Gov. Wike said, “Dr Parker came at the right time and nobody should discriminate him because, with the level of politics he had played, he will add value to the Party”.
Dr Parker’s presence had brought more dividends of democracy to the people of Okrika because Gov. Wike announced while receiving Parker that contract for the award of the second phase of Okochiri Internal Roads in Okrika Local Government Area has been awarded.
He also awarded the reclamation of 25 hectares of land at the ATC area in Okrika Island as well as the construction of Wakama-Ogu Road in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.
“I was here last time and I promised the people of Krikebese that I am going to award the second phase of the Okochiri Internal Roads.
“I also told the people of Krikebese that I am going to sandfill 25 hectares of land at the ATC area of Okrika Island. “Again, I told you people that I am going to award the Wakama-Ogu Road in Ogu-Bolo Local
Government Area.
“As of today, those contracts have been awarded since last week Friday and they will be executed by indigenes of your area,” Gov. Wike stated.
Dr. Parker who said his conscience and soul is at peace with his decision to come back into the PDP fold declared that the vision he had about Rivers State is materializing right before his eyes.
“Your Excellency right here in Rivers state we have seen traditional rulers being given ample opportunity and great support to perform their social responsibilities to their people. May I use this opportunity to thank you for recognizing my own traditional ruler King Ateke Michael Tom, the Amayanabo of Okochiri, Sekuro of Niger Delta, who has in no small measure provided peaceful co-existence amongst our people thereby reducing crime to the barest minimum, promoting human capital development and economic empowerment all because of your
support.”
Elated by Dr Parkers decision to return to the PDP a youth leader Ayanasikike Peters said “I am very happy that Dr Parker has finally come back, he is one political leader you can access, very selfless, God-fearing and generous when he was commissioner for health he empowered a lot of people quietly and a lot of people he entrusted with funds to reach out to the grassroots pocketed the money and pretended he never gave them.
I pray Governor Wike should empower him because we know his antecedents. The people will feel his impact”.
It would be recalled that Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Sampson Parker, a former APC Chieftain and friend of Former Governor Amaechi dumbed the APC and moved to the PDP with over 2,000 of his supporters on Sunday,4th October amidst a heavy downpour.
