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A former Senior Special Assistant on Disability Matters to the previous administration in Abia State, Elder Urasi Eze, On Thursday, said the bulk of the problem currently faced in Nigeria, stems from the inability of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to tackle the issue of corruption especially in the Petroleum sector.
Recall that there has been accusations and counter accusations in the country pointing to the mismanagement going on in the Petroleum sector under the watchful eyes of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Speaking on the way forward for Nigeria amid biting economic realities and nationwide protests tagged, #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria#, Elder Urasi suggested that the only way for Nigeria is for the current administration of President Tinubu to develop strong political will and fight corruption in the Petroleum sector.
He decried that the Nigerian economy is hugely deposited on Petroleum which has seen present and previous leaders exhibit nonchalant attitude towards changing the narratives by developing other areas of the economy so as to have what to export abroad and stabilize the economy.
Elder Urasi lamented that the Federal Government has not shown enough commitment in fixing the refineries in the country, stressing that even the one built by Aliko Dangote is not straight as a lot has played out regarding selling crude to him to refine and sell to the government to ensure availability in the country and relegate to the background, the Importation of the product into the country.
He said until the Federal Government develops strong will to tackle corruption in the country, Nigeria cannot make any meaningful headway. He added that reeling out palliatives as the political class is doing is not the solution, maintaining that amid the palliatives, people still complain of hunger and starvation.
In his words, Urasi said, “We cannot continue relying on the Petroleum sector, even if we must, things must be put in proper perspective. We must stop this continuous importation of Petroleum from abroad.
“Aliko Dangote has built a refinery in the country, and it is said to be functioning perfectly. Then the question is, what is still holding Federal Government and NNPCL from giving him free hand to operate? Last time also, the federal government gave NNPCL directive to supply crude Oil to him to refine, up till now we have not heard anything.
“The problem looks as if it is endemic in this country, but it is not. Until the Federal Government develops strong will to fight corruption to a standstill, the country’s economy will continue to wobble”.
On the nationwide protests, Elder Urasi called on Government at all levels, Federal, State and Local Governments to synergize to improve the well-being of Nigerians, adding that the hardship in the country has taken a toll on the people.
He pointed out that the Federal government should not share the blame of bad governance alone, emphasizing that as the monies accruing to States from the Federation Account has increased, it is expected that Governors on their own part, come up with policies and programmes at LG levels targeted at touching the lives of rural dwellers.
“While blaming the Federal Government every time, we should also pause and blame State Governors who pocket everything meant for them and that of the local governments. I have always maintained that for things to work perfectly, all three tiers of government, Federal, State and Local Governments must work in close collaboration.”
Elder Urasi also urged the Federal Government to do more to tackle the security challenges in the country, adding that it is a major contributor to the skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs as communities ravaged by insecurity cannot engage in farming activities for fear of being killed by bandits, kidnappers, among others.
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