Nation
Nigeria @ 62: Corruption, Insecurity Bane Of Nation’s Economy-Stakeholders
Nigerians from different spheres of life in the South-East have blamed the parlous state of the nation’s economy on corruption and insecurity.
The people spoke in separate interviews by The Tide’s source to evaluate how the economy has fared as the country marks its 62nd independence anniversary.
An economist in Abakaliki, Mrs Joy Ekwe, expressed worry that corruption had become deep rooted in the country since it gained independence on October 1, 1960.
She lamented that it had “eaten up the fabrics of our national life”, while integrity no longer counts.
According to her, “corruption has elevated mediocrity above merit and competence, while godfatherism, nepotism and favouritism have become the order of the day”.
She said the development had discouraged hardwork, with far more negative implication on the country’s economic development.
Ekwe also spoke on the impact of insecurity on the economy and urged government at all levels to deepen the fight against the phenomenon.
She said winning the war against insecurity would put the country back on the path of sustainable economic growth and food sufficiency.
“If we must achieve food security, briefcase farmers should not be allowed to manage the distribution of farm inputs,” Ekwe said.
An Abakaliki-based legal practitioner, Mr Chibuzor Onwe, said the widespread terrorism and banditry had made the country unsafe for foreign investors.
“Insecurity has drastically slowed down socio-economic development of the county,” he said.
“The nation has come of age, 62 years is not a joke. It is high time Nigerians collectively fought corruption to a standstill and uphold the principle of honesty and integrity as a way of life”, he said.
On his part, a political analyst, Mr George Nworie, urged the Federal and State Governments as well as the citizenry to embrace the spirit of doing the right thing at the right time in order to return the country to the path of sustainable growth and development.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Enugu State, Mr Virginus Nwobodo, said development in post-independent Nigeria had been very slow and uninspiring.
“Our development as a nation has been sluggish. When I say sluggish, I mean that the pace is below the expectations of Nigerians.
“Looking at our democracy over the years, one cannot say that we are practicing true democracy because the gap between the leaders and the led is still very wide.
“Class consciousness still exists and our leaders are not committed to addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit,” Nwobodo said.
He said that the colonial administration provided public utilities like roads, housing and other amenities that made life easier for the people, “but that’s not the case today.
“In those days, once you are employed, there is official quarters ready for you. But today, Nigerians are still grappling with infrastructure deficit at all levels,” he said.
The labour leader said that under the colonial system, successive administrations improved on the performance of their predecessors, with a strong policy for continuity in governance.
“Today, every administration wants to initiate its own project and abandon what the previous government initiated but could not complete.
“That is why we have a lot of abandoned projects nationwide, some of which are very important projects,” Nwobodo said.
In Abia, a business coach, Mr Godson Adiele, said that the economy was strong and prosperous immediately after the country gained independence due to the prevailing government policies.
Adiele said that the economic policies supported productivity, competitive growth along regional line and job creation in the country.
With the emergence of new governments, he said, the economy began to nosedive due to poor policy implementation and ever-changing economic policies.
He advocated for effective implemention of policies that encourage diversification of the economy, support production, increased patronage of local products and eliminate multiple taxation.
He said that government at all levels should initiate policies that promote the ease of doing business in order to encourage investment and enable small businesses to thrive.
“Our passion for foreign products over the years has helped to deplete our economy.
“Nigerians must understand that the one you patronise you empower and we have built other economies to the detriment of ours.
“Nigerians now transact their businesses at home in dollars, which is not our legal tender.
“Unfortunately, this has resulted in the decrease in the purchasing power of the naira,” Adiele said.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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