A popular joke in Nigeria’s comedy
circle aptly captures the spendthrift culture of President Goodluck
Jonathan’s administration.
The joke, “Money is not a problem, but
how to spend it,” paints a picture similar to that of the Prodigal son
in Biblical parable, who was given to unreasonable and wasteful
spending.
To be fair to him, however, the Prodigal
son only squandered his inheritance, not public funds meant for the
good of all, as the case is in Nigeria.
Jokes apart, over 70 per cent of Nigerians currently living below $1 a day, are not smiling at all.
This is especially so as their
sensibilities were constantly insulted by spurious use of public funds
by those kept in trust of it, while they grapple with deteriorating
basic infrastructure and institutions.
This brings a recent experience to mind.
An indigent woman was seen at the Ikeja Under-the-Bridge area of Lagos
State with a baby strapped to her back and a thatched umbrella.
It was a really hot afternoon and being
barely able to carry herself, she went to and fro trying to catch up
with other ‘struggling’ Nigerians along the road, to woo them to part
with some change.
But out of every 10 people she whispered her plight to; hardly did she get a Good Samaritan to give her a sum.
This price she paid everyday to feed herself and baby to stay alive.
Her case, however, is one among several thousands of poor and hungry Nigerians there on the streets.
In a dispensation in which over 70 per
cent of its citizens cannot afford to feed, Jonathan would stop at
nothing to impress himself by oppressing the poor.
Jonathan, who claimed during his
election campaign rallies to have been raised in poverty-stricken and
deprived circumstances, can now afford the luxury of N1bn feeding and
refreshment budget on the nation’s bill.
Continue reading after the cut....
It was Mother Theresa who said, “There
must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have
worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people
throwing away things we could see.”
She sure spoke of a sane society. Mother
Theresa would certainly feel sick to realise that public officials can
afford to live well in Nigeria and they didn’t have to work for it.
The recent purchase of two BMW armoured
vehicles at a whopping N255m, by Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah,
appears to send another perish-if-you-would signal to already battered
Nigerians.
For many, more annoying is the fact that
in its characteristic manner, the President has set up one of his
numerous panels to probe what is obvious.
Just as was provided for in the 2012
budget, Jonathan and Vice President’s food and general catering services
in 2013 is costing Nigerians about N1bn (N990.24m precisely).
The total feeding expenditure for the
Presidential Villa for the current fiscal year 2013 is only N2.33m shy
of N992.57m, the amount the government spent on foodstuff and
refreshment in the previous budget year.
A breakdown in the 2013 budget showed
that the sum is the cost of purchasing foodstuffs, refreshment, cooking
gas, catering supplies and kitchen equipment for the president and his
deputy’s offices and residences.
But how much does a decent feeding cost? Do the wares in the Aso Villa kitchen get changed every year?
If wiser cost-saving measures are
introduced, tax-paying Nigerians, who watch this trend with helpless
nostalgia, believe that N1bn can at least provide better healthcare and
education for Nigerians.
Basic civil engineering search showed
that N1bn is enough money to build over 100 blocks of classrooms for
public primary or secondary schools in Nigeria.
This amount will also conveniently build over 50 good healthcare centres in the South-South, where the president hails from.
The initial announcement in 2012 about
the N1bn enhanced feeding package for the presidency, had incited rage
amongst the polity, as prominent Nigerians described it as
“insensitive.”
A constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse
Sagay, SAN, had described the bill as “insane, while wondering why the
country’s leaders were careless with public funds.
But does the Jonathan’s leadership give a hoot?
-Bosede Olusola-Obasa
Share your thoughts....thanks!
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