FG Prefers “Sustainable Development” To “Rapid Development” – Fashola

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, June 9th, 2016

By Niyi Adeyi

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Government (FG) has declared that it prefers a “sustainable development to rapid development” with respect to National planning and economy rejuvenation.

Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) stated this Thursday in Abuja, at a Town Hall meeting with the various stakeholders as parts of the events to mark President Muhammadu Buhari’s one year administration.

Fashola indicated that the main factor that informed FG’s decision is the fact that the “rapid development” was not inclusive and it yields only short term result, while “sustainable development”, although slow in approach, still comprehensive, effective and has the capacity to take the country to the desirable socio-economic and political destination.

While speaking on power, the former Lagos State Governor admitted that the energy generation and distribution in the country has declined remarkably. He indicated that out of 26 gas stations in the country, 23 of them were presently down due to the persistent and devastating attacks on the oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

He noted that there was a direct link in the vandalization of oil and gas assets; power generation and distribution. Therefore, Fashola urged Nigerians to choose between protecting the National assets, so as to ensure that they benefit public or destroying them and but forfeit their socio-economic advantages both on the long and short terms bases.

Despite the raging attack challenge, the Minister hinted that FG was working on improving on other sources of power generation such charcoal; solar and hydro, yet insisted that gas remains the most economical and cleanest source of power generation.

Mr. Fashola stressed that there is need for urgent change of orientation among Nigerians for the public to enjoy the services provided by the Government. The Minister cited an example of when a fellow cabinet member – Minister of Transportation, Hon Chibuike Amaechi informed him; that he discovered while on inspection of some projects that some people have started removing the nuts being fixed on a new rail track.
On security, the Minister stated that granting amnesty with suspected criminals who surrender arms tallies with the global trending approach to settle dispute and agitation by people. He noted the approach is wide and involves other segment of government, such as Military and manner of engaging the suspected agitators and insurgents.
Fashola stated that FG was conscious of these, and it is deploying the standard method in resolving the prevailing security challenges in different parts of the country.

Other Ministers in attendance at the meeting were that of Budget & National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma; Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe and Environment, Hajia Aminat Mohammed.