YARDY SCRAPS AN ILLEGAL CONTRACT GRANTED BY OBJ

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Apparently, OBJ granted a contract to build a host of clinics around the country shortly before he left office. Now, although this seems like a good thing, the contract was given by OBJ to a former aide of his. Smells fishy, doesn't it? Anyway, Yardy continues to cut the ties from the OBJ by ordering the suspension of the N18 billion contract.

In July, Yardy also reversed OBJ's sale of two refineries to another of his cronies. But in the case of this contract, Yardy claims that the contract was unlawful. The contract required compulsory deductions from each of the local councils' share of monthly oil revenue. It would have built a primary healthcare centre in each of Nigeria's 774 local council areas.

Although some would argue that the means justify the end, I am a stickler for following the letter of the law. I must commend Yardy for taking a closer look at this arrangement and declaring it "illegal". To force all local council's to give up some of their oil money in a scheme that probably does not pass the 'smell test' is unconscionable. Especially, in light of the fact that Nigeria has witnessed so many such schemes never come to fruition even though the contractors receive their monies upfront. That simply leaves the people suffering and waiting for infrastructure and amenities that have been paid for but never arrive.

I am impressed.

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♥♫♪nyemoni♫♪♥ said...

Way to go, Yardy, way to go! I hope that his steps are the beginning of better things to come...

Nilla said...

He's looking good so far.

Have a wonderful day Madam!

Dami said...

another good move by yardy.hopefully the states will be mandated to build quality clinics with their own money

Femme said...

i know im rather foolish for not commenting on this very important matter but im lovin the name u guys organised for him. 'yardy' (say this in a whisper and slowly) sexy!

Nels said...

I'm very impressed by this too... although I must point out (as i did months ago) Yardy is merely burning the ladder which he climbed up. Cronyism is what made him president... and although he is seemingly doing a good job, it seems a little hypocritical to me. Perhaps OBJ trusted these guys to get the job done properly… same way he trusted Yardy. Either way, local surgeries are very necessary in Nigeria. The health service needs upgrading desperately, procrastinating will just cost more human life.

According to the BBC, its 18bn, according to you its 118bn, any clarity on which number is correct?

uknaija said...

So am I- impressed I mean

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

@ femme: hahaha. I bet if he knew someone associated the word 'sexy' with him (or his nickname at least), his head would swell. Or, maybe he would blush. Who knows....

Thanks for the funny comment on a serious issue. Much needed. lol!

@ Nelson: Thank you for pointing out my error. The correction has been made.

I have to say I have also been thinking that Yardy is burning that bridge. Let us wait and see what else he has in store for us....

Thanks for leaving a comment!!!!

mochafella said...

Hmmm, I'll be impressed if that contract doesn't reappear, just as smelly, within the next 12 months. Till then...

Omodudu said...

What is the business of the FG building hospitals sef. What do the state and local govts do in Nigeria

Atutupoyoyo said...

Good initial moves by Yardie. Let us not forget though that there were a few initiatives that OBJ initiated that are worth preserving.

I just hope that the new president doesn't get too carried away in trying to prove to everyone that he is his own man.

@omodudu: Regarding the hospital issue. Why should even the state and local governments be involved in these initiatives. How about private contractors? Many NHS hospitals in the UK were built this way with buy back clauses incorporated into the agreements.

Beauty said...

"What is the business of the FG building hospitals sef?" Businesses account for only about 10% of our money, the rest is owned, controlled, and distributed by FGN.

We are not alone on this issue, it is one of the big concerns in developing nations where the traditional roles of government are to legislate, regulate and provide the funds, but leave the doing (building hospitals etc) to others.

That, has not worked well in Africa because businesses are not accountable to the public in the same way that governments are (lol), but privatization can mean more economic freedom for the
business owner (State Governor's cousin) but less for the individual.

NigeriaPolitricks.com said...

Any action taking against OBJ's fraudaulent policies and illegal contracts should be commended. Yar'Adua just need to take it a step further, by asking the EFCC to make OBJ account for his corrupt self-enrichment while he was in government.

Beauty said...

It would be nice to have "by asking the EFCC to make OBJ account for his corrupt self-enrichment while he was in government." but when we have all our stolen monies back, who is the accountable person(s) that will manage it in order to develop the Infrastructure?

TRUST is a very big word! we should start to push for "publish all accounts" money management, else we may be back here in 10years talking about the same set of thieves. Just look at the current who-is-who in the current State & Federal Governments of Nigeria.

Naija Vixen said...

I am impressed oh...lol...im doing okay,thanks for checking up on me...love your template!

TheAfroBeat said...

Definitely steps in the right direction! Admitting, as Nelson points out, the illegitimacy of the presidential elections that brought him to power would earn even more respect I believe, but nonetheless better this than nothing, right.

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