THE EFFECT OF ABANDONED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES BY SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS ON THE NATION’S ECONOMY.

THE EFFECT OF ABANDONED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES BY SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS ON THE NATION’S ECONOMY. 

Since the attainment of independence, Nigeria has witnessed successive governments both military and civilian. Each of the government always comes up with new programmes and projects for the betterment of the people. Surprisingly, many of the laudable programmes and projects are often abandoned by successive governments both at the Federal and State levels. They ostensibly do so because they don’t want to associate themselves with projects and programmes embarked upon by their predecessors. In other words, they do not want their predecessors to take credit for the success of these programmes.

This abandonment is done without taking into cognizance the huge amount of public funds involved in initiating such projects and programmes. These abandoned projects cut across all sectors including Health, Education and Roads. Cases abound where some administrators on assumption of office change every house hold item in their residential quarters because they do not want to share what their predecessors used. Some even pull down the entire building and build new ones. 

The point is that, as soon as these programmes and projects are abandoned, new ones are initiated only to be abandoned again by yet another successive government. And so, the abandonment continues while the nation’s resources continue to be wasted. In the developed World, those who take over from previous government are always happy to use items used by the founding fathers of such countries several years back. Projects and Programmes as well as policies there are sustained. They do so because they place the interest of the people and their nation’s above all other considerations.
 

This sustainable policy has yielded positive results as these countries have moved from developing to developed world. So, for Nigeria to take its rightful position in the committee of nation, a concrete and decisive step must be taken to ensure the sustainability of government programmes, policies and projects. The National Assembly should come up with legislation to compel successive government to continue with programmes and projects initiated by their predecessors. This will not only save our resources but will also enable the government to ensure optimum use of scarce recourses for other new projects. 

The policy of always starting afresh can not lead the country to the promised land. Time has come for political office holders to emulate the sterling qualities of the founding fathers of the nation. Elected officials should know that they are holding offices in trust for those who elected them and therefore place the interest of the people above their personal interest.

The organised labour civil society, non governmental organizations, students unions and other concerned Nigerians should rise up and speak when ever decisions affecting the interest of the people and the nation are taken. With sustainability of positive programmes, policies and projects, and cooperation by all Nigerians, the country will be a shining example not only in Africa but also in the whole world

BY
OKONKON UKPANYANG

Source: Recorded live from FRCN daily commentary