By: Sunny Anderson Osiebe.
As Nigeria marks the 56th Anniversary of her Independence,
the leadership at all levels of governance must begin to sacrifice more
to serve both as an example and an inspiration to the citizenry to bond
together and pull the nation out of the current economic recession,
Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) has declared .
In his Anniversary Message in Abuja weekend, Melaye also
urged Nigerians not to despair yet, but to continue to support the
federal government in her determined effort to pull the nation out of
the recession. He also called on Nigerians to continue to show resolve
by seeking common ground to face the difficult economic realities with
unity of purpose.
" 56 years of independence as a sovereign state should, and
ought to be a time to roll out the drums and celebrate our journey to
true nationhood. Unfortunately, the present economic hardship has denied
Nigerians this luxury. What is required under the circumstances is
modesty and deep introspection on how we got to this sorry pass. But
more importantly , the current times calls for more sacrifices on the
part of the leadership from the local, state to the federal levels". He
added:
" Unlike so many other relationship fundamentals,
leadership is a top-bottom dynamic if it must inspire and command
loyalty and the needed follower-ship. At times like this, the leadership
must sacrifice more, give up some of its pecks of office, show more
compassion and empathy, and desist from leading opulent and offensive
lifestyles that are capable of inflaming passions amongst the suffering
masses.
"The change Begins with Me" gospel will resonate more with
the people if those at the helm of affairs show the way and lead by
example. While very tangible sacrifices are required of the leadership
at the moment, perhaps the leaders can begin with a symbolic gesture.
Since names and appellations matter, those at the helm of affairs must
immediately drop those appellations that accentuates the existential
divide between them and the citizenry until there is a marked
improvement in the material condition of the people.
" In this regard, I recommend that henceforth no President,
Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor should answer the name
'His Excellency' until the material condition of ordinary Nigerians has
also become 'Excellent'. No Senator should continue to answer
'Distinguished' until the the masses of the people begin to experience a
distinguished existence and no Federal or state Legislator should wear
the badge of 'Honourable Member' until the ordinary citizen is himself
living a life that can be classified Honourable in every material
particular.
"This is a first significant step in erasing the class
barrier that misleads those at the helm of affairs into believing
erroneously that they deserve a better existence than the ordinary man
on the street, and thereby conferring them with the delusional
legitimacy to amass the public till on their behalf", he said.
Melaye is also offering his "Smart Solutions" to the
current economic crisis bedeviling the nation which if implemented are
capable of fast-tracking our way out of the recession. These Smart
Solutions range from the mundane, to the very radical.
"As a means of addressing the dwindling state of revenues
accruing to the federal government which is adversely affecting the
implementation of the 2016 budget, deliberate effort must be made to
attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country. This can be
achieved by improving the security situation in the North East and the
Niger Delta since no serious investor will put his his resources in a
climate where insecurity is a daily fare. Government's effort in this
direction must be two-prunged : a combination of military action and a
psychological warfare to win the hearts and minds of the people in the
two besieged regions.
" Government must also devise ways to pacify the Niger
Delta Avengers and other militant groups in the region through a very
creative, robust and efficient Amnesty programme. This programme must
also be implemented simultaneously with a robust and sincere "Marshall
Plan" for the development of the region. The combined effect of the New
Amnesty Programme and the Marshall Plan will not only ensure sustainable
peace and development in the area, but also prevent the mutation of new
militant groups in the future since there would have been a systemic
disincentive for their emergence.
"Needless to add, sustainable peace in the Niger Delta
would lead to the security of oil installations, boost oil and gas
production, increase foreign exchange earnings, attract more revenue to
the coffers of the governments at all levels, facilitate the
implementation of budgets and ultimately result in a marked improvement
in the standard of living of the generality of the citizenry, and not
just for the privileged few", he emphasized, adding:
"The diversification of the economy away from the current
mainstay-oil, to agriculture and manufacturing must also be pursued more
aggressively if Nigeria must be pulled out of the recession in the
shortest time possible. In this regard, access to single digit interest
facilities to investors in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors
should be made less tedious and seamless. Tax holidays can also be
considered as an incentive to get more investors, both local and foreign
to take to agriculture and manufacturing to create jobs and boost the
real sector.
"Furthermore, relevant laws must be reviewed and new ones
enacted to give states and local governments higher stakes and autonomy
in the exploration and exploitation of solid minerals in their domains.
This will breed competition amongst states and local governments, create
jobs, boost the local economy and reduce unemployment, crime and other
associated social vices".
Melaye, a dogged anti-corruption crusader and activist, is
also recommending Presidential Pardon and Amnesty for Treasury Looters.
There is a critical caveat though - Return the looted funds within six
months of the declaration of amnesty or face the full wrath of the law.
"Though an unrepentant advocate for integrity and
forthrightness especially from public office holders, l however
sincerely want to recommend that Mr. President grants Presidential
Amnesty/Pardon to all those who looted our treasury provided they return
all proceeds of their loot to the government within six (6) months of
the declaration of the Amnesty.
"This, I believe will encourage the voluntary return of the
the looted funds, empower the government financially to immediately
commence the implementation of projects and programmes that will
stimulate the economy and raise the peoples' standard of living, and
save the judiciary and other law enforcement agencies the agony of
fruitlessly pursuing the looters in and out of the courtrooms. In the
long run, this would be a win-win situation for both the government and
people of Nigeria.
"At the expiration of the six months' 'Moratorium', all
those who failed to comply would then me made to face the reality of
aggressive and expeditious prosecution and eventual jail terms for
convicts in accordance with the laws of the land", he concluded.
Senator Dino Melaye
Kogi West.
Kogi West.
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