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Abacha, a better economist than Obasanjo, says Asiodu
By Bamidele Osha
Reporter, Lagos
�Even Sani Abacha ran a better
economy�. That isthe simple, yet professional � and hopefully unbiased �
verdict ofan economist who is also a seasoned technocratic whose experience
spans fromthe regime of Yakubu Gowon
in the1970�s to the present administration.
The over three decades Phillip
Asiodu spent in the corridorsof power formulating and implementing economic
policies perhaps places him in avantage position to criticise President
Olusegun Obasanjo. Perhaps not.
But he is clear in his argument.
Despite Abacha�s brazen kleptomania
unprecedented inthe country�s history, Asiodu has credited with having
initiated a bettereconomic policy than the present occupier of Aso Rock.
Asiodu was until 2001 Presidential
Economic Adviser. Way back before
then, he had served asa �super� Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines
and Powerduring the Gowon era. And his expertise has been called upon, one way
oranother, by virtually all the administrations since then, military or
civilian.
He carpeted his old boss in an
interview in Lagos forimplementing �deficient� and �unworkable�
economicpolicies, saying even Abacha ran a better economy.
Asiodu wondered why the laudable
objectives ofAbacha�s Vision 2010 was discarded and questioned the efficacy
ofObasanjo�s National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy(NEEDS).
Said he: �Why did Obasanjo throw
away Abacha�sVision 2010 document? It contains the necessary ingredients for
growth anddevelopment. But, instead, we supplanted it with NEEDS, which at best
is grandtheorising and is unworkable�.
To him, the economy is plagued by
lack of policy continuityand relationship.
�How does NEEDS compare with the
things in the Vision2010 document? How does it compare with volumes one and two
of the 1975-1980Economic Development Plan? It does not even mark out the
specifications for growthand targets.
�If we insist on digging new
foundations every threeor four years, instead of building on existing
structure, we will never reachthe roof. And this has been the problem with
Nigeria�.
Obasanjo fired Asiodu in 2001. So, is the man knocking his former boss
to get even? No, heinsists.
His own explanation for leaving the
government seems farfrom that sort of insinuation: �You give an advice and turn
away. Butsome fellow who does not know anything about service, but is good at
obsequiousdeference to leadership, comes and tells a story and assigns a motif
that doesnot exist. In this manner, I have seen many good programmes killed.
�I found myself not achieving what
was achievable. AndI do not believe in pretending to influence what I do
notinfluence�.
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