By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, a sociàl political organisation for northern Nigeria has said that any restructuring of Nigeria must be based on justice, fairness and equity in order to improve the unity, stability and balanced development of the country.
A communique after its national executive council meeting in Kaduna north west Nigeria, the Forum lamented that most agitations are not based on facts, but threaten the national cohesion by generating more controversies.
“It is in this light that the meeting agreed to set up a committee on restructuring that will examine all aspects and suggest a common perspective on what represents the interest of the North within the Nigerian project without prejudice to other national interest,” the communique said.
The communique which was signed by the Forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu noted that many claimed that the present democratic system as being practiced , was unnecessarily expensive and counterproductive to the economic growth and development of the country, as about 70 per cent of the annual budget was being spent on recurrent expenditure.
“Furthermore, there have been claims of marginalization by one section of the country against the other, which have created anxiety, fear and mistrust among the various components of the Nigerian project,” it lamented.
On NNPC, the Communique expressed concern over the open alterations between the Minister of State Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru over allegations of contract awards bordering on managerial imperfections and acts of insubordination made by the Minister against the Group Managing Director.
“The meeting notes with regret the continued accusations and counter accusations by the two public officers, which are precisely avoidable and unnecessary, considering the important role of the Petroleum industry under their watch to the nation’s economy,” it observed.
ACF National Executive Council appealed to President Buhari to call the officers concern to order, adding that the minister and the GMD resolve their differences amicably in the interest of the oil industry and the nation.
The meeting observed with concern the bad conditions of the nation’s road network, rail trucks and other facilities due to the pressure on the facilities as a result of old age, lack of proper maintenance, and the rapid growth in population without corresponding increase in infrastructure over the years.
It called on government at all levels to intensify efforts by making adequate budgetary provision for the resuscitation and maintenance of the overstretched facilities in the country to facilitate economic growth.
On drug addiction among youth, the communique noted the alarming rate it has among the youth in the Nigeria stressing that it is disturbing and worrisome.
It said, “The figure of about 3 million youth said to be involved in illegal consumption would have on the future generations of Nigerians.
Consequently, the meeting agreed to set up a committee that will critically examine the remote and immediate causes of this menace and suggest practical solutions to the problem.”