Nigerians should vote young, articulate, and ethical candidates; otherwise…
Below are excerpts from an interview with Engr Martin Onovo, the National Conscience Party [NCP] presidential candidate.
Question: Chief Onovo, what precisely is your primary occupation? What is your profession?
Answer: I am a consultant engineer; member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Question: Given your engineering background, what is your view on fuel subsidy?
Answer: Using the cost analysis similar to that of the American Petroleum Institute (API), our conclusion is that, given the summation of all the cost components of producing premium motor spirit (petrol), from exploration and production to refining and to the end-user, the so-called fuel subsidy is wasteful. Our conclusion is in line with the outcome of a study by the NNPC. Other studies asserting that fuel subsidy in Nigeria is sham included those by eminent economist and administrator, late Prof Sam Aluko, and the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Professor Tam David-West, and the former Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Ibadan, Dr Izielen Agbon. For us, the Nigerian government has yet to come clean on the fuel subsidy issue. An NCP government will do better. We will reduce fuel price by increasing domestic refining capacity [ensuring that Nigeria’s refineries attain optimal refining capacity] and forestalling crude oil theft.
Question: You are a consultant engineer. Could you “briefly” explain the economy of Nigeria, for the purposes of knowledge and to convince undecided voters that you have a broad understanding of Nigeria’s economy?
Answer: Based on the 2013 Gross Domestic Product [GDP] figure which was over $500bn, Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy. Gross Domestic Product is measured in terms of the monetary value of finished goods and services. Economic stability is checked against output, the rate of inflation, etc. Productivity is the key to growing any economy. NCP government will increase the physical and economic flanks of productivity. Hence NCP has promised the Nigerian people that: Within 3 years, we will solve Nigeria’s energy problems; double power generation, transmission and distribution within 3 years by investing only $9b [It is pathetic that, from 1999 to date, Nigeria spent over $51bn on power, without making any significant improvement]; minimise all sorts of waste; raise minimum wage by reducing maximum wage”; rapidly develop non-oil sectors, such as, agriculture, education, building and construction, telecommunication… According to the debt management office, the federal government domestic debt stock as at 31 December 2014 is NGN7.9 trillion and the federal government external debt stock as at 31 December 2014 is approximately $6.4 billion. Given the two figures, the total federal government debt is over $47bn [NGN9 trillion]. An NCP-led government will establish and sustain accountability and fiscal discipline. We will operate responsibly.
Question: Your party cannot match the PDP or the APC naira for naira. How can you keenly compete given little resources available to you and your party when compared to those of the PDP or the APC?
Answer: The National Conscience Party [NCP] is distinct in many ways. For us, neither the PDP nor the APC is a role model in Nigeria. The NCP is indeed a role model. Our history is clear, excellent as we speak. The contribution of our founder, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, to Nigeria is overwhelming. It is not the style of the NCP to finance its campaign with illicit funds or proceeds of corruption, or money stolen from taxpayers. Our strength has always been people-based, which is the ultimate strength. Our supporters are not commercial people; they are volunteers making selfless sacrifices for the country Nigeria they love. Our supporters are mainly good Nigerians who will not mortgage their conscience.
Question: How will an NCP-led government deal with the Boko Haram?
Answer: First, Boko Haram seems to be thriving in Nigeria at the moment. Our land has become a base for terrorists who kill every other day. This is agonising. This is pathetic. This is unacceptable. And the simple reason Boko Haram is on our land is that the Nigerian government “seem” not to be seriously bothered about the security of lives and property within its territory. What are the solutions? The solutions include putting in place a robust security network. So, an NCP-led government will provide adequate and appropriate welfare and weapons to the Nigerian armed forces. The NCP will establish and sustain a first-class security system in line with international best practices. This is not difficult. We have security experts who are able, by virtue of their training and experience, will easily etch in stone a robust secure network across the length and breadth of our land. This security system the NCP has been talking about is one that indicates work processes, scope, expectations, corrective action capabilities, feedback systems. This security system we have been talking about will incorporate robust surveillance, monitoring, and intelligence system. We will make sure there is adequate welfare and weapons for the Nigerian armed forces. In other words, the NCP will make sure that there is adequate security of lives and property.
Question: Corruption is, to many, the bane of Nigeria. How will you tackle it if elected?
Answer: Our strategy on corruption is known as the 4Es, namely: Example, Empowerment, Education, and Enforcement. An NCP-led government will allow the anti-corruption agencies to do their work. We will not interfere in the work of anti-corruption agencies. We will empower our people through welfare, employment, orientation. We will RAISE minimum wage [by reducing maximum wage], but the total wage bill will remain to forestall inflation. We will lead by example.
Question: In few words, what is your advice to the Nigerian people?
Answer: The Nigerian people should vote young, articulate, and ethical candidates; otherwise there will be no radical change.
