2015: Jonathan still Nigeria’s best choice –Ebodaghe
A United States of America-based Nigerian, Louis Ebodaghe returned to the country a few years ago to join the murky waters of Nigerian politics ostensibly to contribute his quota to the growth and development of his fatherland.
Ebodaghe believes Nigeria is well endowed to be a world power if her potentials are well harnessed. Although he is not contesting for any elective position in the forthcoming general elections, he has floated the Nigeria Prosperity Project (NPP), to amongst other things, educate Nigerians on their rights and privileges under a democratic dispensation.
Ebodaghe tells ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has done enough for Nigeria to earn him re-election on February 14. Excerpts:
What is your assessment of the political situation in Nigeria ahead of the February presidential poll?
The atmosphere is charged yet Nigerians are enthusiastic about the elections. However, there is also, apparent apprehension in the air, with preparations by INEC and the security agencies. Based on information at my disposal, I believe there’s no need for anxiety. People are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights to vote. In this regard, I would like to encourage all those that are registered to vote but yet to pick up their Permanent Voter Card (PNC) to do so as soon as possible. For the avoidance of doubt and for whatever it is worth, adherence to the rule of law is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength and faith in our democracy. Rain, not thunder grow flowers. I think the present administration has not deviated from that focus. Two eminent Nigerians are vying for the office of the Presidency. The choice is clear…that is why I expect Nigerians to rise above mundane issues in this election. It will not be based on religion, political party, or ethnicity, but on records of achievement and focused leadership. President Jonathan of the PDP and General Buhari of APC are the major contestants. I believe that Jonathan is in a better stead based on his records of accomplishments. Buhari is an elder statesman who worked for the most corrupt leader in the history of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha and hence publicly declared that Abacha never squandered public funds.We all know better today. His only democratic credential is that he toppled an elected democratic government in 1983. Former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of River State, as well as the former of Bayelsa State, are Buhari’s benefactor. Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are, is an old saying.
Is the issue about Bola Tinubu or the future of Nigeria?
We need to put the records in proper perspective. It has been generally speculated that Bola Tinubu deliberately schemed out other presidential aspirants because the calculation is that Buhari will not be able to complete two terms because of the state of his health and age. It is assumed therefore, that he (Tinubu) can conveniently run Nigeria from Bourdilion Road. How can we entrust Nigeria in the hands of this type of puppet master? For the northerners, they are better off with another four years of Jonathan and thereafter, provide a young, vibrant northerner with the requisite democratic credentials and a record of achievement to govern for eight years, rather than have a weak president who will be manipulated by Tinubu for four years.
There’s disenchantment though with the PDP government. How does your group hope to change this mindset ahead of the polls?
You see, let us not dismiss the achievements of this government on mere sentiments. Let us look at the facts on ground. For example the local content law which has empowered Nigerian oil professionals and 30 percent of oilfield services revenue now go to companies owned by Nigerians. This is projected to hit 50 percent in 2015. For the first time in the history of this country, Nigerians quit the major oil service companies like Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Halliburton and joined companies owned by Nigerians and got better conditions of service in return. Engineering plants and companies that were hitherto dormant have bounced back. Interestingly, our local content law has been copied by Ghana, Brazil and Angola. Besides, the initiatives of government have resulted in the following; Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) oil production has increased by over 300 percent under this administration and currently produces more oil than most countries in Africa.
SEPLAT, an indigenous company created from government’s policies now employs over 5,000 workers and produces over 70,000 barrels of oil per day. So, you see, Nigerians already know that this is a working government. There’s no mindset to change here.
But some Nigerians believe that the Jonathan administration has done little to improve the economy
Cuts in: That cannot be correct. We have surpassed South Africa and our economy is now the largest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world. GDP growth is at 7 percent per annum for the past six years; the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. According to a recent World Bank data, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first six months of 2014 stood at $9.7billion. The moribund automotive industry has been revived. Cars are currently being assembled in Nigeria after over 20 years. Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Stallion motors and Innonson motors and several others,now assemble/manufacture cars and trucks in Nigeria.
Food importation has been reduced by over 45 per cent as at the end of 2014. Food sufficiency through the growth of the agricultural sector is the ultimate goal. Before 2012, there was only one world class rice mill in the country. But from 2012 to 2014, over 18 world class rice mills have been established across the country. A backward integration policy is now in place that will see Nigeria become self-sufficient in sugar production between five to 10years. Cassava, apart from being used to supplement hitherto imported wheat for bread-making, is now being exported to countries like China. The railway system once moribund has been resuscitated and the Lagos-Kano line carries 14,000 passengers on a regular basis, with work on-going on other lines. The policies of this administration are highly commendable as we have witnessed an increase in the number of passengers conveyed by rail which stood at 1,285,000 in 2009, compared to well over 4,000, 000 in 2013. Projections for 2014 was for over 5,000,000. This growth is expected to be surpassed in 2015 and beyond as the development of standard gauge under Public Private Partnership (PPP) is implemented over the next 5-7 years, covering a total distance of approximately 8,139 KM, in line with the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIMP) document. Look, I will accept here that we are not where we should be in electricity supply but we are not where we used to be, as a lot have been achieved.
The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was unbundled…10 new power plants for power generation and distribution established. These include; Geregu 1 and 2 located in Kogi State and the gas plants in Gbarain, Bayelsa State. A number of Dams are also in the Northern part of Nigeria, with a good example being the Zungeru Dam in Niger State. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, power generation currently at about 4,000 MW is expected to exceeded 5000MW by the end of January 2015. However, recent vandalizing of power generating infrastructure may upset this target. It is expected that appropriate measures would be put in place to mitigate this wanton behavior. I, therefore, encourage Nigerians especially those in the affected regions to be more vigilant and support the efforts of this administration to achieve optimal power supply.
How about the state of infrastructure in the country?
At the inception of Jonathan’s government less than 15 percent of the federal roads were motorable. Today, the number has increased to more than 65 percent. It now takes three hours to travel from Lagos to Benin and the road is in the best shape it has ever been in the past 20 years. Passengers slept on that road before Goodluck came into power. The East/West road is about 70 percent complete and this road has been on the drawing board for the past 30 years. The second Niger Bridge that was commissioned last year is a reality. Last week, the President took a working tour of the project. Upon completion, the bridge will improve the East/West access corridor for increased commerce, job creation as well as a boom to the local economy of the region. So, to answer your question, yes, President Jonathan has tried in the area of infrastructure but I concede that he can do more and he would do beginning from May 29.
This government is accused of handling corruption with a kid gloves, giving credence to the fact that corruption is on the rise, what is your take on this?
Let’s look at the facts on ground: the Transparency International (TI), 2014, report shows that Nigeria is making significant progress in its rating as it attained one of the best rating since 2003. Also the rating by Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a Washington-based research and advisory organization on illicit funds transfer and corruption show that between 2003 and 2012, the average amount of illicit money transfers from Nigeria averaged $15.7 billion yearly, while between 2012 and 2014, it dropped to an average of $7.9 billion yearly. These were due to measures taken by this government which includes, but not limited to e-payments for all government financial transactions, cashless policy, electronic payment systems for all government workers salaries, eliminating ghost workers and diversion of funds, e-wallet for fertilizer distribution to farmers and the implementation of a single treasury account to track Federal government finances 24/7 etc. Please, do the maths yourself!
Ebodaghe believes Nigeria is well endowed to be a world power if her potentials are well harnessed. Although he is not contesting for any elective position in the forthcoming general elections, he has floated the Nigeria Prosperity Project (NPP), to amongst other things, educate Nigerians on their rights and privileges under a democratic dispensation.
Ebodaghe tells ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has done enough for Nigeria to earn him re-election on February 14. Excerpts:
What is your assessment of the political situation in Nigeria ahead of the February presidential poll?
The atmosphere is charged yet Nigerians are enthusiastic about the elections. However, there is also, apparent apprehension in the air, with preparations by INEC and the security agencies. Based on information at my disposal, I believe there’s no need for anxiety. People are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights to vote. In this regard, I would like to encourage all those that are registered to vote but yet to pick up their Permanent Voter Card (PNC) to do so as soon as possible. For the avoidance of doubt and for whatever it is worth, adherence to the rule of law is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength and faith in our democracy. Rain, not thunder grow flowers. I think the present administration has not deviated from that focus. Two eminent Nigerians are vying for the office of the Presidency. The choice is clear…that is why I expect Nigerians to rise above mundane issues in this election. It will not be based on religion, political party, or ethnicity, but on records of achievement and focused leadership. President Jonathan of the PDP and General Buhari of APC are the major contestants. I believe that Jonathan is in a better stead based on his records of accomplishments. Buhari is an elder statesman who worked for the most corrupt leader in the history of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha and hence publicly declared that Abacha never squandered public funds.We all know better today. His only democratic credential is that he toppled an elected democratic government in 1983. Former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of River State, as well as the former of Bayelsa State, are Buhari’s benefactor. Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are, is an old saying.
Is the issue about Bola Tinubu or the future of Nigeria?
We need to put the records in proper perspective. It has been generally speculated that Bola Tinubu deliberately schemed out other presidential aspirants because the calculation is that Buhari will not be able to complete two terms because of the state of his health and age. It is assumed therefore, that he (Tinubu) can conveniently run Nigeria from Bourdilion Road. How can we entrust Nigeria in the hands of this type of puppet master? For the northerners, they are better off with another four years of Jonathan and thereafter, provide a young, vibrant northerner with the requisite democratic credentials and a record of achievement to govern for eight years, rather than have a weak president who will be manipulated by Tinubu for four years.
There’s disenchantment though with the PDP government. How does your group hope to change this mindset ahead of the polls?
You see, let us not dismiss the achievements of this government on mere sentiments. Let us look at the facts on ground. For example the local content law which has empowered Nigerian oil professionals and 30 percent of oilfield services revenue now go to companies owned by Nigerians. This is projected to hit 50 percent in 2015. For the first time in the history of this country, Nigerians quit the major oil service companies like Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Halliburton and joined companies owned by Nigerians and got better conditions of service in return. Engineering plants and companies that were hitherto dormant have bounced back. Interestingly, our local content law has been copied by Ghana, Brazil and Angola. Besides, the initiatives of government have resulted in the following; Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) oil production has increased by over 300 percent under this administration and currently produces more oil than most countries in Africa.
SEPLAT, an indigenous company created from government’s policies now employs over 5,000 workers and produces over 70,000 barrels of oil per day. So, you see, Nigerians already know that this is a working government. There’s no mindset to change here.
But some Nigerians believe that the Jonathan administration has done little to improve the economy
Cuts in: That cannot be correct. We have surpassed South Africa and our economy is now the largest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world. GDP growth is at 7 percent per annum for the past six years; the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. According to a recent World Bank data, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first six months of 2014 stood at $9.7billion. The moribund automotive industry has been revived. Cars are currently being assembled in Nigeria after over 20 years. Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Stallion motors and Innonson motors and several others,now assemble/manufacture cars and trucks in Nigeria.
Food importation has been reduced by over 45 per cent as at the end of 2014. Food sufficiency through the growth of the agricultural sector is the ultimate goal. Before 2012, there was only one world class rice mill in the country. But from 2012 to 2014, over 18 world class rice mills have been established across the country. A backward integration policy is now in place that will see Nigeria become self-sufficient in sugar production between five to 10years. Cassava, apart from being used to supplement hitherto imported wheat for bread-making, is now being exported to countries like China. The railway system once moribund has been resuscitated and the Lagos-Kano line carries 14,000 passengers on a regular basis, with work on-going on other lines. The policies of this administration are highly commendable as we have witnessed an increase in the number of passengers conveyed by rail which stood at 1,285,000 in 2009, compared to well over 4,000, 000 in 2013. Projections for 2014 was for over 5,000,000. This growth is expected to be surpassed in 2015 and beyond as the development of standard gauge under Public Private Partnership (PPP) is implemented over the next 5-7 years, covering a total distance of approximately 8,139 KM, in line with the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIMP) document. Look, I will accept here that we are not where we should be in electricity supply but we are not where we used to be, as a lot have been achieved.
The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was unbundled…10 new power plants for power generation and distribution established. These include; Geregu 1 and 2 located in Kogi State and the gas plants in Gbarain, Bayelsa State. A number of Dams are also in the Northern part of Nigeria, with a good example being the Zungeru Dam in Niger State. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, power generation currently at about 4,000 MW is expected to exceeded 5000MW by the end of January 2015. However, recent vandalizing of power generating infrastructure may upset this target. It is expected that appropriate measures would be put in place to mitigate this wanton behavior. I, therefore, encourage Nigerians especially those in the affected regions to be more vigilant and support the efforts of this administration to achieve optimal power supply.
How about the state of infrastructure in the country?
At the inception of Jonathan’s government less than 15 percent of the federal roads were motorable. Today, the number has increased to more than 65 percent. It now takes three hours to travel from Lagos to Benin and the road is in the best shape it has ever been in the past 20 years. Passengers slept on that road before Goodluck came into power. The East/West road is about 70 percent complete and this road has been on the drawing board for the past 30 years. The second Niger Bridge that was commissioned last year is a reality. Last week, the President took a working tour of the project. Upon completion, the bridge will improve the East/West access corridor for increased commerce, job creation as well as a boom to the local economy of the region. So, to answer your question, yes, President Jonathan has tried in the area of infrastructure but I concede that he can do more and he would do beginning from May 29.
This government is accused of handling corruption with a kid gloves, giving credence to the fact that corruption is on the rise, what is your take on this?
Let’s look at the facts on ground: the Transparency International (TI), 2014, report shows that Nigeria is making significant progress in its rating as it attained one of the best rating since 2003. Also the rating by Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a Washington-based research and advisory organization on illicit funds transfer and corruption show that between 2003 and 2012, the average amount of illicit money transfers from Nigeria averaged $15.7 billion yearly, while between 2012 and 2014, it dropped to an average of $7.9 billion yearly. These were due to measures taken by this government which includes, but not limited to e-payments for all government financial transactions, cashless policy, electronic payment systems for all government workers salaries, eliminating ghost workers and diversion of funds, e-wallet for fertilizer distribution to farmers and the implementation of a single treasury account to track Federal government finances 24/7 etc. Please, do the maths yourself!
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