Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
A Peoples Democratic Party presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has unfolded a five-point programme, which he intends to implement if elected president in 2011.
The former vice-president, in a policy document issued on Thursday, said his administration would concentrate on the five areas that would “unleash the potential inherent in the Nigerian economy.” Abubakar listed the five areas as employment generation and wealth creation, power generation and infrastructure development, education and social services, law and order, good governance and the war against corruption as well as the Niger Delta.
He admitted that administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration “witnessed a modest turnaround in Nigeria’s economy.” The former vice-president said the Obasanjo administration introduced some policies that had the potential of accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth.
Among such initiatives of the Obasanjo administration were pension fund reform, better fiscal management and institutionalisation of due process procurement mechanism, he noted, adding that the benefits of the growth were “generally perceived to be primarily limited to the upper strata of the society.”
Factors militating against the economic recovery of the country are inadequate and decaying infrastructure, a weak real sector, insecurity and low purchasing power of Nigeria, he noted.
“Rising income inequalities coupled with concentration of the benefits of economic growth within a tiny minority have led to reduced support for the economic reform efforts of the government. It is critical that the next government makes a determined effort to build upon the successes recorded in recent years and ensurea that the ‘dividends of democracy’ are enjoyed by the totality of Nigerians,” the aspirant said.
Abubakar promised that within 12 months of his administration, “there must be some immediately discernible and tangible benefits to Nigerians.” According to him, his policy on job creation will, among others, develop entrepreneurs through high impact job creation initiatives.
He vowed that he would encourage infrastructure development that would engage many Nigerians. Abubakar stated that industrial activity would be revived as a fallout of the improved infrastructure.
On the power sector, he said his administration would place emphasis on “independent and effective economic and technical regulation to attract private sector participation and investment while concomitantly protecting the public interest.” He described the Nigerian transport system as primarily ‘unimodal,’ with the result that over “90 per cent of freight and passengers move by road.”
Abubakar said his administration would place emphasise on “intermodalism – characterised by coordinated planning and building of transport infrastructure; seamless operations (road/rail/air/road); efficient infrastructural and operational linkages; and modal choice.” He also promised to carry out a comprehensive reform of criminal justice system in the country.
He said, “In this regard, the issue of sanctions is paramount. Notwithstanding the fact that they have a significant influence over the people’s behaviour, sanctions have been largely absent in Nigerian public life.
“Both the executive and the legislature must provide examples to the public. The example must come from the top. The existing system is largely dysfunctional. The next government shall explicitly make a commitment to always obey court orders.”
He also said that the transformation of the Niger Delta required collaboration involving the federal, state and local governments.
Abubakar stated that government must ensure that no child was left uneducated, adding, “The state has a duty (due to the intrinsic value; benefits to society etc) to provide basic education to individuals up to the age of 16.”
Source:http://www.punchng.com
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