A corruption free Abuja..
Well the new guy is doing a great job - public sector corruption in Nigeria must be at an all time low. I'm not talking about Yar'Adua's recent declaration of assets (he's worth N856m) - as Reuben Abati notes in an excellent piece, not a bad return for a chemistry teacher in Katsina; rather, the fact that not a single Minister has been appointed. This means that no govt contracts in any Ministry can be approved, as there is no Executive Council to review and rubber-stamp them. Perhaps there is a model for government going forwards somewhere in there. No contracts, no kick-backs, no ministers, no work. Abuja could return to the sleepy rural setting it was, and the private sector could be left to self-organise Nigeria's path to economic and social development..
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4 comments:
so sad, but probably true,
i have managed to resist responding to the Yardy's riches cracks but I think i'm going to give in.
82% of Yardys reported wealth is in houses and the campaign cars
First of all the houses are all listed at current market value which gives no indication of what was paid, and as two of them were gifted, probably what was paid was a mere fraction of their current value.
The cars were also campaign contributions and not paid for (obviously there are issues with this)
With regards to the rest, the dude comes from one of the wealthiest families in Katsina apparently and also served on the board of a company I think.
It does not mean that the money is clean, it just means that there is something fishy.
Umaru needs to get a grip, he is gradually losing control. He appears totally ill-equipped for this job.
I read in an old edition (maybe 2005) of the times (i think) that the private sector's determination is what has largely contributed to India's socio-economic development. This is inspite of the corruption and bureacracy that is pervasive in the Indian public sector. In Nigeria, not withstnding the somewhat lopsided Economic reform, the private sector is waking up to play its role. However, it needs to be more agressive and less reliant on govt patronage over time. I believe that the solution to Nigeria's path to glory lies largely with solving the energy (electricity, gas, and petroleum) and the revival of the railway system. I believe all other issues- education, health, security etc will fall into place thereafter.
On a lighter note, Jeremy, could you add some va va voom and pizzazz to ur blog pages?- its damn too dull like the English weather. I love reading your blog but the dullness kind of makes it boring for me.
Leave Umaru alone abeg. He started his career as a chemistry teacher but he has been in the private sector since 1983. I remember he was the General Manager of Sambo Farms (leading poultry producer in the 80s) and then he was on the board of Habib Bank now Bank PHB. So it is not exactly that he has been teaching chemistry till 1999 when he became a governor.
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