DEVELOPING A NEW ECONOMIC POLICY IN OGUN STATE 2015 – An Open Letter to all our Political Contestants Dear Contestants, By the current temperature in the political debates in the country, the next election and electioneering campaign is now fully underway, and in Ogun State especially, we need to refocus our debates on what should be ‘the economic policy’ of the government we want to elect rather than settling discourses, name callings and run down of personalities in political circle. Previous governments as well as the current government in the state have done fairly well considering the complexities of the political divide in Ogun State. They have all pursued market oriented economy that is private sector-led, technology driven, economy that is also broad-based, open and competitive with international input of investments. The government in Ogun State 2015 – whoever that may be, will be inheriting an economy with the following characteristics: A. A rising level of unemployment and inflation due to the continuation of world recession and our country in the midst of her poor economic performance in decades B. Fair performance of major infrastructural facilities in the State C. A possible large budget deficit, due to committed projects by the government D. A weak industrial base though improved upon by both OGD, and now SIA administration E. Low level of agricultural production in the State especially in Ogun West due to neglect of rural production areas F. A developing but weak private sector which is necessary for an improved economic growth G. High external debt due to rising projects costing H. Over reliance on Federal allocation from a single commodity (oil) , but much improved IGR I. Still inefficient and unreliable public utilities J. Low quality of social services, and an unacceptable rate of graduate unemployment Therefore, the handling of the following under-listed issues will determine who is able to lead Ogun State in 2015. 1. CONFLICTS TOO MANY: Enemies of democracy in Ogun State are constantly trying to create orgy of violence, sectional, emotional, religious, political, economic, cultural conflicts across all the length and breadth of the three Senatorial Districts of the State. They see the office of the Executive Governor as a prize worth fighting for come 2015. Fighting in our House of Assembly need to stop because it makes progress difficult in legislative process and makes governance difficult if compromises are not sort by various parties. Don’t get me wrong, our Constitution is built on our freedom to disagree and our vital and, at times, tumultuous freedom of speech. Thankfully, tension is built in to a Republic like ours. We may disagree strongly, but we must pass the square test....a citizen can be critical of those in power in the public square and not get beheaded. Many of your respected friends and colleagues may disagree with you on political issues. They are not “bad” or “stupid” people; their intentions may be good, and hope they will come to feel the same about you. Our law makers have to be civil in their approach to each other even when emotionally charged in the house. They should not only appreciate those who pointed out their mistakes; but also appreciate the comments of some who vehemently disagreed with their position. Obviously not by causing problems among differing supporters is a way to go, and maybe, it’s time for both sides to stop demonizing political adversaries. We must look beyond the current crisis and prepare a road map for governance in Ogun State 2015. 2. PERFORMANCE OF THE OGUN STATE ECONOMY: People expect harvests of democracy. Previous administrations of Aremo Olusegun Osoba and OGD arguably tried in the development of the state. The current SIA administration is also working in this area as well, moving the state internally generated revenue IGR profile to over One Billion Naira (1BN). This has helped the state to compete favourably for outside investors to see Ogun State as investment destination of choice. Therefore, the next leadership of the state must be seen to understand the importance of wealth creation for the purpose of economic and social development, political development and cultural Renaissance. 3. JOB CREATION: Government-created jobs did not mean a net increase in jobs then or now. But this is only mundane reality. What makes a great political point is government coming to the rescue of the unemployed by creating jobs. The talking point helps politicians get reelected, even if it does nothing for the economy in general or for the unemployment rate. The elected politicians in 2015 must continue to create jobs through substantial and massive government intervention that will employ directly and indirectly thousands if not millions of unemployed graduates in the state from Universities and Polytechnics. This has to be done through more economic freedom for private businesses and the creation of free enterprise zones in the state. Government talking about creating jobs on her own is a joke, and no one is more of political talking points than some of our seasoned politicians. They have always promised “shovel-ready projects” in the name of helping the unemployed. These were constructions projects where the shovels were supposed to start digging the moment they got to power. They treat job creation as joke today but it is no joke to the unemployed, who remain unemployed for more than 24 months after leaving University and completing the national service. Promising more government jobs is a joke to the unemployed since the government creates no wealth, it can only transfer the wealth required to hire people. Even if the government creates a million temporary jobs, that is not a net increase in jobs, when the money that pays for these jobs is taken from the private sector, which loses that much ability to create private jobs. 4. AGRICULTURE TO TAKE OVER FROM OIL MONO-CULTURE: Production function must be restructured and encouraged that multi-cultural production and export regime of product(s) made from Ogun State is supported that takes over from mono-cultural regime of oil money allocation from the Federal Government. 5. ZONAL SPECIALIZATION OF INDUSTRIES: While manufacturing should be used as engine for growth and development in Ogun State, there is the need for zonal specialisation of production. The distinctive competence of each zone should be appraised critically. The state government must deliberately work towards creating incentives that will make for uniform but rapid sustainable developments in all parts of the state. 6. DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENTREPRENEURS: Dearth of industrial entrepreneurs is the bane of our slow pace of economic development because Ogun State is known as “civil servants state.” Governments over the years have been trying to correct this, and now the SIA administration is at the forefront of correcting this. Deliberate efforts should be made by the next occupant to cultivate calculated visionary risk takers. It’s a case of cultivating the home market to protect the home and infant industries from external gap or competition. They will help the economy to grow. 7. ELITE AND ELITICISM: This must be harnessed towards political stability and for achieving economic prosperity. 8. DEBT BURDEN (Internal & Foreign Reserves): Macro-economic activities must be reviewed to harness the state’s resources to reduce foreign and internal debts, and accumulate foreign exchange through export-oriented production. 9. FINANCIAL SECTORS: The public must not lose confidence and trust in our banking sector. Therefore, all things that will make the Banking sector play a stimulating and lubricating role as an engine of the economic development must be formulated. I am aware of the fact that most banks are under the direction and watchful eyes of their head office and the Central Bank of Nigeria, but Ogun State government can still establish favourable enabling factors or conditions that will allow the branches located in the state to assist both private businesses and government sectors to perform to their max. 10. EMPOWERMENT OF THE YOUTH: Youth empowerment becomes necessary in order to prepare them as useful and productive leaders of tomorrow. This will also reduce the misuse of the youth for various atrocities and crimes. The next administration is able to do this considering the high percentage of able bodied young unemployed graduates in the state that could be made useful in volunteering roles, which can be built into their curriculum vitae for future stable employment opportunity. 11. WOMEN CAPACITATION: Strategy of using the natural instincts of women folks to achieve political stability and economic development must be developed. Using quota system to appoint women into position is not only wrong but degrading. We must not make the women to feel that they are in a role because of a mandatory quota system or friend to a powerful individual, but because they are seen to be capable of fulfilling the role. Women can and do compete favourably with their men folks in various fields, and their intellect and ability must be put to use maximally. 12. ERACTIC EDUCATIONAL CALENDAR AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT: The issue of incessant strike of academic staff of our Universities, Polytechnics and Secondary Schools is very embarrassing. It is affecting the human capital development of the country and state negatively. Finally, 2015 and your vision for Ogun State should start today! Your various political networks, your infrastructures, your creative ideas and your valued ideals should remain well sharpened, properly focussed and very alert. These are needed because politics is a fluid game. Changes, both expected and unexpected are bound to occur from time to time. We are praying for you all, and may the best patriots with the interest of our people at heart win!
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 10:00:39 +0000
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