Prof John Ebhomien is a former Consultant to the United Nations Office on Project Services.
The former World Bank/IMF economist and financial management expert, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in this chat with Sunday Sun, speaks on the challenge of insecurity, the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, call for a single term of six years for presidents and governors, among other issues. Excerpt:
Recently, some lawmakers called for a return to regionalism and a single term of six years for presidents and governors? What is your response to such call?
The call by some National Assembly members for a return to regionalism and a single term of six years is uncalled for. Those calling for a return to regional governments should realise that the problems of this country have to do with leadership. Most leaders should realise that managing human and other resources require selfless services and self determination and other soft skills of humility, honesty, probity and accountability. Leaders at whatever level must possess the above mentioned skills for peak performance. When leadership is bad, no matter the system we operate, we will go under. Corruption is the bane of this country.
What is your take on the inability of labour, the Federal Government, the states and Organised Private Sector (OPS) to agree on acceptable minimum wage? How could this logjam be resolved?
The inability of the Federal Government, states, Organised Private Sector (OPS) and labour to agree on a consensus for the minimum wage is sad. The Nigerian work force deserves a befitting living wage as obtained in advanced countries. The issue of minimum wage which has been a recurring decimal should be resolved amicably. We are aware of the current realities on the ground, like rising cost of foodstuff and services which are at roof top. Even the landlords do not help matters. The average rent for a two-bedroom flat per annum go for N750,000. Three-bedroom flat goes for about N1 million to N2 million per annum in a densely populated areas of Lagos. So, when you look at what is on ground and cost of rents, transportation and food, the worker deserves a living wage. Apart from the work force, other Nigerians require palliative measures that will bring down the rate of inflation in all sections of the economy. Though the Federal Government has put in place some palliative measures, they have to do more to alleviate problems of food shortage. I will advise the government to set up food banks in all the states and local governments of this country. Price control and intelligence agencies should be set up.
How do you think the Edo and Ondo governorship elections will go in view of the echoes of violence that we hear and your advice to the stakeholders?
The forth coming Edo and Ondo states governorship elections are on the front burner because the politicians are trying to undo themselves to win. My advice to the candidates is that they must play according to the rules and regulations, as well as enabling Acts governing elections. They should avoid character assassination and those things that are likely to cause chaos, disharmony. They should play politics and campaign without bitterness. The political parties should advice their followers to play by the rules. Circus display of gangsterism by the key players and their followers must be avoided. They should realise that Edo and Ondo states are bigger than any individual or group of persons. Anyone that runs foul of the law must be prosecuted. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies must live up to expectation and ensure there is free and fair elections. The votes of the electorate must count. That is the only way to go. They should borrow a leaf from South Africans who recently conducted their election in a free and fair manner. The South African election commission must be applauded. The Nigerian INEC must borrow a leaf from its South African counterpart.
What is your take on the Rivers State crisis and how it could be resolved?
The Rivers State albatross has assumed a dangerous dimension. The key actors, Governor Fubara and Chief Nyesom Wike should realise that Rivers State is bigger than any individual or group of people. They should sheathe their swords and embrace peace for the sake of the average Rivers people who are yearning for the dividends of democracy. The Rivers State streets cannot be turned to battle ground. Governor Fubara should do everything within his powers to reach out to Chief Wike for political and amicable settlement. They should go to the roundtable with their top followers and resolve all the gray areas. Fubara should not forget in a hurry that Nyesom Wike is his godfather in politics. He must be humble enough to meet with Wike and iron out their areas of differences for amicable settlement.
How will you react to the negative impression Nigerians have on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are United Nations agencies established purposely to support nations of the world in managing their economy. They play special advisory roles to governments and also provide soft loans for developmental purposes. So, the negative impression by some Nigerians on the World Bank and the IMF is unfounded. If the governments of any country approach them for loans, and the loan requests are successful and approved and advanced to the country, it is the responsibility of the government, the monetary and fiscal authorities of the country to use the loans in transparent manner. There must be probity and accountability in the disbursement and utilisation of the loans for the intended projects. The World Bank and the IMF have the civil responsibility on issues that border on the economy on the way to go. It is incumbent on the government of the nations to accept their policies or advice taking into consideration all factors. The country’s government, on its part, must carry out sensitivity analysis.
It is on record that Nigerians always pick holes on the World Bank and IMF conditionalities. Why?
Nigerians have no need to worry about the World Bank and IMF conditionalities. In the first place, the government should have considered the conditionalities before taking the loans. For example, if someone approaches a commercial bank for loans, he has to consider all factors, including his collateral and the interest rate as well as what he wants to use the loan for before taking it. If you do not consider all these and you accept the loan and fails to pay back, when the bank comes calling, he should not blame anyone. The same thing applies to the World Bank and IMF loans.
Let’s zero down to insecurity and how you see the renewed suicide bombing in the Northeast?
The renewed suicide bombing in the Gwazo town of Borno State is worrisome. I am particularly disturbed that the insurgents have come up again with suicide missions to destroy lives and property with impunity. It is a good example of how things should not be. The perpetrators of this evil have taken rascality too far. The government should come up with full force and proffer lasting solution to this act of slaughter of man by man. The security agencies must go back to the drawing board with military precision on how to nip in the bud these dastardly acts. My sympathy goes to the victims and families who lost their lives, the Borno State government and the Federal Government. My prayer is that God Almighty will grant the souls of the departed peaceful rest. The Boko Haram and ISWAPS members should realise that Nigeria is bigger than any individual or group of people. Nobody should be above the law. Those people and their sponsors who are responsible for these evil machinations should be fished out and brought to book. The Department of State Service (DSS) and other intelligence agencies must go all out and fish out those responsible for this heinous crime. This evil must not be allowed to continue. We have had enough of this evil acts.
What do you think is the solution to curb this spate of insecurity in the country?
The spate of insecurity in the country can be checked if the security agencies can develop synergy on how to counter the insurgency that is holding the nation and Nigerians on the jugular. The government should invest large sums on security hardware and modern technology. Crime fighting is now based on strategic approaches in place of baseless conjectures and analogue ideas. The security agencies should acquire modern sophisticated weapons as applicable in civilised climes like the US, Israel, Russia and France. The Nigerian citizens should cooperate with military agencies and the police by providing vital information in record time in respect of the perpetrators of evil. Nigeria should realise that security of lives and property is a collective responsibility that should not be left in the hands of security agencies alone. All stakeholders, especially the Organised Private Sector (OPS) such as banks and manufacturing industries and well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the security of lives and property should contribute in cash and kind for the prosecution of the war against perpetrators of evil in our society. This is the way to go.