Gains of Tinubu’s bold decisions are beginning to manifest –– Ajomale

Henry Ajomale is a politician, technocrat, administrator and former Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties. He is the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. In this interview with OBIRE ONAKEMU, he speaks on the state of the nation, noting that President Bola Tinubu is doing his best to set the country on the path of progress.

What is your take on the current state of affairs in the country?
Well, everybody understands that the situation in the country is really tough now. There is nobody that we can blame. It is unfortunate that the previous governments did not do much to correct the ills in the country before handing over and that left the whole burdens to the new government to carry. And it has not been easy for agovernment that is approximately two years old to clear the mess of about 12 to 15 years.

But we thank God that we have a government now that is bold enough to take certain decisions that are temporarily harmful to the people; but with perseverance, we will break through. When one sees what is going on in Nigeria at the moment compared to one year ago, one sees that there is a vast difference. And we pray that the economy of Nigeria will be better off.

So, there is need to be more patient with the Tinubu administration since we have seen the sign that they are doing a lot and the economic projection is going well. It shows clearly that Nigerians will reap the benefits of all these economic policies very soon.

People are saying that Tinubu’s economic management team is not competent enough, hence the current state of the economy. What is your take on the issue?
But we are seeing what they are doing. The exchange rate crisis has been largely addressed. Nobody is talking about the dollar now. Before now, if you want to go to school, you pay in dollars; if you want to rent a house in Nigeria, you pay in dollars; if you want to buy a property, you have to pay in dollars. All that has gone. So, if you are now blaming the government for the things that you and I are supposed to do, then you are not serious.

The past government may have messed up our economy. But the current economic advisers are doing yeoman’s job by putting our currency in a better perspective now. How can you blame them when they are doing a good job? You can’t blame them. They are doing a good job. And I’m sure with the way they are going, things will be better.

How would you respond to views in some quarters that hyperinflation set in when President Bola Tinubu pronounced the removal of fuel subsidy during his inauguration?
Look, if there is no pain, there can never be any gain. The removal of subsidies is bringing a lot of money for the states and the local councils. And we ask ourselves – what have they done with the money? Asiwaju has done his own part. The money that we have saved from subsidy is brought to the Federation Account and the states and local councils are having almost double of what they were receiving before.If they can go along with the Federal Government and use the money for the development of their states and local councils, we would meet somewhere; we would meet in the middle. But for many of them, there is no accountability.

So, don’t blame Tinubu. He has made it possible for you to have more money; so, you should use that money for the development of infrastructure in your state. It is not Tinubu that spends the money for you or advises you on what to do with the money.

President Tinubu released some money to all the state governments sometime last year for palliatives and some of them did not spend the money. Some of them bought rice, beans, garri and other things for their people, and we saw them. But what did the majority of them do with that money? They said you should use it for palliatives. But many of them didn’t do anything with that money. And they say people are hungry. Why wouldn’t they be hungry?

What do you thinkTinubu should do to create a functional democratic system in the country?
He is approximately two years in office. I know President Tinubu has a lot of things in the kitchen. Just give him two more years and you will see that many things that had not been done in the last 15 years will happen in this country.

What do you think should be the basic components of a sustainable governance structure in a country like Nigeria?
For me, I feel that the presidential system of government is too expensive for the country. I support those who are running after the parliamentary system of government. This one will save us a lot of money that can be diverted to other things – provide employment opportunities and encourage productions so that we have factories to manufacture most of our things.

China did it within a space of 30 to 40 years. And India did it almost within that space of time. And their population is the highest in the world – there are over 1.4 billion people in each of these two countries.And they are able to take care of their people; they are breaking records. So, there is no reason Nigeria cannot do it.

We have enough manpower in this country that can turn around the fortune of this country. We have them. We need to bring our people home. There is nowhere you don’t find Nigerians. In Boeing, a Nigerian is the technical director there. There is no reason Nigeria cannot start producing things. We have the capacity; we have the capacity to lead.

What measures should he take to ensure that the military remains in the barracks while democracy thrives in the country?
As we are growing now, I don’t think we are giving any chance for the military to take over power, because genuine democracy is in place in Nigeria today. They too know that they are not mad people; they know that the way things are going Nigeria is going to fight whoever attempts to escalate tension in the country.

So, to me, as we move forward, we should collaborate and ensure that we keep our democracy and fight for it. That is the best thing that can happen to this country. It is just a matter of patience.

What is your take on the hike in electricity tariff?
That is madness! This is because I don’t see what they have provided to deserve an increase in tariff. Up till today in my own area, they supply power for 15 minutes and then take it for 30 minutes. So, I don’t believe that an increase in tariff is the solution. The only thing is for them to provide electricity first and let Nigerians enjoy it. If only Nigerians have light, they will pay.

Nigerians are suffering but if they see good things, they are ready to pay. But the distribution companies are not providing the electricity. Today, we are at 4,000 megawatts and tomorrow, we are at 1,000 megawatts. There is no stability. What are we paying for? Inefficiency! To me, I don’t think it makes sense.

I believe the advisers are not giving the best of advice. If they are living in Nigeria, I don’t think anybody would encourage these people to increase tariffs. If there is light, everybody will pay. In England, the United States of America and other developed countries, there is electricity 24 hours and everybody is paying.

What is your impression of Governor BabajideSanwo-Olu’s style of governance? Do you really think Sanwo-Olu has met the expectations of Lagosians?
There is no way any government can meet 100 per cent expectations of the people; there is no way. But if you can at least get about 60 to 70 per cent, I think you have done well.

In the area of transportation, he is doingvery well. People can be proud of Nigeria now seeing the blue line, the red line, the green line. Very soon, there will be construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge going to Ikorodu and other places. These are infrastructural developments.

Lagos is taking a new shape. If you go to Lekki now, there are so many estates in the area, which were never there before 1999 when things started taking shape and Governor Sanwo-Olu is building on the records.

He should be encouraged by the people. In terms of road construction, he is doing very well. As for education, he is equally doing well. We have about three or four universities in Lagos now. In most of the areas of development, Sanwo-Olu is having a pass mark.