Good morning Mr President, let me start by expressing my happiness on your stands; against corruption, insecurity and yet to be seen by some, on Economy. For now, we the believers of your policy have been named ‘the hailing hailers’ by the wailers. But let me assure you that I am a firm believer of your words and action and believed you can make it happen for all to see.
Just last night on Channels ‘News @ Ten’ I listen to the proposed budget for the 2018 population census, a handsome amount of 222bn to be spend on counting the nation. I’m therefore writing this to bring to your attention, a number of issues.
Today the country is trying what it could to get the economy stable, create job for the teaming youths and fund capital projects for the masses.
Your Excellency sir, the Calabar rail line that almost breakup the country was just around 60bn, 222bn from my crude knowledge should build the entire rail tracks in the country should you decide to toll that line.
Sir, currently the CBN is giving out seed fund to youth corps. Assuming each youth is to get .5m, 222bn could be spread to almost half a million youths.
Sir, I listened to the honourable minister of mine and steels recently, he was keen on investment in to that sector, if you decide to toll that line, 222bn could revitalise Ajaokuta steel or at least can go very far; as we all know, that steel company can employ half a million people if its running optimally.
Mr President, power is at it lows in this country, and from all indications the private companies have failed us. If you decide to invest 222bn there, under a government like yours, a substantial result would be seen.
Sir, the east west road has been politicised over the years, you are very aware of what would happen to the economy, if we refuse to use the east, we are taking a huge risk that would be a huge loss to the economy. Should your excellency commit 222bn to that road, it will go along way or at least complete the section 5 which is to cost 165bn.
Mr president, you are presently cleaning the spillage in ogoni land, 222bn could help do a little to improve that work.
Sir, you are bent on improving the agricultural sector, just think of what 222bn would do should our famers be empowered with such money.
I could go on and on, Sir the country is a heavy load on your shoulder and you are more aware of this than I do. You must take prioritised decisions, you must do what is right, you must do what is popular at least for the sake of democracy. The purported amount of money for this census is not and should not be a priority, it is not right and it is not popular.
Just last year sir, Inec embarked on the election that usher you in as president, the most costly and popular election we have ever held as a nation, sir that election was not 200bn, yet it was criticised by many to be wasteful. Please do not embark on what will tarnish your image especially that it is an election year. It is unwise to embark on census in 2018 as the campaign for your reelection is on by the grace of God. A lot would not trust the figures and that would render the whole exercise useless.
I’m a living witness of the good road your administration has embarked on from Gombe to Yola, commit this money to doing more in other States. Embark on programmes that would better the life of the masses; not census. In our history no census figure has been acceptable, this would not be an exception.
Thank you Mr President
– Salihu Adam Jiddah
Lecturer: Federal University Kashere and Founder, Kogi Liberation Movement
