Goodlluck Jonathan yesterday disagreed with those claiming that there has been
an increase in the level of corruption in country, saying the issue is being
amplified.
Rather, President Jonathan maintained that corruption is being reduced
considerably by his administration.
The President made these submissions while speaking at the Presidential Power
Reform Transactions Signing Ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall, Sate House,
Abuja.
The ceremony, which equally had the Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo in
attendance, witnessed the handing over of 25 percent payment certificates to
the five Generating Companies (GENCOS) and 10 Distribution Companies (DUSCOS)
that have made payments.
Other documents signed at the ceremony included gas supply agreement,
generation agreement with the bulk traders and joint development agreement,
among others.
The President expressed satisfaction with the transparent manner in which the
Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is carrying on with the privatization of the
power sector.
He advised Nigerians to always strive to protect what belongs to them, in
addition to showing keen interest in the activities of government.
The President noted the achievement his administration has recorded in curbing
corruption particularly in the agricultural sector, which fertilizer
distribution system was a cesspool.
He was also delighted that commendations have greeted the emergence of the
preferred bidders for the generation and distribution companies, noting that
the process that produced them had been adjudged very transparent.
In his words, “let me continue to assure Nigerians that yes, there are
issues of corruption in this country, but somehow it has been over amplified.
People should watch how we have been conducting government business. We have
been bringing down the issue of corruption gradually.
“If you look at the fertilizer sector, you will agree with me that if
government actors are interested, we would have continued the same story of
buying all kinds of things, awarding all kinds of contracts in the name of
fertilizer. But we are not doing that, we have sanitized that sector.
at the power sector, when we started initially, there were stories in the
papers but at the end, even when I was in the United States, companies from
there that participated said publicly that the process was transparent and
issue of corruption was not there.
“At least today we have also heard directly, that the process was
transparent and that there were no issues of manipulation or corruption. I
plead with Nigerians that the country belongs to all of us and we will all
protect what belongs to us, what belongs to our children and what belongs to
the generation yet unborn.
“I am particularly pleased to hear directly from the private sector that
the process was transparent and those stories of corruption were not heard.
This age-long inadequate power supply will be brought to an end by God’s grace.
Nigerians must have electricity for domestic and industrial use”, he said.
He, however, lauded the governors, the development partners and the private
sector for showing interest in the power sector reform.
