₦airaland Forum

Irrespective of motives and the constitution, the senator (along with every Nigerian) has the right to question the president's appointment of only people from a particular state (or region) into key positions in a specific sub-sector. It becomes more suspicious when the president himself is from the same region.

The question in of itself does not mean that the president's appointments are primarily based on ethnicity, but that is up to the president to clarify when defending the appointments.

We shouldn't wait until the entire cabinet is made up of only people from a particular region before raising questions.

existing thread https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-276422.0.html

asha 80:
And how do you this under the present circumstances?

By directing all efforts towards installing checks and balances in the system, and working towards a more transparent system.
The specifics of how to accomplish this would depend on the individual. For example
- one can participate in peaceful demonstrations while others might choose a more violent demonstration of their grievance
- the press can better educate the people by providing them with information needed information. The internet has greatly reduced the cost of dispersing information.
- the people should shun sycophancy of the corrupt leaders, and be willing to criticize objectively irrespective of the ethnicity. Too often we shout at the crimes of a man from another ethnicity but keep quiet when the same atrocities are carried out by our kinsmen.
- the same transparency  and accountability should be demanded from bottom up, and not just reserved for those at the top. Let the primary school headmistress be accountable, as is the lLG councilors, as is the governor and the  president
There are obviously other ways to achieve the same goals, (and one can argue to the merit or practicability of my suggestions) but I feel the primary objective is correct and that objective is what should guide all efforts.

asha 80:
Are they not embezzling it now?

Why would a governor stress himself over revenue when he knows that there would alwways be allocation from abuja?

Yes, they are embezzling now, and that is why I say that the problem to be addressed is curbing the corrupt practices and holding the people in power accountable.
Most seem to disagree with me, and feel regionalization and resource control is the way forward. I am simply trying to see how those changes would improve the life of the common man.

asha 80:
It will give the structure nigeria needs.

So after regionalization and resource control have been implemented, you think those in power at the regional level will not embezzle money to the detriment of the people?

SapeleGuy:
Change is certain and inevitable. Resource Control and Regionalisation are fast approaching.

You sound quite confident that resource control and regionalization will lead to a better standard of living for the ND people (and the average Nigeria).

It is good to carry every ethnic group along in government so that some will not feel marginalized, but ethnic sentiments should always take a back seat to merit (with competence riding shotgun).

I will always take a guy from any remote ethnicity, who performs well in office, over my own kinsman who is incompetent. Of what use is my kinsman being in office, if he cannot improve the prospects of my descendants.

The source of our problems has never been our ethnic differences, but our leaders not being answerable to the people.

Sagamite:
Let me clarify my position a bit more, my argument is not based on increase or decrease of remuneration to correlate with performance, my argument is based on providing sufficient remuneration to aid performance required for the role.

Probably the latter is what you refer to as "that point". My argument is that the current remuneration, in my opinion, is over that point but not horribly over it. "That point" is quite subjective.

The sweet point is definitely subjective. At least no one seems to think the current remuneration is too low.

I wish we could split the legislative into two halves, with one half coming up for re-election every two years, and bills that affect their remuneration do not take effect till the next 2yr phase (when half of them will be up for re-election and would possibly not be beneficiaries of the changes if they lose the elections)

Sagamite:
If you look at my argument, you will find that I preempted that circularity by stating:

"No 2, there would be a level of living that would be required for such public people that have a function to perform (not my argument if they do not perform it) to ensure you entice high quality people (although this is not taking place)"

"Critical analysis tells me that running a country's political infrastructure is expensive, and looking at Nigerian figures, it looks excessive to the common man (and probably is) but appropraite funding is needed to tackle corruption and aid efficiency. It is left to a good government to ensure this pay does so especially in a country that is known for doing otherwise."

The reason we fail to attract quality is because the electoral system is lame and full of rigging, no thanks to the likes of Prof Iwu, and political power structure is embedded in the den of historical looters and losers.

The pay package of politicians is only part of the package to achieve efficiency and limit corruption, not the solitary element in the package.

So the pay package will help once the other 2 are dealt with.

If we cannot correlate performance to remuneration on a direct proportionality basis (i.e. increase/decrease funding = increased/decreased performance), then we can not then make the argument of justifying the current remuneration based on expected performance (as the expectation now has no basis).

I agree that there is a level (or range) that would be optimal. The question is where is that point. Without knowing that point we cannot then judge the level of excess (or otherwise) of the remuneration.

If the problem of performance is from the electoral process, then why would halving their income have an adverse effect?

In light of the composition and performance of the legislature, I think the amount in question is grossly excessive, and should be trimmed down to the barest minimum, pending the time when the electoral process improves and we get better legislators, and/or the greedy ones are discouraged from the office. Unfortunately the change needs to be approved  by the legislature 

Sagamite:
biina,

You still haven't responded to my question on the second page.

Sorry missed the it earlier.

Your argument related funding to performance. For example, you said a standard of living is required to attract high quality people, and that appropriate funding is needed to tackle corruption and aid efficiency.
The Nigerian legislature does not consist of high quality people, corruption is endemic and the system is inefficient.
Following your argument, we can say that we are not enticing the high quality of people and thus increase the standard of living to attract such and funding is inappropriate to tackle corruption and inefficiency?
If the last statement is untrue, the alternative argument is to look for other reasons why the system has failed, which then discredits the initial premise of relating the appropriate funding to appropriate performance.

This is my understanding of your argument. I might have misunderstood your position, then please simply clarify your views

babalase:
Am so sorry guys,i cant let out the main figures as my job ethics do not allow that and i will like to inform this forum that constituency allowances are not paid directly into the legislator account but will be asked to submit what his or her constituency needs totaling to certain amount to approprate ministry for example if it constituency project that has to do with pipe-born water it will be forwaded to water resources minisrty,if it has to do with electricity it will be forwarded to ministry of power etc.
the main problem with our legislators is that 90% of them are not well read so it is difficult for them to understand how to pass a bill and responsibility as federal legislator of the federal republic of nigeria due to their poor educational background some of them can not speak for the people they are representing because they cant speak english and vanacular is not allowed so they prefer to warm the sit and do fashion parade.

Then please hold your peace.
It is in bad taste to accuse another poster of posting erroneous information, when you are aware apriori that you cannot substantiate your allegations with evidence (veritable or otherwise).
Stating where you work simply to lay credence to your post is even worse.
In the future, please refrain from making claims you cannot substantiate when challenged.

Kobojunkie:
I don't believe my "grouse" (if any) is any of your business, given that I directed the post at @Londoner. I was just wondering if you were actually following the conversation since you chose to respond to my post there, but I am quite sure you are not. So nevermind!

It is a public forum. I am free to respond to any post I like, and you are free to ignore any post at your discretion.
If you have problems with discussing issues on a public forum, you can simply create your own private virtual world.
You don't make the rules.

babalase:
you are very wrong poster,am a staff of national assembly abuja and i will like to state here that the allowance is not that bougus,ok. not even up to half of what you posted.
but i agree with you that they are well paid for doing nothing.

care to post the true figures?

which one be minister for national planning sef? what is he planning?
Just another avenue for embezzlement

Kobojunkie:
Did you read the article??

I really don't see what you are getting at.

The articles states that  the contract awarded is for construction on two expressways: the Airport Expressway and Outer Northern Expressway (Kubwa Expressway). Both will be expanded from their existing 4 lanes to 10 (additional six lanes). The contract also covers the construction of interchange bridges around Kubwa, Dutse/Bwari, Katampe Extension and Barracks/IBB Golf Course Junctions, along the Outer Northern Expressway, as well as around the Kuje and Lugbe Junctions along the Airport Expressways.

So what is your grouse?

Kobojunkie:
Where in the article are you told to make the above assumption?

assumption? I simply gave a possible scenario under which changing an 8-lane road to 10-lane could entail as much as building the 10-lane road from scratch.

I don't believe anyone on here is privy to the exact details of the construction, so it is simply a possibility.

FL Gators:
My friend, no be so o.
One night stand, you never know if the dude was actually good or you were drunk

simple fix: stand another night

PapaBrowne:
The word "Thai Obayashi" is not the full reason I feel it is in Thailand.
The inscription beneath and besides the word "SAFETY" is written in Thai alphabets. That is enough reason to prove that it is a construction site in Thailand.

Pictures speak a thousand words. Using a wrong picture to support the story puts doubts in the minds of the reader as to the authenticity of the article.
"Maybe the State Government isn't transforming Lagos into a huge construction site, since there are no pictures to prove it".

I wasn't disagreeing with your deductions. Like I said, I also don't recognize the background scenery.

Further info http://www.justiceafrica.org/
May his soul rest in peace

Gorimapa [/i]or [i]Gorimese, I go lov am like dat.


OT
Reminds me of Gorimapa, the king's messenger in the TV series, The village Headmaster

@ikeyman00
Before you carry away lady-T and all the ladies, wey ur own pic?

PapaBrowne:
The attached part of the pic seems to prove this to be Thailand!

Thai Obayashi is a Thailand based construction firm. http://www.thaiobayashi.co.th/
Though that doesn't preclude the location from not being lagos, as I cant recognize any of the structures in the background

Kobojunkie:
When lagos was capital, we did not have projects like this. I wonder why you decided not to respond to my post to you concerning the project not being a START UP. The almost 2 billion was put aside to add lanes, not build the road from scratch.

In all fairness, depending on the existing structure, they might have to break up parts of, or the entire four lanes, before adding the new ones. At times, an homogeneous layer is preferred to ensure surface integrity and proper drainage.

@poster
You could have simply said 'I am lazy' in place of the ceremonious list
Anyways, congrats on your self discovery.

FL Gators:
Aunty, we both now you sef go test drive.

I'm not ending up with a man that can't work it.

But at the same time, it doesn't mean to hump every guy out there na. Do it with who you care abt and who u know you're going to stick with.

I don't get the gist about one-night stands

Now we are splitting hairs. One night stand or 10yr courtship, all cement bags are the same

@bawomolo
ma je kin tu asiri e ni bi.
And you're supposed to e protesting naked for me.
get to work.

Chineke!!!

cos how I look is irrelevant

naijaking1:
"The ND area should be developed and given the needed infrastructure that it deserves"

No, the ND or any other part of this country needs not be developed and given the needed infrastructure
This a rubbish, socialistic, and government-will do-everything-for me mentality that has driven us backward for over 40 years.
The ND needs to develop at it own pace, using the natural resources from the area. They should also be allowed to provide themselves with infrastructures as needed and as capable. The other regions should also be allowed to do same.

This line of thought is what I disagree with.  You don't cut off your nose just to spite your face.
You are more focused on who is providing the development, as opposed to the provisioning of the development itself. What difference does it make if the infrastructure is provided by the federal, state, local government or community?
Were we not running said regional government before the civil war; what did we have to show for it? Is it not alleged that the oil reserves were the incentives for ojukwu to declare  biafra?
Have you ever considered what would happen to the downstream states if said theory was applied to the Rivers Niger and Benue? Uncontrolled damming of the rivers will result in droughts and/or floods downstream.
Have you ever wondered what would happen to inland states if said was applied to the coast and associated ports? They can simply restrict importation of good destined to other areas.
Your argument is selfish in its view and that is a bane of the Nigerian society.

I suggest you study the government of different countries and contrast their styles. America is pro capitalist state while China is pro-socialist; are they both not doing well?
Spain is a unitary state, yet most of its regions have more freedom than the average federation.
It is never about the style or form of government, but always about how it is executed.

I wish they would grant the states resource control as you desire, so that we can all watch while you campaign and clamor (in the name of being equitable) that resource control be transferred to the local government level.

ThinkRait:
Granted, our leaders are corrupt but some of us will simply kill to get what we want.

What we should be discussing is, "How do we solve the current impasse?"

@ Biina,
If you are elected into the senate, will this be the kind of contributions you'll make?

elected in to senate?
I will never contest for a political office. I hate politics in all of its ramifications.

What I want is that funds be put to the use of the people. I feel Nigerians tend to get caught up in semantics and forget the underlying questions. I have heard Nigerians getting carried away with terms like capitalization and privatization, while they forget that the underlying objective is improvement of the standard of living of the populace. A goal our leaders have always failed to achieve.

The ND area should be developed and given the needed infrastructure that it deserves. I am less interested in if it is federal allocation or resource control, and definitely do not want to see innocent civilians being killed. Nothing will improve if we have the same corrupt individuals in office.

A case in point is the marked difference between the fashola and tinubu governments in Lagos. Without any changes in allocation or resource control, projects are being executed to meet the needs of the people. Fashola is likely not the best the state could get, but he is obviously a big step in the right direction (compared to ojuyobo who looted the coffers and squandered it in chicago).

On the other hand, the government of akwa-ibom, ogun state and some others are busy squandering money building airfields (called airports) while basic needs like power generation, rails, and other infrastructures, that would make the life iof the people better are ignored. Sadly, a shocking number of people support them. We have had so many bad leaders in the past, that we have almost forgotten what good leadership looks and feels like.

We need to hold our leaders accountable. All those criminals we called leaders (political and religious) should be ashamed to leave their homes, and not them having the effrontery of reading the first bible lesson at a Sunday church service. I would personally walk out of any church (or its parish)  where Obasanjo is reading the scriptures.

The sad part is that bad leadership has permeated every area of our society: politics, religion, business, education, family etc. Even some of the mods on this site are no better. Given an elevated position, they quickly become power drunk and abuse the office, wanting to become tin gods onto the regular users.

A leader is concerned with responsibility first, then seeks the required authority to fulfill the responsibility. A tyrant seeks only authority, and loses all sense of responsibility.