Okupe replies Tinubu over US lecture

Posted by admin American Politics, Latest Politics Friday, August 24th, 2012

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Public Affairs to the President, Dr Doyin Okupe says the
Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) ASIWAJU Bola Tinibu got it wrong at his lecture
in Washington DC adding that it is unfair for the A C N leader to describe Jonathan’s
government as a “giant bureaucracy suffering from elephantiasis.”

His words: “We note the submissions by the Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
ASIWAJU Bola Tinibu at his lecture in the Washington DC, the United States, entitled “Current
Developments in Nigeria : The View of the Opposition” However , there are few points that
require classifications from us.

“To describe the Federal Government as a “giant bureaucracy suffering from elephantiasis” is
untrue and unfair. Since the administration came concerted efforts have been made to reduce
the size of government as evident in the setting up of the Steve Oransanye’s committee which
looked into areas where the inherited bloated bureaucracy could be trimmed down. The
committee has submitted its report and the government has accepted the recommendations.

“Also important, is the Federal Ministry of finance effort to reduce the recurrent expenditure
profile to below 70 percent. On the issue of devolution of powers, where he called for the
decentralization of power, this idea is not peculiar to the Action Congress of Nigeria, as in recent
times many Nigerians, including members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party have openly
canvassed for the enthronement of true and fiscal federalism.

“On poverty, the challenges Nigeria faces on this issue is traceable to several decades of
dysfunctional socio-economic policies and infrastructural neglect. The correction of these is the
embodiment and major pillars of the transformational agenda of the President Goodluck
Jonathan’s administration.

“Foreign direct investment has increased and through the activities of the newly recapitalized
Bank of industry, cogent intervention is being made towards boosting our industrial and capital
development.

“The Action Congress’ leader also touched the issue of debt. We unequivocally maintain that he
got it all wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong for nations to borrow money for
developmental purposes.Virtually all nations run budgets on deficit, including the United States
of America on which soil Asiwaju Tinubu spoke. The US has a debt profile that exceeds $ 4
trillion, and remains perhaps the largest borrower in the world. Lagos state is one of the highly
indebted state even during the administration of the A C N leader.

“On Boko Haram and restive northern youths, while we appreciate the suggestion about
employment of youths in the north, we confirm that this administration has in the last 12 months,
without prompting from any quarters, spearheaded what can be termed a silent agrarian
revolution in the north. This has already resulted in the increased output and yields of
commodities like maize, rice, sorghum and cotton, and governments are this sector is still on
going.

“For example, government is about to restructure and recapitalize the Agriculture Bank so as to
make funds readily and directly available to peasant farmers with minimal bureaucracy and very
low interest rate. It is also estimated that by the end of 2014, no fewer than 14million youths will
be out of the streets in the north and fully engaged. Government has also supported this drive
by the introduction and propagation of the Al Majiri Educational programme.

“On security, the position of the revered Leader of the Action Congress is incorrect. While at the
beginning, the free flow of information among agencies may not have been at an excellent level,
since the President Jonathan administration had taken the bull by the horns, by the overhaul
and installation of a new security infrastructure and architecture, synergy within these agencies
have been commended by the international bodies and agencies. Their effectiveness has
reflected in their ability to forestall strings of activities by Boko Haram.

“We note his remarks about the creation of local councils in Jos , Plateau state, however, the
protracted crisis in Jos has much deeper issues that creation of Local councils alone can resolve
. In the last one two weeks, government had met with various interest groups. They include the
Berom, Hausa and Fulani communities. Consultations are currently being made by President
Jonathan towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

“On Corruption, it is a truism that it has always been regrettably endemic. But no other
administration had taken the steps so far taken by this administration in tackling the scourge
head on. This is evident in the change of leadership at the Economic and Financial Crime
Commission (EFCC) and fortification of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC),
plus the prosecution of those found culpable in the oil subsidy scandal, including those close to
the government.

“We appreciate his contributions to national discourse, and we assure the opposition and
Nigerians that we shall continue to inform, engage and interface between government and the
citizenry.”wp_posts