February 21, 2009
Dear Editor: On CNN, February 20, 2009 was a continuous news broadcast of statement by President Obama while addressing the college of USA Mayors. He had told them that he would waste no time in calling out (for prosecution) any State Governor and/or City Mayor that continued with “business as usual”.
By this, he meant that anyone who embarks on any project that was unnecessary, he would call for the prosecution of such an appointed or elected officer of any level in US. Using his words; “any project embarked in any city in America that would not impact directly on the governed would face investigation and culprit brought to book”. So this is democracy in America, I asked?
In Nigeria a President would still go ahead to conduct (lay) foundation ceremony even where it involved unnecessary project of any state government. He would do this even where the citizens are crying against such. One of such that readily came to mind was the over-priced Uyo Tropicana Centre being embarked by Akwa Ibom government at a cost of N33billion whereas similar project by a private initiative, the Abuja Water Parks, is known to cost about N7billion. It should be observed that the figure for this Tropicana project represented 50% or more of annual budget of some States in Nigeria.
It is unfortunate that in Nigeria, we still have a long way to go and as it is looking; only a revolution would drive something into the head of our leaders of today. One though is not advocating for any violent revolution.
Sunday Isong, 88 Kehinde Street, Agbara, Ogun State.
By this, he meant that anyone who embarks on any project that was unnecessary, he would call for the prosecution of such an appointed or elected officer of any level in US. Using his words; “any project embarked in any city in America that would not impact directly on the governed would face investigation and culprit brought to book”. So this is democracy in America, I asked?
In Nigeria a President would still go ahead to conduct (lay) foundation ceremony even where it involved unnecessary project of any state government. He would do this even where the citizens are crying against such. One of such that readily came to mind was the over-priced Uyo Tropicana Centre being embarked by Akwa Ibom government at a cost of N33billion whereas similar project by a private initiative, the Abuja Water Parks, is known to cost about N7billion. It should be observed that the figure for this Tropicana project represented 50% or more of annual budget of some States in Nigeria.
It is unfortunate that in Nigeria, we still have a long way to go and as it is looking; only a revolution would drive something into the head of our leaders of today. One though is not advocating for any violent revolution.
Sunday Isong, 88 Kehinde Street, Agbara, Ogun State.
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