By Eseoghene Emuke
A onetime governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has said the proposed privatization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other sectors of the economy by the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, would eradicate corruption in the system.
Onuesoke explained that he was fully in support of Atiku’s plan as the blueprint would help strike a balance, equity and fairness across the geo-political zones of the country and promote national unity which Nigeria currently lacks.
Speaking on Tuesday with journalists on his return from a meeting of Atiku Caucus Group in Lagos, the PDP chieftain said urged Nigerians to support Atiku’s aspiration for the nation’s number one seat, saying that the former vice president has the capacity to lead the country to the part of greatness.
He explained that the privatization critical sectors of the economy will kill corruption and create jobs for unemployed youths as well as remove the stringent monopoly in the system which had hindered the nation’s growth.
According to him, “Come to developed world and see how the private sectors are booming and employment too. In Germany a lot of companies are looking for workers.
“The privatisation of the existing refineries in the country would create opportunities for new ones that will be viable and efficient to meet the needs of the nation.”
He described those against the privatization of NNPC as ignorance because they do not know about the wastage taking place in Corporation.
According to him, “The wastage in NNPC is much and government has no business running it. As long as it remains in government hands it will continue to be a tool for massive corruption for any president that comes in.
“Let’s ask ourselves a simple question. What has Nigerians benefitted from NNPC since it was created aside from sharing and stealing money from there. We have a government that runs the place that says subsidy is a fraud, but pays higher subsidies than previous government after increasing the price of fuel. When will Nigerians get sense?
“Some antagonists will say what come of electricity after privatization? What they should understand is that if our electricity is fully privatised like Nitel, the problem of electricity could have been gone like telephone today. Look at peace airline that started some years ago is doing well, but Nigeria airways is grounded.”
