Policy Reversals: Real reasons Govt do not Impact on Nigerians.
By Edward Wabundani
As a patriot, I feel glad and excited with most government policies and programmes. I like them most especially the people oriented ones, designed to advance the cause of a good people in a great nation. But conversely, I dislike the way and manner a number of such policies are being implemented. My reasons are not farfetched. For one, the country has had several development plans since the inception of democracy in 1999, but unfortunately, the nation still lags behind in key development indicators. Inspite of the perfect plan of action prepared by successive governments to better the lot of the people, there is virtually nothing practical to show in terms of their successful implementation. It’s a sad commentary.
Among some of the factors identified as responsible for this lapse includes but not limited to: the lack of content and depth in consistency and inappropriate policy mix, discontinuity, non availability of reliable planning data as well as lack of capacity and discipline for execution and also failure of successive administrations to translate macro-economic gains into improved living condition of Nigerians.
The recent pronouncements credited to CBN’s Charles Soludo at the floor of the National Assembly and the dramatic change is one of such cases in reference. While responding to members of the red chambers who sought to know the financial position of Nigeria in the current Global Economic Meltdown Mr Soludo ‘was quoted as saying that “Nigerians should not be discouraged by the phenomenon”. He explained that the effects have nothing to do with our economy. That Nigerian’s financial position is viable and unshaken. But just last week, at a forum in Lagos, the boss of the Apex Bank who is also a member of the Federal Government “Economic Team” swallowed his words and charged gear. This time he was also quoted as saying that “the Federal Government does not have solutions to rescue the country from the grip of Global Financial crisis”. According to him, the nation is merely responding to the global crisis that is ravaging both developed and developing nations.
Privatization of the country’s Refineries was one of the major policies earmarked for execution by the Obasanjo regime between 1999 and 2007, but immediately on assumption of office, the present administration reversed the decision. The policy was put on hold until recently when the Yar’adua regime again intimated Nigerians that the govt does not have the capacity or political will to resuscitate the country’s major refineries.
The recent change in tack barely 24 hours after Vincent Ogbulafor, the PDP National Chairman offered automatic tickets to its National Assembly members is another inappropriate policy mix committed by the present administration.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the No. 1 citizen of the ruling party has goffed again His action is in contradiction of the party’s constitution. Specifically, Article 17 (A-F) provides for the conduct of primaries to elect candidates of the party for each public office. Of course the conduct of such primaries is subject to guidelines released by the National Executive Committee of the party. Hence, there is no provision for automatic candidates in the PDP constitution. Maybe he wanted to justify his last year’s statement when he said, “PDP will rule Nigeria for 60 years”.
The most recent of the Yar’adua regime’s policy somersault is the Federal Executive Council’s move to extend this government’s tenure by two years. The alarm raised by some members of the NASS, were concerned that the FG has resolved to doctor the Electoral Reform report prepared by the Justice Uwai’s Committee.
The palpable fear expressed by Nigerians and some of the NASS members is that, if the govt insisted on implementing the new version of the report which proposed a two year tenure elongation for the president and all the incumbent governors, our hard earned democracy will be in jeopardy.
The last policy somersault in the first quarter of 2009, maybe the restoration of police orderlies attached to some govt functionaries earlier withdrawn by the Federal cabinet last week. Government’s decision to withdraw orderlies of the aforementioned category of people had no doubt overheated the polity, as it is a universal policy the world over to attach police orderlies especially to judges whose lives are always in danger. It shouldn’t have been contemplated in the first place.
Infact policy reversals since the restoration of democracy barely 10 years ago in Nigeria are legion. Most if not all of them may have been caused by the leadership. Even members of the Federal Cabinet may have been culpable. Nigeria cannot continue to lag behind in terms of development. Policy reversals caused by inconsistencies on the part of govt should be contained. This can be attained by a concerted effort to do away with micro-management of issues by the leadership. The govt may require a high quality of political appointees and trusted professional advisers with the interest of the nation at heart. In addition, a review of the size of govt whereby some functions performed by Ministries, Agencies and Depts are merged for optimum productivity, may take us to the Promised land
Edward Wabundani is a Journalist and can be reached on quiveer@yahoo.com
