“Nigeria’s problem is not money, but what to do with it” Former head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. The above statement by retired General Yakubu Gowon as absurd and unfortunate as it was; could be forgiven, given his track records of achievements, well known temperance, sobriety and humility. Because unlike the immediate past dictator, the retired General was never known to have arrogated to himself the monopoly of wisdom; and having ruled at a relatively younger age; well before clocking the age of wisdom (40 years), he was naturally bound to make some honest and well intentioned mistakes.
But considering the frequent carnage on our roads that are in total state of disrepair, the General could have done much better by giving some thought to futuristic projects at that material time, like the conversion of all the Nigerian inter state highways into multiple carriage ways with the unspent extra money at hand. Because, aside the obvious reductions of the carnage which the multi-million projects entails in future; the money being sunk into road projects nowadays could have been deploy into other pressing Areas.
All said if there is anything that can be remembered about the former general in the negative; I think, the above policy statement could possibly be one of them. And if his no-victor-no-vanquish philosophy has tremendously helps to healed the wound of the unfortunate Nigerian civil war, which paved the way for the re-integration of the rebels into the mainstreams of the Nigerian society; and for which, the retired general continue to draws encomium and accolades worldwide; his myopic acquiescence to that unfortunate bear parlour statement (with apology), could possibly continue to agitate his mind and dent his reputation.
This statement simply portrayed a complete lack of foresight and inability to manage successes. But like I said earlier, the likable general is whole heartedly forgiven, and his cherished memory shall remain indelible in our psyche; being one of the very best of the Nigerian leaders, especially given the terrible circumstance we found ourselves today. Yes, if for anything, his own oil windfall was relatively well managed, compared to the squandered IBB’s gulf-war windfall and the eight year disastrous and better forgotten regime of uncle shege!
Now, coming to the issue of carnage on our highways where many precious souls have already gone; and every day, we hear one sad story or the other of breadwinner dying needlessly, I find it difficult to believe the reasons being dish out daily by the most ineffective and ineffectual FRSC, which could not even enforced the law on the recently banned overloading, talk less of recklessness on the road. Because, if it is reckless driving and night journey that have been causing most of the accidents, what tangible efforts were they putting in place to address the menace? And given the fact that, some effective measures were already working in some less endowed nations like our immediate neighbour, the Niger republic, why can’t the road safety commission borrow a cue there?
For emphasis, In Niger republic, once it is 9’oclock, all inter state traffics, must come to a halt immediately wherever they are. This can be verified and such measure came into being as result of the frequent road accidents on their inter-state highways. Today, the measure, apart from saving lives, had turned Niger republic into one of the safest country to drive in the world.
Part of our problem is that, so many aspects of our national life are in need of quick and drastic intervention in the form of the declaration of emergencies, like the endemic poverty in the land; serial corruption and falling standard of education; yet, the behavior of those saddled with the responsibility to adopt proactive measures has always being portraying quit an indifferent temperament. Otherwise, how could somebody explain the ongoing deadly accidents on Nigerian roads which has reached a critical point, but does not merit adopting some drastic measures to tame the deadly trends from leaders?
Again, the nature of the current central government did not give us much hope, given its well known policy flip-flops, lack of forthrightness and sluggishness. For example, at inception, President Yar’adua promised to declare a state of emergency on power energy (N.E.P.A.). He pledged to tackle the issue head-on following series of empty promises to revitalize the sector by the last disaster of a president; but almost three years down the line, it has been one cock-crow at down story after the other; leaving Nigerians to continue to wallows perpetually in total darkness.
So, even if the much desired state of emergency on road carnage as imperative as it has become, is finally declared, could it be forcefully enforced to the latter, as obtained in other climes? Who will enforce it, given the well known ineffectiveness of the FRSC as stated earlier? Such agency that has been shooting itself in the foot in obvious self indictment for all the glaring failures and inadequacies can not bring about the desire objective!
This leaves conscientious Nigerian with only one option, which is to individually stop recklessness and night journey no matter what, and continue with the present agitation through various media, for the total repair and dualisation of all the interstate highways across the length and breadth of the country, perhaps we may one day eliminate the monster which has became a national calamity. May the soul of the departed bread winners, rest in peace, Amin.
Kabiru Tsakuwa
Hausawa Bawo road, Kano.
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