From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
Niger state Governor Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu has said that Nigeria’s crude oil export dropped by over 46% in March this year resulting also in a reduction in the revenue of the nation from oil.
Aliyu who made the disclosure in Minna on Tuesday when he received the UNDP Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pa Lamini Biayi, said the development has been responsible for a reduction in the revenue from the Federation Account to all the states f the Federation.
The governor literaklly blamed the problem in the oil sector of the nation’s economy on outright theft and mismanagement, charging the federal government to have a closer look at the institutions responsible for managing this national resource.
He said though the state since he assumed duties had made payment of counterpart fund to donor agencies ‘first line charge’ reduction in income from most sources has affected the policy promising however that all the debts owed the UNDP and other donor agencies will be settled.
Governor Aliyu said contributions by donor agencies had assisted in fast tracking the development of the state saying that ‘one is sure that any money paid for projects under this programmes will be judiciously utilized’.
The governor in reaction to statement by the Commissioner for Planning,Alhaji Mohammed Dansalau, defended the present cabinet shake-up he carried out saying it was to guarantee efficiency and faster delivery of service to the people that voted the government into office.
Dr Aliyu suggested that round pegs should always be put in round holes while governors should deemphasize political patronage while selecting Commissioners and special advisers, insisting that “we must consider competence and ability to deliver the goods in making a choice of members of the cabinet.
We remember Sardauna for what he has been able to do for the people of the North and Nigeria, most of the institutions he established are still around and relevant”.
Earlier the Country Representative Dr Pa Lamin Biayi had assured the governor of the readiness of the organization to collaborate with the state government in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
“The UNDP does not have a big pocket but we will collaborate with your government to achieve your development efforts”.
