by Segun Ayodele
[Now, here's a Nigerian who contacts the homeland often and is not just a critic but has thrown down a gauntlet that I'm not sure Jonathan's government - or any government for that matter - would accept but I'm always a good sport. Mr. Ayodele's contact information is available.]
President Jonathan & reading habit, Okonjo Iweala, etcetera: A reader throws a gauntlet to government: I will pay for experts’ blue print on agriculture!
I think the economic problems Nigeria has is far beyond Iweala’s economic wizardry. It boils down to the political will of Mr. president and his focus.
1 The president is wasting too much time on irrelevant things e.g oil subsidy, single term etc.
On the oil subsidy, it is best removed but with some conditions, primary of which is building as soon as practicable refineries at least one in each geographical zones of the country and revamping all our bad roads in readiness for ease of transportation of refined products. then he can go ahead with the removal of subsidy. We have no business importing fuel. period.
2. The economy should be tied to massive production of agricultural produce. Share of local government proceeds should be increased and our constitution must provide for massive food production by local governments. A powerful monitoring agency should be provided to monitor the performance of every local government. The agencies should report directly to the presidency with serious consequences for non performance. The same should be applicable to the state government and the local governments should run separate accounts from the state governments. Every local government should be mandated to cultivate at least 2000 acres of land, while the state government minimum of 5000 acres of land.
3. Decision on what to cultivate should rest on expert agencies, which will do the monitoring to establish result and their report publish at specific intervals all year round .
Madam, Let us start from here and let’s see how far we can go. I have a more comprehensive blue print of this. It could be developed by experts for the government at my expense.
Thank you.
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Labor & Action Congress & the self-destructive politics of Nigeria’s Southwest
Thank you, Tola, especially about your passion for Ondo state. I think it presents a serious scenario especially when we heard that the “great” Mimiko has refused to work with Asiwaju based on some perceived seniority or superiority.
However if both cannot solve their differences as gentlemen and PURE Oduduwa sons then we have no business condemning the PDP hawks from hijacking the state, But posterity will judge them both no doubt. i rest my case.
Segun Ayodele