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Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo - Politics (3) - Nairaland

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Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Nobody: 8:13pm On Aug 27, 2018
metronaija4:
In contrast to simple geographical restructuring of the country, prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly, are better ideas for Nigeria’s development challenges, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo who stated this while fielding questions from a cross-section of Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, the United States of America on Sunday, spoke on a wide range of issues covering the economy, anti-corruption, health, agriculture among others.

According to the Vice President, “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring. It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”

“I served for eight years as Attorney General in Lagos State and one of the chief issues that we fought for in Lagos state was what you call fiscal federalism. We felt that there was a need for the states to be stronger, for states to more or less determine their fortunes.

“So, for example, we went to court to contest the idea that every state should control, to a certain extent, its own resources (the so-called resource control debate). We were in court at that time up to the Supreme Court and the court ruled that oil-producing states should continue to get 13% derivation.

“While we were at the Supreme Court only the oil-producing states and Lagos were interested in resource control, everybody else was not interested in resource control for obvious reasons. Now, that is the way the argument has always gone, those who have the resources want to take all of it, while those who do not have want to share from others.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “My view is that we must create the environment that allows for people to realise themselves economically because that truly is what the challenge is with our country.”

The Vice President added that Buhari-led Federal Government has put in place an economic structure that is able to function properly despite previous challenges, particularly corruption that led to a slowdown in the economy.

On the impact of corruption on the economy and the solution adopted by the Buhari administration, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “Unless we are able to deal with the fundamental questions especially around corruption, our economic circumstance will keep going one step forward, two steps backwards”.

According to him, “When you talk about corruption in Nigeria, the truth is stranger than fiction. It is the kind of thing that would cripple an economy anywhere because you simply don’t have the resources for the graft and the greed of the numbers of people who want to steal the resources.

“All that we have been able to deal with is grand corruption. When we started the TSA, the whole point was to aggregate all of the funds of government that were in private banks. So we put all of the money in the central bank so that we could at least see the movement of money and by doing so, we were able to save 50% of the corruption that was going on then.”

He assured Nigerians in the US that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari could be trusted, noting that “we can say for sure that the President is not going to sign off money and just bring it out to share.”

Relying on OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure development despite the huge oil revenues realized by the country.

According to him, “Under the IBB / Abacha administrations (1990 – 1998) Nigeria realized$199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.”

“The question that we must all ask is that what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure.

“One of the critical things that we must bear in mind and see is that this government despite earning $94 billion, up until 2017, we are spending more on infrastructure and capital than any previous government, so we are spending N1.5 trillion on capital, that is the highest we have spent since 1990,” he added.

Responding to concerns on how government is utilizing recovered funds, the Vice President disclosed that the Buhari administration is committed to a transparent use of the funds in providing infrastructure.

He said: “What we are doing with the proceeds of corruption is by making it a line in the budget so that it can be accounted for properly; it is not a special fund somewhere that is just being used in any way, but as a single line in the budget for infrastructure which is our major spend.”

In the area of agriculture, Prof. Osinbajo said, the target was to attain self-sufficiency in the production of rice, tomato etc.

According to him, “We are doing a lot of work in agriculture. Take rice, for instance, we are doing a lot in rice production and we have increased local production such that we are no longer spending $5 million daily on rice import.

“Today, we are doing 11 million metric tons of paddy rice and are now importing only 2 per cent of what we used to import.”

On Nigeria’s rise on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, Prof. Osinbajo said though the challenges are daunting, the government was committed to going beyond the 24 places it moved up to in the last rankings.

The Vice President added that reforming Nigeria’s port system was top on the agenda of government as
efforts were underway to improve the turnaround time for cargo clearance at the ports.

According to him, “If you look at the port issue, for example, we must be able to clear our port system; people must be able to import and export their goods in hours not weeks and months.

“So, we have to work our port system and one of the things we have been able to do is what we call the National Trading Platform or the single window. We are getting to the point where we are going to launch the national trading platform where the whole port system is integrated into one.”

On improving the health budget at both the state and federal levels, the Vice President said the focus is on trying to do National Health Insurance because funding health care through budgeting has proved to be practically impossible.

According to him, “We simply do not have the resources, the states and Federal Government cannot do enough. So, the National Health Insurance is a very basic part of it and we are currently working now with the World Bank and with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a proper National Health Insurance Scheme.”

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mr Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor led other Nigerians within and outside the state of Minnesota to the meeting held in Minneapolis.

http://www.metronaija.ng/nigerias-problems-not-a-matter-of-restructuring-says-osinbajo-2/


Only the Enemies of Nigerians are against restructuring.

1 Like

Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by farem: 8:15pm On Aug 27, 2018
ct2:
correct, even if we restructure, our regional leaders will still cheat us

What they never bothered to ask is- what has happened to allocation in their states and local government area.
They are made to suffered
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by wink2015(m): 8:17pm On Aug 27, 2018
metronaija4:
In contrast to simple geographical restructuring of the country, prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly, are better ideas for Nigeria’s development challenges, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo who stated this while fielding questions from a cross-section of Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, the United States of America on Sunday, spoke on a wide range of issues covering the economy, anti-corruption, health, agriculture among others.

According to the Vice President, “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring. It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”

“I served for eight years as Attorney General in Lagos State and one of the chief issues that we fought for in Lagos state was what you call fiscal federalism. We felt that there was a need for the states to be stronger, for states to more or less determine their fortunes.

“So, for example, we went to court to contest the idea that every state should control, to a certain extent, its own resources (the so-called resource control debate). We were in court at that time up to the Supreme Court and the court ruled that oil-producing states should continue to get 13% derivation.

“While we were at the Supreme Court only the oil-producing states and Lagos were interested in resource control, everybody else was not interested in resource control for obvious reasons. Now, that is the way the argument has always gone, those who have the resources want to take all of it, while those who do not have want to share from others.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “My view is that we must create the environment that allows for people to realise themselves economically because that truly is what the challenge is with our country.”

The Vice President added that Buhari-led Federal Government has put in place an economic structure that is able to function properly despite previous challenges, particularly corruption that led to a slowdown in the economy.

On the impact of corruption on the economy and the solution adopted by the Buhari administration, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “Unless we are able to deal with the fundamental questions especially around corruption, our economic circumstance will keep going one step forward, two steps backwards”.

According to him, “When you talk about corruption in Nigeria, the truth is stranger than fiction. It is the kind of thing that would cripple an economy anywhere because you simply don’t have the resources for the graft and the greed of the numbers of people who want to steal the resources.

“All that we have been able to deal with is grand corruption. When we started the TSA, the whole point was to aggregate all of the funds of government that were in private banks. So we put all of the money in the central bank so that we could at least see the movement of money and by doing so, we were able to save 50% of the corruption that was going on then.”

He assured Nigerians in the US that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari could be trusted, noting that “we can say for sure that the President is not going to sign off money and just bring it out to share.”

Relying on OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure development despite the huge oil revenues realized by the country.

According to him, “Under the IBB / Abacha administrations (1990 – 1998) Nigeria realized$199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.”

“The question that we must all ask is that what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure.

“One of the critical things that we must bear in mind and see is that this government despite earning $94 billion, up until 2017, we are spending more on infrastructure and capital than any previous government, so we are spending N1.5 trillion on capital, that is the highest we have spent since 1990,” he added.

Responding to concerns on how government is utilizing recovered funds, the Vice President disclosed that the Buhari administration is committed to a transparent use of the funds in providing infrastructure.

He said: “What we are doing with the proceeds of corruption is by making it a line in the budget so that it can be accounted for properly; it is not a special fund somewhere that is just being used in any way, but as a single line in the budget for infrastructure which is our major spend.”

In the area of agriculture, Prof. Osinbajo said, the target was to attain self-sufficiency in the production of rice, tomato etc.

According to him, “We are doing a lot of work in agriculture. Take rice, for instance, we are doing a lot in rice production and we have increased local production such that we are no longer spending $5 million daily on rice import.

“Today, we are doing 11 million metric tons of paddy rice and are now importing only 2 per cent of what we used to import.”

On Nigeria’s rise on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, Prof. Osinbajo said though the challenges are daunting, the government was committed to going beyond the 24 places it moved up to in the last rankings.

The Vice President added that reforming Nigeria’s port system was top on the agenda of government as
efforts were underway to improve the turnaround time for cargo clearance at the ports.

According to him, “If you look at the port issue, for example, we must be able to clear our port system; people must be able to import and export their goods in hours not weeks and months.

“So, we have to work our port system and one of the things we have been able to do is what we call the National Trading Platform or the single window. We are getting to the point where we are going to launch the national trading platform where the whole port system is integrated into one.”

On improving the health budget at both the state and federal levels, the Vice President said the focus is on trying to do National Health Insurance because funding health care through budgeting has proved to be practically impossible.

According to him, “We simply do not have the resources, the states and Federal Government cannot do enough. So, the National Health Insurance is a very basic part of it and we are currently working now with the World Bank and with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a proper National Health Insurance Scheme.”

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mr Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor led other Nigerians within and outside the state of Minnesota to the meeting held in Minneapolis.

http://www.metronaija.ng/nigerias-problems-not-a-matter-of-restructuring-says-osinbajo-2/


Restructuring still remain the way forward from our battered federalism imposed by the military.

If nothing concrete is achieved within the next 10 years or less on restructuring militant in the Niger Delta will bomb the oil infrastructure not minding the so called strength of the federal army.

A stitch in time saves nine.

However, the current call for restructuring is not about crude oil alone.

It is much more than that such as the Fulani herdsmen killing, boko haram, middle belt crisis with Fulani taken over villages that belong to the natives.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Rebelutionary: 8:21pm On Aug 27, 2018
dingbang:
They said the pib will solve problems, where is the effect of the pib?
I have never been a believer in "magic bullets" like this whole restructuring thingy...the south south is a case in point. With all the resources that's been pumped in there, we can't see nothing of substance...restructuring is a tool and like every other tool e.g PIB, how it is used is what matters but you and I know the way the Nigerian factor of mindless corruption rubbishes those tools.

If we can't have good governance with proper management of resources in this setting where the keys to the vault is in Abuja..hmm..can't imagine what it will be like with the keys in so many hands..

1 Like

Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by StarOnEarth(m): 8:24pm On Aug 27, 2018
PenisCaP:
Shame!, from this midget,
If a so called man of God could be so compromised to this extent, then bliv me we are a very deep sh*t in this country,
Because any "messiah" that enters there gets compromised too.

And come to think Of it.. Nigeria is over 57yrs and up till now we still haven't found that messiah , THEN THERE IS NO MESSIAH!!.

I BLAME LUGGARD FOR MIXING UP THIS TOXIC MIXTURE IN THE FIRST PLACE
. angry
Did you even read the post at all?
You just come here and spill trash.
Be looking for saint up and down when y'all are the devil.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by MrMystrO(m): 8:34pm On Aug 27, 2018
TimeMachine:
Buhari is the best President Nigerians deserve at the moment. If Nigerians want him to continue, then that needs not concern me, I suppose the man is doing very well.

After all, I am not ready to vote. There is no one worth voting for so far. I will vote when Sanusi or Ngozi Iweala or Peter Obi contests.

No career politician is qualified to be Nigeria's President.

Vote for Kingsley Moghalu sir, He's very well qualified.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by vedaxcool(m): 8:38pm On Aug 27, 2018
CSTR1005:

Poverty has increased by 100% since buhari got in .

This is not propaganda. This is fact that even the NBS acknowledge.

How can you claim resources are now better managed when poverty has increased.

This is an obvious lie. NBS said the last Survey on poverty rates was in 2011 or so. Through out Jonathan regime poverty rated worsened consistently each year. To sit in one corner and pretend that you don't know this is typical resort to lie and dishonesty. To now say that an administration that has done more in addressing poverty through its social investment Programmes is not managing resources better is simply a dishonourable lies, an administration that got the least income in the past 20 years has spent the highest amount of money on infrastructure and addressing inequalities in the society is not only better managing our finances but significantly transforming what out resources are used for.

Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by ifiokjohn(m): 8:46pm On Aug 27, 2018
fulaniHERDSman:
grin grin
Only those out of power want restructuring ...
you know if we don't restructure, the day oil become worthless the whole country will pay for it...It is better we restructure now and and the north learn how to live without oil money than restructure when they is no more oil money.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by statusquoante: 8:47pm On Aug 27, 2018
I disagree with Osinbajo on this one... angry
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by bitterT(m): 8:48pm On Aug 27, 2018
Lalastically ! Why is this man drawing us back. We need restructuring period. No more no less.

http://www.metronaija.ng/nigerias-problems-not-a-matter-of-restructuring-says-osinbajo-2/

[/quote]
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Akpacha(m): 8:52pm On Aug 27, 2018
So at the time tinubu was at d forefront it was Nigeria problem? Now with d ruling party no longer Nigeria problem. Wicked liars!
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by brojoshua: 8:56pm On Aug 27, 2018
Nigeria's problems are Nigerians themselves. Nigeria's problem is corruption with its children such as injustice, unrighteousness, absence of truth and mercy, looting, selfishness, greediness, myopia, foolishness, blindness, wickedness, etc of almost all Nigerians starting from the (false) pastors, leaders and politicians, lecturers, down to the poor people.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by ifiokjohn(m): 9:04pm On Aug 27, 2018
Izognok:
There is sense in what prof Osinbajo is saying; however, the probability that majority will understand the truth in what he is saying is almost zero. Restructuring Nigeria at this stage cannot solve Nigeria's problem. The best solution is eradication of corruption first.

He acknowledged the fact that oil producing states want resources control. He said the truth, he actually led the team as the atrorney general of Lagos to front Tinubu's idea of fighting OBJ in court. Lol. But he knows better now. It is so funny. He actually fought OBJ so that Lagos can control more resources.

While I support the idea of giving more power to states in the future, I think his point is that it will still be same story if we do it now. In fact, those governors will finish everything. It will be worse. I agree with him. Really under normal condition, states should control the resources more. But my people, corruption must be tackled first. I believe this is what Osinbajo is saying.

The only lesson I learned here is that it is better to hold ones tongue and not make comments stupidly like majority here. Try to understand the basis of what he is saying. This professor is so gifted.

Anyway, it is a wrong call to be vice of someone that has a lower IQ. Honestly, it dulls one. This man is patient. I doubt any intelligent person can really take the kind of insults this administration has brought on this man. But if I was this man, I would resign. "Him dey try"

Well, maybe he is hopeful of becoming the president after Buhari. But will this Buhari even be re- elected? Honestly, I wish this man was the president of Nigeria.
corruption corruption corruption that what you guys like shouting. Heck, even america is corrupt yet daveloped they are many countries more corrupt than nigeria yet are more developed....
Stop shouting corruption and restructure this dam country let each region develop according to it pace

3 Likes

Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by mudiana(m): 9:04pm On Aug 27, 2018
ct2:
correct, even if we restructure, our regional leaders will still cheat us
any idea from a Nigeria politician is driven by self.

1 Like

Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Royalfurnitures: 9:06pm On Aug 27, 2018
The order time he said the APC govt Will restructure the country in their second tenure, now he is singing a different tune. These People can never be trusted.

Check out my signature for classy and durable furniture collections
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Nobody: 9:06pm On Aug 27, 2018
The man, Osinbajo was only playing on the audience's intelligence. They asked question about restructuring, he was talking about 'geographical' restructuring. Except the country is holistically restructured(a people's compacted constitution put in place), good governance for Nigeria will continue to be a mirage.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by blackboy(m): 9:24pm On Aug 27, 2018
VP Sir. You got some point but you are not being honest. Was SAP a success because Nigerians turned inward? You listed how much previous govt made. How much has your govt made? National Hospital; Abacha built. Power Plants GEJ built but your govt ?
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by namio10: 9:25pm On Aug 27, 2018
PenisCaP:
Shame!, from this midget,
If a so called man of God could be so compromised to this extent, then bliv me we are a very deep sh*t in this country,
Because any "messiah" that enters there gets compromised too.

And come to think Of it.. Nigeria is over 57yrs and up till now we still haven't found that messiah , THEN THERE IS NO MESSIAH!!.

I BLAME LUGGARD FOR MIXING UP THIS TOXIC MIXTURE IN THE FIRST PLACE
. angry

Flabbergasted by the House Nigger's Stand here.

Three regions - east, west and north became independent Nigeria 1960.

From 1967 to 1996, Northern Nigeria's Military dictators created 19 states and Abuja in one former northern region, but created only 17 states in the two former Southern regions, apparently using land mass or even population as criterion. But land mass or even population is never used as criterion to determine how many new political units, like states or lgas, can be created in any of the regions of a country formed by different regions.

The northern military dictators also enlarged Ironsi's unitary governance system to the present monstrous status which it is today, where the federal government in Abuja literally decides the life of every Nigerian.

The rigged political structure gave Hausa/Fulani-controlled northern region an undue political over-representation in Nigeria's political process.

The structure channels undue large portion of Nigeria's development resources to the northern region, but stiffles development in the old two southern regions.

The political structure enables whoever presidential candidate from the far north to beat whoever presidential candidate from any of the two southern regions, unless Hausa/Fulani said it is tired of presiding over Nigeria momentarily.

That's how Prof Osinbajo plays second fiddle to a Muhammadu Buhari today.

Nigerians have since 1999 been clamouring for democratic restructuring of the failed political structure and governance system.

For Osinbajo to utter these words in Minnesota shows that he lacks the wisdom to understand what has arrested Nigeria's development.

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by lagosrd: 9:31pm On Aug 27, 2018
http://www.metronaija.ng/nigerias-problems-not-a-matter-of-restructuring-says-osinbajo-2/

[/quote]

The man had backslides. When they were campaigning they said restructuring is the way. Now they are backing out as usual
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Ndonu101: 9:33pm On Aug 27, 2018
very dishonest pastor, who listens to him anymore?
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by pressplay411(m): 9:47pm On Aug 27, 2018
PenisCaP:
Shame!, from this midget,
If a so called man of God could be so compromised to this extent, then bliv me we are a very deep sh*t in this country,
Because any "messiah" that enters there gets compromised too.

And come to think Of it.. Nigeria is over 57yrs and up till now we still haven't found that messiah , THEN THERE IS NO MESSIAH!!.

I BLAME LUGGARD FOR MIXING UP THIS TOXIC MIXTURE IN THE FIRST PLACE
. angry

Even if you see your Messiah, will you recognise him or insult him too?
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Emycord: 9:48pm On Aug 27, 2018
fulaniHERDSman:
grin grin
Only those out of power want restructuring ...
very correct nigeria has 200 million citizens. and the people democratically into power at federal level are as follows:
1 president = 1
2 his vice = 1
3 senators = 109
4 house of reps = 360.
judiciary i have no compr. details but if you do pls add it here. then minus it from 200 million nigerians that are out of power. bear in mind that democracy is a game of numbers where minority have thier say but majority have thier way. now it is ok for the vp to want restr. while as lagos attorney cos he is not in power right? but now that he is in power its no longer ok abi ? and in your mind you think he will remain in power forever? so by then it will be right? sorry for you you have lifeless president in a shit.hole country
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by DozieInc(m): 9:51pm On Aug 27, 2018
Laughable statement.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by PenisCaP: 10:01pm On Aug 27, 2018
namio10:


Flabbergasted by the House Nigger's Stand here.

Three regions - east, west and north became independent Nigeria 1960.

From 1967 to 1996, Northern Nigeria's Military dictators created 19 states and Abuja in one former northern region, but created only 17 states in the two former Southern regions, apparently using land mass or even population as criterion. But land mass or even population is never used as criterion to determine how many new political units, like states or lgas, can be created in any of the regions of a country formed by different regions.

The northern military dictators also enlarged Ironsi's unitary governance system to the present monstrous status which it is today, where the federal government in Abuja literally decides the life of every Nigerian.

The rigged political structure gave Hausa/Fulani-controlled northern region an undue political over-representation in Nigeria's political process.

The structure channels undue large portion of Nigeria's development resources to the northern region, but stiffles development in the old two southern regions.

The political structure enables whoever presidential candidate from the far north to beat whoever presidential candidate from any of the two southern regions, unless Hausa/Fulani said it is tired of presiding over Nigeria momentarily.

That's how Prof Osinbajo plays second fiddle to a Muhammadu Buhari today.

Nigerians have since 1999 been clamouring for democratic restructuring of the failed political structure and governance system.

For Osinbajo to utter these words in Minnesota shows that he lacks the wisdom to understand what has arrested Nigeria's development.

Gbam!!
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by namio10: 10:04pm On Aug 27, 2018
metronaija4:
In contrast to simple geographical restructuring of the country, prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly, are better ideas for Nigeria’s development challenges, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo who stated this while fielding questions from a cross-section of Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, the United States of America on Sunday, spoke on a wide range of issues covering the economy, anti-corruption, health, agriculture among others.

According to the Vice President, “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring. It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”

“I served for eight years as Attorney General in Lagos State and one of the chief issues that we fought for in Lagos state was what you call fiscal federalism. We felt that there was a need for the states to be stronger, for states to more or less determine their fortunes.

“So, for example, we went to court to contest the idea that every state should control, to a certain extent, its own resources (the so-called resource control debate). We were in court at that time up to the Supreme Court and the court ruled that oil-producing states should continue to get 13% derivation.

“While we were at the Supreme Court only the oil-producing states and Lagos were interested in resource control, everybody else was not interested in resource control for obvious reasons. Now, that is the way the argument has always gone, those who have the resources want to take all of it, while those who do not have want to share from others.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “My view is that we must create the environment that allows for people to realise themselves economically because that truly is what the challenge is with our country.”

The Vice President added that Buhari-led Federal Government has put in place an economic structure that is able to function properly despite previous challenges, particularly corruption that led to a slowdown in the economy.

On the impact of corruption on the economy and the solution adopted by the Buhari administration, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “Unless we are able to deal with the fundamental questions especially around corruption, our economic circumstance will keep going one step forward, two steps backwards”.

According to him, “When you talk about corruption in Nigeria, the truth is stranger than fiction. It is the kind of thing that would cripple an economy anywhere because you simply don’t have the resources for the graft and the greed of the numbers of people who want to steal the resources.

“All that we have been able to deal with is grand corruption. When we started the TSA, the whole point was to aggregate all of the funds of government that were in private banks. So we put all of the money in the central bank so that we could at least see the movement of money and by doing so, we were able to save 50% of the corruption that was going on then.”

He assured Nigerians in the US that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari could be trusted, noting that “we can say for sure that the President is not going to sign off money and just bring it out to share.”

Relying on OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure development despite the huge oil revenues realized by the country.

According to him, “Under the IBB / Abacha administrations (1990 – 1998) Nigeria realized$199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.”

“The question that we must all ask is that what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure.

“One of the critical things that we must bear in mind and see is that this government despite earning $94 billion, up until 2017, we are spending more on infrastructure and capital than any previous government, so we are spending N1.5 trillion on capital, that is the highest we have spent since 1990,” he added.

Responding to concerns on how government is utilizing recovered funds, the Vice President disclosed that the Buhari administration is committed to a transparent use of the funds in providing infrastructure.

He said: “What we are doing with the proceeds of corruption is by making it a line in the budget so that it can be accounted for properly; it is not a special fund somewhere that is just being used in any way, but as a single line in the budget for infrastructure which is our major spend.”

In the area of agriculture, Prof. Osinbajo said, the target was to attain self-sufficiency in the production of rice, tomato etc.

According to him, “We are doing a lot of work in agriculture. Take rice, for instance, we are doing a lot in rice production and we have increased local production such that we are no longer spending $5 million daily on rice import.

“Today, we are doing 11 million metric tons of paddy rice and are now importing only 2 per cent of what we used to import.”

On Nigeria’s rise on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, Prof. Osinbajo said though the challenges are daunting, the government was committed to going beyond the 24 places it moved up to in the last rankings.

The Vice President added that reforming Nigeria’s port system was top on the agenda of government as
efforts were underway to improve the turnaround time for cargo clearance at the ports.

According to him, “If you look at the port issue, for example, we must be able to clear our port system; people must be able to import and export their goods in hours not weeks and months.

“So, we have to work our port system and one of the things we have been able to do is what we call the National Trading Platform or the single window. We are getting to the point where we are going to launch the national trading platform where the whole port system is integrated into one.”

On improving the health budget at both the state and federal levels, the Vice President said the focus is on trying to do National Health Insurance because funding health care through budgeting has proved to be practically impossible.

According to him, “We simply do not have the resources, the states and Federal Government cannot do enough. So, the National Health Insurance is a very basic part of it and we are currently working now with the World Bank and with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a proper National Health Insurance Scheme.”

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mr Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor led other Nigerians within and outside the state of Minnesota to the meeting held in Minneapolis.

http://www.metronaija.ng/nigerias-problems-not-a-matter-of-restructuring-says-osinbajo-2/



Tufiakwa.

So Osinbajo does not understand that corruption in Nigeria is from Nigeria's monstrous type of unitary governance system where a few persons in Abuja form government, collect the resources from all over Nigeria, share as much as the law prescribes to the states and lgas, then retain the rest to run the country?

He does not understand that this system is a recipe for gross corruption, because as the leaders are far away from the led, the leaders are hardly accountable to the led?

Nigerian people are in gross problems.

1 Like

Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by olalekan1(m): 10:30pm On Aug 27, 2018
ct2:
correct, even if we restructure, our regional leaders will still cheat us
If they cheat, people can easily deal with them unlike the current system that you must go to Abuja before you can even see your leader
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by brainhgeek(m): 10:39pm On Aug 27, 2018
I respect you sir but I will disagree with you on this.
Restructuring is what this nation needs to send our northern politicians' brain back to default setting.
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by johnzik: 10:53pm On Aug 27, 2018
This one is not the real osibanjo talking but the ghost of bubu. the real osibaba will talk when baba goes on vacation
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by joe120120(m): 11:07pm On Aug 27, 2018
metronaija4:
In contrast to simple geographical restructuring of the country, prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly, are better ideas for Nigeria’s development challenges, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo who stated this while fielding questions from a cross-section of Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, the United States of America on Sunday, spoke on a wide range of issues covering the economy, anti-corruption, health, agriculture among others.

According to the Vice President, “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring. It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”

“I served for eight years as Attorney General in Lagos State and one of the chief issues that we fought for in Lagos state was what you call fiscal federalism. We felt that there was a need for the states to be stronger, for states to more or less determine their fortunes.

“So, for example, we went to court to contest the idea that every state should control, to a certain extent, its own resources (the so-called resource control debate). We were in court at that time up to the Supreme Court and the court ruled that oil-producing states should continue to get 13% derivation.

“While we were at the Supreme Court only the oil-producing states and Lagos were interested in resource control, everybody else was not interested in resource control for obvious reasons. Now, that is the way the argument has always gone, those who have the resources want to take all of it, while those who do not have want to share from others.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “My view is that we must create the environment that allows for people to realise themselves economically because that truly is what the challenge is with our country.”

The Vice President added that Buhari-led Federal Government has put in place an economic structure that is able to function properly despite previous challenges, particularly corruption that led to a slowdown in the economy.

On the impact of corruption on the economy and the solution adopted by the Buhari administration, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “Unless we are able to deal with the fundamental questions especially around corruption, our economic circumstance will keep going one step forward, two steps backwards”.

According to him, “When you talk about corruption in Nigeria, the truth is stranger than fiction. It is the kind of thing that would cripple an economy anywhere because you simply don’t have the resources for the graft and the greed of the numbers of people who want to steal the resources.

“All that we have been able to deal with is grand corruption. When we started the TSA, the whole point was to aggregate all of the funds of government that were in private banks. So we put all of the money in the central bank so that we could at least see the movement of money and by doing so, we were able to save 50% of the corruption that was going on then.”

He assured Nigerians in the US that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari could be trusted, noting that “we can say for sure that the President is not going to sign off money and just bring it out to share.”

Relying on OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure development despite the huge oil revenues realized by the country.

According to him, “Under the IBB / Abacha administrations (1990 – 1998) Nigeria realized$199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.”

“The question that we must all ask is that what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure.

“One of the critical things that we must bear in mind and see is that this government despite earning $94 billion, up until 2017, we are spending more on infrastructure and capital than any previous government, so we are spending N1.5 trillion on capital, that is the highest we have spent since 1990,” he added.

Responding to concerns on how government is utilizing recovered funds, the Vice President disclosed that the Buhari administration is committed to a transparent use of the funds in providing infrastructure.

He said: “What we are doing with the proceeds of corruption is by making it a line in the budget so that it can be accounted for properly; it is not a special fund somewhere that is just being used in any way, but as a single line in the budget for infrastructure which is our major spend.”

In the area of agriculture, Prof. Osinbajo said, the target was to attain self-sufficiency in the production of rice, tomato etc.

According to him, “We are doing a lot of work in agriculture. Take rice, for instance, we are doing a lot in rice production and we have increased local production such that we are no longer spending $5 million daily on rice import.

“Today, we are doing 11 million metric tons of paddy rice and are now importing only 2 per cent of what we used to import.”

On Nigeria’s rise on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, Prof. Osinbajo said though the challenges are daunting, the government was committed to going beyond the 24 places it moved up to in the last rankings.

The Vice President added that reforming Nigeria’s port system was top on the agenda of government as
efforts were underway to improve the turnaround time for cargo clearance at the ports.

According to him, “If you look at the port issue, for example, we must be able to clear our port system; people must be able to import and export their goods in hours not weeks and months.

“So, we have to work our port system and one of the things we have been able to do is what we call the National Trading Platform or the single window. We are getting to the point where we are going to launch the national trading platform where the whole port system is integrated into one.”

On improving the health budget at both the state and federal levels, the Vice President said the focus is on trying to do National Health Insurance because funding health care through budgeting has proved to be practically impossible.

According to him, “We simply do not have the resources, the states and Federal Government cannot do enough. So, the National Health Insurance is a very basic part of it and we are currently working now with the World Bank and with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a proper National Health Insurance Scheme.”

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mr Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor led other Nigerians within and outside the state of Minnesota to the meeting held in Minneapolis.

http://www.metronaija.ng/nigerias-problems-not-a-matter-of-restructuring-says-osinbajo-2/



No restructuring,
No election
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by Ojiofor: 11:17pm On Aug 27, 2018
metronaija4:


According to the Vice President, “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring. It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”






Providing for the people properly means sharing 5k every month to almajiris in North as government is currently doing?
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by yipata: 11:22pm On Aug 27, 2018
U, WHAT DO U EVEN UNDERSTAND BY RESTRUCTURING, JUST KEEP QUIET AND LET US HEAR... SOMEONE IS SPEAKING.



dlondonbadboy:
Until we restructure this country, we are only fooling ourselves...
Re: Nigeria’s Problems Not A Matter Of Restructuring, Says Osinbajo by zinizta: 11:34pm On Aug 27, 2018
seunmsg:


What is your definition of restructuring? Can you propose a new workable structure for Nigeria? I really want to learn about your idea of restructuring and why you think it is the only solution to Nigeria's problem.


you are inviting ranters to an intellectual exchange.... Most ranters only re-echo the popular opinion and are too lazy to possess the capacity for a deeper level of understanding of the subject they comment on....

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