Nigeria is a great Country but our Leaders have over the years reduce it to one of the least Country in the continent in infrastructural development and in lack of good governance. Bribery and corruption have taken over the seat of government and all the arms of governments not excluded.
I have some issues which the National Conference should better resolve for the progress and unity of this Nation
One of them is the revitalization of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited. This is a project that if completed can employ up to 500,000 workers directly and indirectly. There are so many shops in the Ajaokuta integrated plant that can cater to so many areas of our economy. The Federal Government has spent almost USD8.6billion on the Steel Plant and the city before it was abandoned several years ago. In 2003under the Federal Government privatisation programme, the Steel Company was given tout on concession to Global Infrastructure Holding limited for mere USD300 million. During this period, the mostly Indians Management turn around the fortune of the Steel Plant and it started producing iron rods which were sold to Countries outside Nigeria. For almost 5 years, production went on, the Steel plant came alive and the people and the towns and States around, benefited economically and socially.
Ajaokuta is a great asset as stated by Mr. Segun Aganga, the
minister of Trade, Investment and Industry. The Plant is not obsolete as
concluded by Atedo Peterside in his speech when he was commenting on the report
of the Science Committee being debated at the Conference on Monday.
Unfortunately, people like him are the ones advising the President on Economy
of the Nation. I dare ask, what is government concrete plan to actualising the
Auto Motor Policy if the Steel Plants are not producing? Are we going to be
importing the flat Sheets?
When you have Foundries, you need Liquid Steel and Ajaokuta
will produce it. I sincerely hope President Jonathan will not listen to them
and release money for completion of the Blast Furnace and commencement of steel
production.
Another issue, the Revenue Allocation Formula should be
revisited. Resources marginalisation should be avoided. Resources should be
shared in such a way that all States and Local Government have adequate
resources allocated so that no part of the Country feel marginalised or short
changed. I am not saying the derivation formula should be abolished, Its
important that one get more from the natural resources God has blessed one with
but the neighbor should not be neglected. In fact if the gains and revenue
from these resources are properly managed and shared, the agitation for self
rule or control of resources would be over. Every area needs adequate resources
for socio economic development. Also there will be National prosperity, peace,
security and Unity.
I do not believe in resources control as some governors use
the money to enrich themselves and their families. The money is not used for
the good of the people.
The geopolitical Zones should be strengthened. The
concentration of powers at the centre is what is breeding violence and this '
do or die' politics. Politicians struggle for control of the centre because of
the power and money. Less power at the Nation's centre will free money for the
zones to develop. It will also stem the waste that comes with big government.
Each President must have Ministers and special assistants from all the States
of the Federation if he does not want to be termed a tribal dictator.
Lagos should have Infrastructural Maintenance Allocation as
the Nation's commercial capital. Whether we like it or not, Lagos is the
commercial and entertainment capital of NIGERIA. Abuja is just the seat of Government, the
Political and Administrative headquarters of Nigeria. The way people migrate to
Lagos daily is far stretching the infrastructure provided by the State
Government
We want a Nigeria that works for the goods of all Nigerians.
We want a Nigeria that is stable, civilised, free from corruption and religious
bigots.
Community or State Police should be recommended and
structure put in place for it. Nigerians do not have enough police protection
except you are connected with the Presidency. Where the Police commissioner and
his men are being controlled from the centre is bad for our safety. The drama
in Rivers State where the powers at the centre were bent on driving Governor Amaechi away from the State was
scripted and acted out by the Commissioner of Police. If not for God, the
Governor would have been assassinated with his cabinet members and legislators.
We want freedom of religious worship and protection of
worshippers. It is worrisome to be in Church and be looking behind you. It is
even more worrisome when Insurgents insist that one convert to their religion
or be killed.
We want a Nation where Industries functions and the closed
one revived and revamped. If People are gainfully engaged and employed, less
will be on the streets and Boko Haram will not see them to recruit to fight religious war.
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