LEST WE FORGET OR GET DISTRACTED: "SARAKI TO FG: ACCOUNT FOR ALLEGED MISSING $20BN" - April 25, 2014 via The Sun - April 25, 2014

Former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday urged the Jonathan administration to account for the alleged missing $20 billion and N620 billion kerosene subsidy in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Senator Saraki, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, said that, if the missing funds were recovered, they can be channelled into construction of roads across the country as well as provide jobs for youths. The former governor, who stated this while addressing participants during the Kwara South Youth Interactive Summit in Ilorin, decried the level of corruption in the country, stressing that it is high time the youth stand up to effect change in the leadership of the country. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola, he said: “In Nigeria, the sectors that lift the masses out of poverty had been grounded by corruption, inconsistent policies, state monopoly and inefficiency. “The steel industry has never taken off in spite of the fact that major steel projects in Ajaokuta, Aladja and Osogbo were initiated since 1979. “The textile industry that was the largest employer of labour is now in comatose. Manufacturing has lost its importance in Nigeria, as the country is now importing every manner of products, thereby leading to retrenchment of workers. “ Corruption is another major problem that has to be tackled. With incessant reports of unabated level of oil theft and bunkering,the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) is yet to account for the revenues that come in. “The allegation by the suspended CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that NNPC has not remitted $20 billion into the Federation Account is being treated with levity while the NNPC allegedly paid itself N620 billion as subsidy on kerosene. “All these funds are yet to be recovered. Only a fraction of that money can construct Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,the East-West Road. The money could also have staved off the prolonged university teachers’ strike that almost cost a full academic session.” Saraki, who urged youths to come out to rescue Nigeria from these challenges, said if all stakeholders failed to rescue the country, the nation’s democracy would be endangered. The state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Saheed Popoola, appealed to youths to resist any attempt by anyone or group to incite them for violence and negative acts. In her goodwill message, the former Minister of Health,Princess Funke Adedoyin, said youths should utilise natural resources within their areas, stressing that government could intervene if they have organised themselves. She noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is about the people and the party culture and policies are people-oriented. The former minister charged youths to work with the state government so that they would enjoy their entitlements and benefits.