By Political Animal.
Methinks that when this Government is over after the looting going on,Nigerians will realize that Sanni Abacha had mercy on Nigeria.Not only mercy but pitied us.
As I was listening to the Minister of State for Petroleum after the Executive council meeting on Wednesday the 18/3/2021 on the Port Harcourt Refinery ,I could only shake my head in disbelief.
The Port Harcourt Refinery that is not worth $1.5 billion is what this Government is budgeting $1.5 billion to rehabilitate at almost the twilight of their tenure.Another sure way of raising money for re-election campaigns.
The same way they budgeted $500million to renovate the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) which is worth atmost $50 million .
NTA that people hardly watch because of the poor broadcast and news quality.
By the time the Government is through with us ,we shall all be clapping for the maximum military ruler Sani Abacha for coming a distant second in thievery.
This was the same Government that approved $300m for the repair of the Refinery in July 2017.Where are they diverting all these money for,if not in preparation for 2023 general election?
The refineries have become nothing but cash cows for different regimes and not this Government alone. What a shame.
As I was listening to him,he said that the project is for 30 months , which means by 2022, when their focus will be on the re-election campaigns ,they may have enough funds.What have they been waiting for ,since they came into power?.He was just rambling and I could not patiently wait to hear him out.
I partially hear him say the project is for 44 months which one are we to take.It was not too clear to me.May be those who listened to him all through may understand better .
My thinking is that they had no intention to rehabilitate the refineries but due to financial pressures from party members they had no choice.We know how these things work.Projects are always the avenue for the party in Government to raise money through contractors .These contractors inflate the budgets and pass the difference to the party.
The question is, what does it cost to set up modular refineries instead of rehabilitating an obsolete refinery?Are we cursed?
How many modular refineries can $1.5billion build and the employment opportunities? Somebody should please tell me.
How many professionals from the Nigeria Society of Engineers e.t.c ,designed,approved the Bill of Quantities for the project scheme?
What role did BPE play in this public project and private deals.What about the Bereau for public procurement.
Were they approved?
This is another white elephant project with tax payers money.
Could we not have auctioned these moribund refineries to competent entities ,who could have put them into proper use and create employment for our youths?.
I thought we were waiting for the technical audit or financial auditing going on for the past 9 months? Same thing with that of Ajaokuta steel company where we were expecting or waiting for the Russia tech auditors.?
It is sad that this will continue till 2023.
We all know that when they leave power in 2023,any incoming Government will not want to continue the process based on their lootery style and leadership and what is in the head of whoever will be in power.
Moreover,Dangote may not tolerate competition and will be happy to see the project abandoned.Remember that he has the financial muscle to make that possible.
It is sad that all the administrations have been using the same method of theivery.
Who is even teaching who , because ,
those I saw in the past administration, are also policy makers in this administration.
That is why assumed “corruption fighters” have become corrupt themselves.We should bring the season of budgeting for infrastructures and nothing is done to a close.As long as we “have thieves” as those that are supposed to “apprehend thieves” , nothing can be achieved.That is why the “opposition” is dead.You can’t do what you are accused of.
One of our leaders while on NTA said that we should be patient with Nigeria ,that after all, it took the USA 100+ to get to where they are now.
He was asking us how old is Nigeria to expect progress.In order words,”You have not seen anything yet”.
Unless there is an actionable plan by Nigerians to change the current story,they may sell us and our children.God forbid.
My happiness is that one day they will take their last meal.
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The Political Animal 