These Nigerian politicians are incredible.There is no shortage of white elephant projects for them to rrscue. From the huge financial transfusion of this same Ajaokuta steel plant to the perpetual repairs of all oil refineries, and the aluminum plant in Akwa Ibom. What is it with all the successive governments (both federal and states?). Why are all the so-called developing nations in Asia, with their limited natural resources, able to transform their societies’ social and economic statues? Why do we keep pumping money (that we don’t have) into these non-productive mills and refineries. The answer is pretty simple. Somebody or a group of people are making money off these fundings. These financial injections have not produced positive financial results. Nigeria is not producing more crude oil; rather,we are importing refined petroleum products and using our meager foreign reserves to pay for it. What sense does it make I ask Nigerian politicians? Why do you insist on bankrupting Nigeria and its citizens for your selfish reasons?

Let’s hypothesize Nigerian politicians. If these mills and refineries belonged to your family business, who among you would continue to fund them out of your own pockets? None. It would be a bad business decision. Your financial analyst, and accountant would recommend you sell or shut them down to avoid bankruptcy. That’s what commonsense would dictate. Then again, Nigerian politicians have over the years shown a complete lack of it. Why pay people millions of naira to “work” in refineries that are as good as being mothballed? I’m using that term in the most generous manner. A mothballed refinery is still in good condition. Ours are in deplorable states.

My recommendation is this. Sell off all these plants to the private sector. The government needs to wash its hands off them completely. Let the new owners revitalize, and hopefully run them more efficiently. Except for Yakubu Gowon, no Nigerian government till today has a clue how to run things. We just don’t have that maintenance culture in us. Rather than repair our pathetic road network, Tinubu’s government has decided to spend billions to build a road to nowhere. His transportation and economic ministers don’t see the wisdom in making sure our existing roads are brought up to world standards. When Tinubu takes his aimless trips to France and the UK, does he not appreciate the bumps-free roads? The incessant highway robberies on our roads can be attributed to the potholes that slow down traffic and the lack of cameras along the way. How can the police respond to incidents of kidnappings and highway robberies when the cameras are not installed to monitor traffic. Cameras networks are integral part of European and American highways. They provide safety and security. The insane amount being spent to build the proposed coastal highway would have fixed the roads we have now and quite a bit left to implement safety measures.

Why can’t these politicians act smart for a change?