Read Senator Dino Melaye's 56th Independence Anniversary Speech
Here is the Independence Message by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) calling on the leadership at all levels of
governance to sacrifice more to serve both as an example and
an inspiration to the citizenry in order to pull the nation out
of the current economic recession.
" 56
years of independence as a sovereign state should, and ought to be a
time to roll out the drums and celebrate our journey to true nationhood.
Unfortunately, the present economic hardship has denied Nigerians this
luxury. What is required under the circumstances is modesty and deep
introspection on how we got to this sorry pass. But more importantly ,
the current times calls for more sacrifices on the part of the
leadership from the local, state to the federal levels". He added:
"
Unlike so many other relationship fundamentals, leadership is a
top-bottom dynamic if it must inspire and command loyalty and the needed
follower-ship. At times like this, the leadership must sacrifice more,
give up some of its pecks of office, show more compassion and empathy,
and desist from leading opulent and offensive lifestyles that are
capable of inflaming passions amongst the suffering masses.
"The
change Begins with Me" gospel will resonate more with the people if
those at the helm of affairs show the way and lead by example. While
very tangible sacrifices are required of the leadership at the moment,
perhaps the leaders can begin with a symbolic gesture. Since names and
appellations matter, those at the helm of affairs must immediately drop
those appellations that accentuates the existential divide between them
and the citizenry until there is a marked improvement in the material
condition of the people.
" In
this regard, I recommend that henceforth no President, Vice President,
Governor, or Deputy Governor should answer the name 'His Excellency'
until the material condition of ordinary Nigerians has also become
'Excellent'. No Senator should continue to answer 'Distinguished' until
the the masses of the people begin to experience a distinguished
existence and no Federal or state Legislator should wear the badge of
'Honourable Member' until the ordinary citizen is himself living a life
that can be classified Honourable in every material particular.
"This
is a first significant step in erasing the class barrier that misleads
those at the helm of affairs into believing erroneously that they
deserve a better existence than the ordinary man on the street, and
thereby conferring them with the delusional legitimacy to amass the
public till on their behalf", he said.
Melaye
is also offering his "Smart Solutions" to the current economic crisis
bedeviling the nation which if implemented are capable of fast-tracking
our way out of the recession. These Smart Solutions range from the
mundane, to the very radical.
"As a
means of addressing the dwindling state of revenues accruing to the
federal government which is adversely affecting the implementation of
the 2016 budget, deliberate effort must be made to attract Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) into the country. This can be achieved by
improving the security situation in the North East and the Niger Delta
since no serious investor will put his his resources in a climate where
insecurity is a daily fare. Government's effort in this direction must
be two-prunged : a combination of military action and a psychological
warfare to win the hearts and minds of the people in the two besieged
regions.
"
Government must also devise ways to pacify the Niger Delta Avengers and
other militant groups in the region through a very creative, robust and
efficient Amnesty programme. This programme must also be implemented
simultaneously with a robust and sincere "Marshall Plan" for the
development of the region. The combined effect of the New Amnesty
Programme and the Marshall Plan will not only ensure sustainable peace
and development in the area, but also prevent the mutation of new
militant groups in the future since there would have been a systemic
disincentive for their emergence.
"Needless
to add, sustainable peace in the Niger Delta would lead to the security
of oil installations, boost oil and gas production, increase foreign
exchange earnings, attract more revenue to the coffers of the
governments at all levels, facilitate the implementation of budgets and
ultimately result in a marked improvement in the standard of living of
the generality of the citizenry, and not just for the privileged few",
he emphasized, adding:
"The
diversification of the economy away from the current mainstay-oil, to
agriculture and manufacturing must also be pursued more aggressively if
Nigeria must be pulled out of the recession in the shortest time
possible. In this regard, access to single digit interest facilities to
investors in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors should be made
less tedious and seamless. Tax holidays can also be considered as an
incentive to get more investors, both local and foreign to take to
agriculture and manufacturing to create jobs and boost the real sector.
"Furthermore,
relevant laws must be reviewed and new ones enacted to give states and
local governments higher stakes and autonomy in the exploration and
exploitation of solid minerals in their domains. This will breed
competition amongst states and local governments, create jobs, boost the
local economy and reduce unemployment, crime and other associated
social vices".
Melaye,
a dogged anti-corruption crusader and activist, is also recommending
Presidential Pardon and Amnesty for Treasury Looters. There is a
critical caveat though - Return the looted funds within six months of
the declaration of amnesty or face the full wrath of the law.
"Though
an unrepentant advocate for integrity and forthrightness especially
from public office holders, l however sincerely want to recommend that
Mr. President grants Presidential Amnesty/Pardon to all those who looted
our treasury provided they return all proceeds of their loot to the
government within six (6) months of the declaration of the Amnesty.
"This, I
believe will encourage the voluntary return of the the looted funds,
empower the government financially to immediately commence the
implementation of projects and programmes that will stimulate the
economy and raise the peoples' standard of living, and save the
judiciary and other law enforcement agencies the agony of fruitlessly
pursuing the looters in and out of the courtrooms. In the long run, this
would be a win-win situation for both the government and people of
Nigeria.
"At the
expiration of the six months' 'Moratorium', all those who failed to
comply would then me made to face the reality of aggressive and
expeditious prosecution and eventual jail terms for convicts in
accordance with the laws of the land", he concluded.
Senator Dino Melaye
Kogi West.
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