Kalu calls for healthy relationship between executive, legislature
— 14th July 2016
EMINENT businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has called on members of the National Assembly to support the Presi­dent Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, noting that a harmonious relationship be­tween the executive and legis­lative arms of government was in the interest of Nigerians.

According to the former governor, members of the red chambers should reconcile their internal differences ami­cably in order to focus on their legislative duties , adding that name-calling among members was dangerous for Nigeria’s de­mocracy.

Kalu, who is on a business trip to Belgium, made these remarks yesterday while ad­dressing some members of the Belgian-Nigeria Business Asso­ciation (BNBA) led by Morris Leon on the state of the Nige­rian nation at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels.

He said, “Nigeria is gradually regaining the confidence of the international community as President Buhari’s efforts in fighting corruption and ter­rorism are yielding positive results. Within a year in office, Mr. President has through the armed forces, curbed the ac­tivities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and normalcy has now returned to the North East and other parts of the Northern Nigeria. President Buhari has also visited many developed countries to facili­tate and strengthen business relationships with Nigeria.

“The investment destina­tion in Africa is Nigeria. The country is blessed with un­tapped resources, including a vast market owing to popula­tion of approximately 200 mil­lion people. I make bold to say that any investor that has not invested in Nigeria will regret in the nearest future. There are opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and services, among others. Cur­rently, the Nigerian government is supporting initiatives aimed at diversifying the economy as against depending on oil”.

On the leadership crisis rock­ing the Nigerian Senate, Kalu noted that it was important for the Senators to settle their inter­nal differences amicably and not lose focus of their legislative du­ties for which they were elected.

According to him, the pur­pose of the National Assembly is to make laws that would ben­efit the citizenry, pointing out that members of the red cham­bers have spent too much time on internal wrangling.

“It is unfortunate that con­sidering the current financial and other challenges facing Nigeria, some members are clamoring for immunity and life pension for principal offi­cers”, he said.

On the issue of the Indig­enous People of Biafra (IPOB), Kalu called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, adding that the President should meet and dialogue with stakeholders in South East Nigeria towards re­building the region.

The former governor used the opportunity to call on President Buhari to set up an independent economic man­agement team comprising of reputable business people in various sectors of the Nigerian economy to advise government on practical strategies and policies to drive the nation’s economy.

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