Agagu and Imoke to execute Yar’Adua’s power emergency projects
June 24th, 2008 | Published in Corruption, Governance, Nigeria | 5 Comments
Governors Olusegun Agagu (Ondo) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River) are two of the three governors drafted into the Power Emergency Implementation Committee to monitor the investment in the power sector. As from July, the federal government will start spending some $4 billion USD on power plant projects nationwide.
If you are thinking as I did, you will wonder why those men.
The two governors were former OBJ ministers, who managed the power projects from 2000 to 2008. Those projects, the nation later discovered - thanks to House of Representatives probe - are a cesspool of corruption. This blog and several others discussed the House probes then, see: Nigeria deserves to be in darkness and Obasanjo waived due process to fast-track power projects.
Just when I was getting enthusiastic that the president will be different and capable of thinking out of the box; the inclusion of these men is a downer.
It shows it’s still business as usual in Nigeria, where the same old incompetent hands get recycled. Since the federal government has remain stuck in its old ways of doing things, it is no surprise that the label “federal” has become a synonym for “failure”.
How can the nation attain fresh and desirable outcomes when it keeps making the same mistakes over and over again?
June 24th, 2008 at 12:38 pm (#)
Well, whoever thought that a sleepy president who does not have a clue as to leadership skills could come up with results would be wrong. I mean President Yaradua, who seems to be letting Nigerians down over and over again. Some people try to hang on to the top by manipulating and using others in the way. Well it soon goes wrong when those being used are as clueless. This is the Nigerian tragedy. Agagu of all people should not be allowed near any of our nations money. Aviation Minister, what happened? Power sector probe, what is happening, Ondo State Governorship saga what will happen and yet, … or maybe this is a way of placating someone who very soon will find himself without a protfolio??? Well MR PRESIDENT you are making a HUGE mistake and Nigerians are the ones still suffering for all these executive blunders. Please tell me someone, does it mean there are no people with real integrity, leadership acumen and SENSE to direct the helms of affairs in Nigeria. I WEEP YET AGAIN FOR MY COUNTRY. SO SAD.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:31 pm (#)
“Just when I was getting enthusiastic that the president will be different and capable of thinking out of the box; the inclusion of these men is a downer.”
Quick question: Does Yardy have a choice? Can he use the excess crude fund without he support of every governor?
If the answer is yes, then I understand your sentiment.
However, if the answer is something other than yes, then isn’t he doing what he has to do to get the power sector reinvigorated? And wouldn’t that be what we expect and actually require from the person in charge?
I’ll be back to see your thoughts as I really would like to know.
Take care.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:36 pm (#)
Solomonsydelle: Yar’Adua has a choice; he’s the president and Commander-in-chief…the problem is he has no idea how to exercise this choice and make it work.
There are several ways to get the power sector reinvigorated, but through the Agagu and Imoke? Have we forgotten what the House Probe revealed about these men???
It is absurd that these hands are still been played in the Yar’Adua’s game-plan when there are other capable hands. Look at their track records, particularly Agagu.
We can keep doing things the same way in Nigeria and keep expecting different results.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:07 pm (#)
Imoke!!! nuf said
June 27th, 2008 at 11:27 am (#)
This Nigeria sef!