… Let’s sell our idle assets –Osun gov
… Selling them amounts to auctioning Nigeria –Ekiti gov
From Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti, and Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Governors of Ekiti and Osun states, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola have, respectively, disagreed on the sale of national assets to finance the 2016 budget.
The governors expressed divergent views at the 20th anniversary of Ekiti State where Aregbesola delivered a keynote address on the current Nigeria economic challenges.
Aregbesola urged the Federal Government to sell off national assets he described as “idle” and spare functional ones as part of measures to end recession. His colleague in Ekiti, Fayose, opposed the idea and declared that selling off the nation’s assets amounts to auctioning Nigeria.
Speaking further, Aregbesola, proffered other measures to get out of recession, including concentrating on agriculture, end ing oil pipeline vandalism and regional integration towards meaningful development.
Aregbesola said: “We should revive agriculture, especially food production. Agriculture gives us raw materials for industries and aids in no small measure in economic development. If we can improve on our productivity in food production through agriculture, we will eliminate hunger in our land.
“ I want to urge all Nigerians on a concerted effort to end vandalism of oil pipelines as militants’ activities have reduced the nation’s daily productivity level to between 700,000 to one million per barrel.
“The current vandalism of oil pipeline by Niger Delta militants is robbing the nation of oil resources. This amounts to a huge loss of oil revenue to the country and has further led to the current recession in the country. An urgent, concerted effort is, therefore, needed to stop the vandalism so that the country could get out of the recession.”
But Fayose differed.
He said: “I’m totally opposed to the sale of the national asset, as selling the national asset is like selling Nigeria at give -away price; selling our national assets simply amounts to auctioning Nigeria.
“If we sell assets because the country is in recession, what would be left of Nigeria? What would we call our own? Selling of assets is like bringing the country more backward. If we sell the assets to finance this year’s budget what would we sell next year?
“The Federal Government should look beyond its party and assemble economists, financial experts, that would assist the President in his drive to bring the nation out of the present economic quagmire.”
The governor urged the federal government to, also, uphold the principles of justice and equity, which he said are germane to building democracy.
“Justice is very important and without it, democracy is already endangered. If people are now beginning to contest against INEC and security agencies for manipulation of elections, then, democracy is endangered.
“It is political parties that are supposed to contest elections and not people contesting against inadequacies of the electoral umpire. A virile opposition is a veritable ingredient of democracy.
“The federal government should promote justice and the rule of law and ensure that justice is administered to all parties irrespective of political affiliation.”
Explaining why he chose Aregbesola, a colleague from another political party as speaker for the occasion, Fayose said there was dire need for the nation to remove the veil of politics and work together as a team to rescue the nation from current economic woes.
“I took this decision that you should come, instead of my colleague from my party because, if we don’t take away the veil of politics and wear the armour of Nigeria, we will be wasting our time. I’ve personally visited you before and I’m glad you are also here.”
Earlier, Aregbesola praised Ekiti people as men of integrity and courage, urging them to continue to unite in integrity and courage and support their governor for the development of the country.
Meanwhile, Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Revd. Joseph Akinfenwa has also joined some other Nigerians to condemn the planned sale of national assets.
The cleric made this known, yesterday, when he delivered a sermon on Nigeria’s 56th Independence anniversary and commissioning of new Diocesan evangelists at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Oluyole Estate in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to Akinfenwa, sale of national assets is a means to continually exploit the poor masses in the country.
“It is an act of corruption because the assets are to be managed to generate wealth for masses and not to exploit the poor masses.
“How long are we going to sell the nation’s assets? The ones that were sold in the past, what did we use the money to do? And, who are the intending buyers?” he asked rhetorically.
Akinfenwa added that President Muhammadu Buhari must take proactive steps to tackle myriads of problems before him and not make people like Nnamdi Kanu, leader of a Biafran group popular and a hero.
Also, he urged the president to negotiate with key people in the Niger Delta to solve the protracted crisis in the area.
Bishop Akinfenwa said though the nation is sick Nigerians should thank God “because He has imbued in us a blessed nation.
“A conscious Nigerian will say what is there to celebrate in Nigeria with the present economic woes when companies are closing down, salaries are not paid, parents can’t pay their children’s school fees among others?
“ But, brethren, we must always have reasons to praise the Lord…”
“Every independent day celebrations reminds us the potentials of ourAkinfenwa also said corruption must not be limited to financial crimes alone but other crimes that are militating against economic development in the nation saying, “there are anomalies in the country that must be noted as corruption like lack of diligence at work, collecting money without work done, politicians promise during campaign but don’t fulfill and among others”.
Nation and the optimism of our people that the country will be the giant of Africa because the country is blessed with both human and natural resources.