By Jonas Odocha
THE DIFFERENCE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR.
When an attempt was made on ex-President Donald Trump’s life, in course of his election campaign tour, it was obvious that there were security breaches. The Director, Secret Services, was quickly summoned for explanations by the Senate, interrogated in the open, and she has since resigned her headship appointment.
Again, sometime ago in Italy, a commuter train derailed owing to traffic signal error, resulting in the death of some passengers. the Minister of Transport resigned his appointment as head of the transport ministry.
In 2017 Minneapolis Police Chief, Janee Harteau resigned her appointment, following the fatal shooting of an unarmed woman by Minneapolis Police Officer, Mohamed Noor.
These are all great examples of ACCOUNTABILITY in action. As that Police Chief resigned, she was taking responsibility for the Department’s mistakes and she wanted to uphold PUBLIC TRUST.
Can we now please reflect on our own country. On July 5, 2022, the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre was attacked, freeing 879 detainees, including 68 Boko Haram members. Till date did any heads roll, or any resignations or any statutory dismissals?
Again under the watch of a minister, a botched recruitment exercise that was organised in a stadium, resulted in the deaths of some applicants. Today, that same minister is in the Senate as a lawmaker.
Wait for this. The news media, the internet and informed commentators are abuzz with the ongoing verbal exchanges and counter accusations over the status/quality of the petroleum products being imported into the country and those also coming out of the indigenous Dangote 645,000bpd refinery.
Datelines have been breached, severally, without any explanation over the commencement of the “mechanically commissioned” PH refinery. As petroleum products importation has continued, with the SUBSIDY REMOVAL, an executive of the Dangote Refinery has accused NNPCL officials of “letting in dirty products” into the country.
Countering, the NNPCL has equally accused Dangote Refinery of producing “high sulphur-content diesel” from their “45% completion, yet-to-be-licensed” refinery. More confounding and confusing is the announcement last Sunday, July 20, by Dangote himself that the actual equity interest of Nigeria in his refinery is just 7.2%. Recall that when this refinery was commissioned by the previous government in May 2023, we were informed that Nigeria invested over $2bn for 20% stake. But in all these, why are Nigerians kept in the dark? Are our leaders, like in the earlier mentioned situations and reactions, from other climes, not expected to UPHOLD PUBLIC TRUST?
This is the dilemma confronting us as a nation. Petroleum resources are extremely strategic for our growth and development in this country. The ministry accountable for this strategic development and growth must be continuously interrogated. But with the President, under various governments, as the Minister of Petroleum, how feasible is this expected public interrogation? This situation of complacency or nonchalance is hampered or worsened by the citizenry beclouded with COWARDICE, TIMIDITY and GREED.
May we have leaders whose MORAL STANDING will subject them to ACCOUNTABILITY and are willing to UPHOLD PUBLIC TRUST.
Yes, leadership is about TRUST!!!
