[size=14pt]Why Jonathan's Govt May Revolve Around Okonjo-Iweala[/size]
Sunday, July 10, 2011

From Martins Oloja (Abuja Bureau Chief)


THERE is a sense of relief within the inner circle of President Jonathan's new cabinet, that the return of reform-minded former World Bank Vice President and Managing Director, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, would stabilise the administration.



Bono, left, Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Bob Geldof present thier findings about African aid at the Group of Eight conference in Berlin. A report by the African advocacy organization DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) reveals mixed results. While existing aid is being put to work in poor countries, most G-8 nations have not delivered the funds they promised.





She could also lead the much-touted Economic Management Team of the administration.


When the Senate screened her for the tough job last week, Okonjo-Iweala had spoken in diplomatic terms of the danger of having more than 74 per cent of the national budget as recurrent expenditure.


She said that a situation where the nation had to borrow to finance its expenses and bills of administration officials was not healthy.


Besides speaking significantly about the abuse of subsidy in Nigeria; she talked about how the federal legislature, which has been accused of being unfeeling towards the national treasury, should be part of a reform to free funds from its bloated recurrent expenditure for capital projects.


At the end of the screening, she was confirmed to lead the transformation economic team the president hinted before the cabinet was formed.


The Guardian learnt that contrary to some belief that she would be coming "to take over power" from the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Okonjo-Iweala is expected to strengthen relationship with the CBN leadership in a way that will benefit the economy.


"The CBN governor has been a lone ranger, indeed. Now, there is a sense of relief in the presidency that another courageous partner, a very knowledgeable economist, is coming on board to give good leadership that will shield Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the hawks who always see everything from religious and ethnic prism," a presidency source explained at the weekend.


President Jonathan, who has been politically besieged by his ruling party stalwarts for nomination and postings to some 'Grade A' ministries, is reportedly satisfied that despite all odds, there is a significant number of technocrats in the cabinet to tackle the battered economy under the leadership of the former World Bank senior manager.


Meanwhile, it was gathered that there is yet another fight over the Works Ministry. This time, the fight is not about the best person to be posted there, but about whose candidate is to occupy the post.


PDP insiders disclosed that the former Acting National Chairman, Dr. Haliru Bello and former Comptroller-General of Customs, who has been slated for the Defence Ministry, is being primed for the Works beat vacated by Sanusi Dagash, an architect.


In the same vein, former Works Minister, Chief Tony Anenih, is interested in his nominee from Edo State, Onolenmemen, to be given the job.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53953:why-jonathans-govt-may-revolve-around-okonjo-iweala&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

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