FCT New Transport Policy: Mr. President, Can You Please Fire Bala Mohammed?
One of the attributes attached to Nigeria is that it possesses Natural
and Human resources in large quantity. Considering this accolade, it
hurts deeply to see some of our leaders come on board with a perceptible
lack of clairvoyance. Their performance makes one meditate upon which
category best suits them; a gift or burden to the nation...
In December 2012, speculations were rife that the Federal Capital
Territoty Authority, FCTA, under the control of Minister of Federal
Capital Territory, Senator Bala Abdukadir Mohammed, was set to put in
place a new transport policy for the nation’s capital.
In January, the plan was announced via a release by the Minister’s press
secretary, Mohammed Sule. The statement quoted Ms. Jamilah Tangaza,
Bala’s Senior Special Assistant on Information Management Systems, as
saying that the FCTA came up with the policy “to sanitize the system and
get Abuja working by the year 2020.” In order words (and judging by
recent events), we are attempting to become Africa’s London, while our
people turn into slaves in their own land.
I doubt if Tangaza or her boss is/are aware that the comment is a slight
on their overall Oga at the Top, President Goodluck Jonathan, who
usually takes pride in describing Abuja as a model city. Well, Mr. Jona
so you know; the time for pop Champagne is still seven years away.
Continuing, madam explained that the policy entail a restriction of
operations of mini-buses, commonly called ‘Araba’, to certain routes and
the high-capacity ones to other routes. Presently, the red-colored
buses are about 350, whereas the least we need is 1000!
In mid-January through February, the order was enforced. The mini-buses
were disallowed entry into Abuja, while the ones operating from within
were dissipated. The condemnable decision, which caught everyone
unawares, was later halted to allow for more consultations.
Fast-forward to May 2 2013, Secretary of Transport Secretariat of the
FCTA, Jonathan Ivoke, said Bala had approved June 3 2013, as
commencement for the restriction. At a press conference, the reasons he
offered goes thus: “The policy is to move people en-masse, reduce waste
of time in the traffic and improve the economy.” I for one will not
decide whether this is a sound of wisdom, but does his pretext portray
him as someone capable to hold the title of his office? With the
intention of proving that Ivoke’s view is everything but sagacious, I
will argue all of his justification.
My take on reason One: Simple reasoning helps us to comprehend that the
more vehicles you have on the road, the more people you are able to
convey people from one destination to another. In case Ivoke is in the
dark, the buses Bala provided are way too small to ameliorate harsh
conditions faced by the helpless commuters. Months after the ministry
promised that more would soon be delivered, they are yet to arrive.
Furthermore, isn’t it safe to conclude that his assurance that private
players were ready to invest was a daylight scam?
My take on reason Two: How would your time not waste when you now have
to pray for good fortune just to get transported ASAP. Also, the
assumption that the ban will ease traffic is unsatisfactory. How can
there be reduced gridlock when every car owner now drives, while many
others are contemplating acquiring theirs?
My take on reason Three: Which economy prospers when the people are
depressed and discouraged? Which economy prospers when the people are
tired out and less-spirited? Which economy prospers when the people
suffer acute headache due to the stress they contend with every morning
and night? It is only in Nigeria everyone in government suddenly becomes
an economist whenever they are trying to outline merits of even a
draconian policy.
Personally, I see no reason why Bala and his Federal people hastily
imposed this vexatious policy on law-abiding hustlers. The mad rush for
vision 20:2020 will lead us to catastrophe if we are not careful. Can’t
we just achieve the ones we can and re-strategize on others?
We all agree that as the capital of the largest Black Country on the
planet, the city and its districts must be world-class. However, you
don't make us suffer in the process. It is glaring that the idea is a
right one with a wrong timing. Any sane human wants to see development,
but would it not be perfect if adequate measures were put in place to
cushion the effect of the impact that may arise from such? Why the
haste? Why strangulate the electorate? Is the Minister trying to please
Jonathan at all cost to retain his post?
Bala has been in this regime since April 6, 2010. Between then and now,
this man had sufficient time to begin preparations for his initiative.
Let us assume that all he did in his first year in office was award
contracts, attest to land documents and campaign for his boss’s
election. Things went well and Mr. President was re-elected, while the
Minister retained his job.
Sadly, two years down the line, the best Bala could do is procuring a
third of the minimum number of buses required to ferry residents. Two
years down the line, Bala is just constructing parking spaces including
the ongoing one at Nyanya for use of the high-capacity buses. Two years
down the line, how many laudable projects has Bala commissioned in
remote areas? If he had done this, the pressure on the main city would
have been greatly reduced.
FCTA asserts that it consulted widely before implementing the policy but
for how long did it confer? The problem with high-ranking officials in
this clime is bigheadedness; everyone wants to do this and that without
first taking time to address the consequence it would have on the
people.
FCTA in addition claims that before concluding on the policy, it
assembled the executive committees of several Unions of Road Transport
to discuss the development. However, it is on record that there is now
distrust within most of them as not all members gave assent to the idea.
There are also allegations that the FCT ministry to ensure its plans
sails through induced members of the various bodies operating in the
sector with financial rewards. To buttress this, not a few of the Araba
drivers who protested against the policy, accused their respective
unions of betrayal.
FCTA informed Abuja residents that the mini-buses would operate in
satellite towns, but the world should ask Bala to present the good roads
and street lights he fixed in those places. Go to the inner part of
Zuba to Dutse; Kado to Galadima; Kubwa village to Bwari; Lugbe village
to Kuchigoro; Karimo to Gwagwalada; Nyanya to Ado; Kuje to Apo; Kabusa
to Dakwo village; Mpape to Abaji; Deidei to Karimo; Gwagwa to
Galadimawa; Lokogoma village to Kwali and see things firsthand. I find
it hard to fathom why a government that is keen on achieving a mega-city
status would abandon its inner settlements. For crying out loud, these
are where citizens in the middle and lower class reside.
Rather than commit funds to these glorified slums FCT is always proud to
list as protectorates, Bala is ready to kick the bucket so that her
godmother Mrs. Patience Jonathan can get the N4 billion for a totally
needless ‘Peace Mission’ project. Thank goodness Senator Smart Adeyemi
and others struck out the rubbish.
Already, Rights’ Groups including Human Rights Writers Association of
Nigeria (HURIWA) have described the policy as “inhumane”. It is very
painful that those occupying seats of authority can be this
self-centered; they care less about others since they live in choice
apartments and move about in expensive cars and Jeeps, while those they
claim to serve groan in untold hardship.
More sickening is when people in control involve the Supreme Being as
though they abide by His commandments. I can recollect an interview in
which the helmsman of Abuja said that “God’s willing, our drive to make
Abuja a global reference point will be achieved.” Imagine that! He has
the guts to seek God’s intervention when he has failed to do what is
necessary to ease the adversity of: thousands of children who struggle
to get to school every day; the pregnant women and nursing mothers who
join in the rush so as to make it to the hospital in time for their ante
and post-natal care; the aged and the sick who are too frail to jostle
with others at bus-stops.
Like my ‘Kegites’ friends say, even the devil can quote the Holy Books.
It is easy for Bala to call God’s name when he has never felt the long
torturous trek from Zone 2 or Zone 3 down to Sky Memorial Plaza or
Berger roundabout to get a bus.
Mr. President, you need to hear what the masses are saying about you and
this policy. The name they know is ‘Goodluck Jonathan’ not ‘Bala
Mohammed’; he is an appointee while you were elected. If you allow him
continue to soil your name,
na you sabi. You better do yourself
and the poor people of Abuja some good by dropping Bala from your
cabinet. Let him go and begin campaign in earnest for his Bauchi
gubernatorial ambition.
Failure to heed this advice would not only further impair the image of
your administration, but also make you lose more supporters in the
nation's capital.
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