Independence anniversary: Why FG celebrated at Aso Rock

Posted by admin Latest Politics Monday, October 3rd, 2011

IT emerged, on Sunday, that the decision by the Federal Government to host the nation’s independence anniversary inside the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, was informed by the need to cut costs.

President Goodluck Jonathan had hosted a number of former heads of state at the Presidential Villa where a parade also took place.

The parade ordinarily, usually takes place at the Eagle Square.

Sources, however, said on Sunday that contrary to insinuations that fear of insecurity informed the low-key anniversary, the president had decided more than two months ago that he would not set up a committee and that the anniversary would be a low-key affair.

“The issue of anniversary and security challenges are not really linked. It is not true that the president shifted the parade to Aso Rock because of security challenges. He had decided more than two months before now that the anniversary would be a low-key affair,” a source said, adding that the president would have set up a committee if he wanted a full-blown parade.

The source said that the government reviewed all issues relating to the anniversary and decided it was necessary to cut costs at this time.

Another source said that the government would have voted a minimum of N1billion for the ceremony and that the president decided that spending such at this time was unnecessary.

“If the president wanted a full celebration, he would have set up a committee which would gulp a minimum of N1 billion. It cannot be because of Boko Haram because the agencies know what to do if the event must be held. It was solely to save cost in line with the desire to reduce the cost of governance,” another source said, adding that Nigerians should praise the president’s desire to improve the economy and cut costs.

-Tribunewp_posts