Facebook

Thursday 15 March 2018

Give States Greater Control To Fix Their Future in Nigeria- Uche Okeke

I have just responded to a Facebook Comment: "All Federal roads in your South-East are being fixed in real terms". I replied the commentator that those roads will be better sorted out by the states. A restructured Nigeria doesn't need to wait for the Federal Government to sort out their roads most times a condition for re-election.

Greater ''devolution of responsibility and resources''-Professor Tony Travers; is what states need to take their destiny in their own hands. The truth is that people are not asking the right questions. Nigeria's predicament is the current political structure- a monstrous conception designed for subordination. The problem of Nigeria is just one story-The Peril of Destructive Passion: A political structure that legitimises Authoritarian rule.

This is the truth some people are not comfortable with. Why hold the states and the citizens to ransome with a dysfunctional political structure- bogus government, bogus legislature at all levels, wastes on patronage politics, unproductive parastatals/agencies and political positions, etc.  Restructuring is the first condition to sorting out the mess we are in today.

A lot of people are uncomfortable with this truth, still manipulating people to continue with the same wastes that do not hold any better prospects for the future. The states need to be incharge of their own economic future- attract talents and investment to lift their citizens out of poverty, not the federal government.

 In an ethnic diverse society like Nigeria, the Federal system of government is unworkable. Its made worst by Authoritarian rule that have constantly reminded the rest of the society of this identity issue- unending dangers. We should stop deceieving people with this Greek gift- silly narratives that have defiled modern ideas for development.

There is urgent need for restructuring to reduce the many functions of the federal government to states to enable states invest in growth policies-education, infrastructure, skills and training, schools, universities, healthcare, manufacturing, air-ports, air hubs, sea ports, internet/broadband  etc, not using the bulk of national resources on 'white elephant projects'.

Any state that want to use their own money to settle traditional rulers, pilgrimmage, vigilantee, other unproductive agencies, is their own headache. That's the whole point.

Restructuring will also reduce silly election cost and desperation allowing citizens of the states to elect their own leaders not leaders imposed on them from above. This will ensure accountability and greater inclusiveness. Again ''devolution of responsibility and resources'' is the primary condition for growth in a 21st century Nigeria .

 Recent events of the herdsmen attack is an urgent reminder that states should be in charge of safety and security of their citizens. Professor Wole Soyinka said "Declare the Herdesmen terrorists", but the government is only interested in more cattle routes to other states that don't need cattle business, what a government!. In the Golden Age what people need is technology-internet-broadband not cattle routes. What's the point of politics if its not to improve and secure lives.

Restructuring Nigeria is an obligation whose time has come.
Read More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwDDeNyJMVU

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur. He's the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation.

Read the latest insight, analysis and opinion on the big political question of our time. Ordinary people need to be properly informed. http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/03/nigerias-democracy-and-its-crisis_9.html


No comments:

Post a Comment

The LEAD Project Foundation