Recently, the National Assembly approved the sum of =N=87.7bn to INEC for the voters' registration exercise. In previous submissions on the forum, it was clearly pointed out that the amount INEC was asking for was outrageous. Somehow, for some uncanny reason (certainly not after thorough scrutiny and a careful consideration of the provisions of the INEC budget) government deemed it fit to dish out money haplessly from our treasury for this purpose.
It's no use crying over spilled milk! All that is now required of every Nigerian is to ensure that the exercise is not flawed and does not go the way of previous exercises where some poorly-bred representatives feel they have a right to embark on a spending jamboree without verifying the facts.
The most salient questions begging for answers now are: does INEC have clearly defined plans (not shoddy plans on how to cover up misuse of the money but one which will ensure that the goals and objectives of this exercise are met? Are there clearly measurable milestones that will serve as a basis for Nigerians to assess the level of success or failure of the exercise (yes, Nigerians deserve to know as the money so stupidly appropriated is their collective wealth) and based on which we can hold the spenders (INEC) and the loot sharers in the National Assembly and in the Federal Executive Council (the contractors for this project are conduit pipes through which this money will be channeled back to their private pockets) who clearly have a hand in the fraud perpetrated against the impoverished people of Nigeria? How can we, as stakeholders and owners of the plundered wealth ensure that the money is not wasted and that every kobo is accounted for?
Watch out for critical submissions on all of the above. Contributions are welcome from all well meaning Nigerians who believe that the era of complacency is over and that we must make a difference in 2011 - Nigerians who are tired of the plundering and pillaging of not only of our God-given resources by some criminals who use that same stolen wealth to oppress the people; Nigerians who believe that it's not by despairing (really there's great cause for despair especially as the people have often been betrayed by their elected representatives especially in this political dispensation more that any other time in the history of this country) but by taking the bull by it's horns and insisting on owning the processes by which their representatives are elected.
May we have fruitful, constructive and purposeful deliberations.
