*Sir Melie Onyejepu is a former Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Budget, Monitoring and Implementation. He is also the General Manager, Bureau for Public Procurement, Anambra State*
In this interview, he talks approximately the destiny of Anambra State, and varied problems
*You are Special Adviser to Anambra State governor on Budget, Monitoring and Implementation, and also the General Manager, Public Procurement; what exactly does your job entail?*
In the finances vicinity, my process includes monitoring price range implementation. We also make sure that the state derives fee for anything price and advice the governor, in particular in which we feel that the expenses do now not suit the budgetary provision. This is when it is at variance with what it should be or where the project is not aligning with the provisions of the price range and the point of interest of the authorities.
On the procurement side, we ensure the pricing of projects are in line with perfect norm, that they're not overpriced, and the kingdom derives cost from those applied.
*There is controversy about such a lot of states borrowing carelessly, how has your paintings impacted Anambra State?*
In 2015, because of our activities in the location of price range, Anambra got here first in the complete South East and 2d inside the u . S . At the implementation of International Public Accounting System. What that means is that Anambra keyed into transparency initiative and that all our accounting and budgeting systems were patterned to fulfill worldwide preferred. It additionally approach we've got followed the same preferred used within the United States and UK. Therefore, if we're the usage of the system with the aid of nations which are general yardsticks for measuring transparency and duty, that will inform you the form of gadget we have put in area.
Secondly, within the procurement circle, we are enforcing the regulation guiding public procurement to the letter. It calls for the establishment of a bureau and we've accomplished that and are also setting into location digital means of procurement, with a view to assist remove issues of corruption and fraud. What that does is that, within the comfort of your room, you can get entry to the contracts we've presented, who we provided them to, the scope and value. With this e-procurement platform, you can, as a citizen, cross-check what we are doing.
I can keep my head excessive and say that I am working with this authorities. One terrific component approximately this management is that this is the primary time the governor of the state has a truly stated blueprint, challenge and vision.
*Is the blueprint a part of Vision 2070?*
The essence of Vision 2070 is to expand this blueprint, contain new matters and modify to the dictates of the dynamics of a worldwide economy.
*The more youthful technology is clamoring for an opportunity in the state’s political management positions; as a quite younger man or woman, what's your take?*
I agree with that the older era have executed their bit. They have dominated us from independence until this moment and, like I said earlier, the strolling of government is changing and the character of economies are going to trade too. Most advanced international locations are moving into such things as e-governance and it isn't for the old era.
*Where do you notice Anambra State within the subsequent 20 years?*
I see the economy of Anambra growing larger than that of Lagos. This might be made feasible by way of the coming of Onitsha River Port and the shipment airport. With these on floor, we count on huge monetary sports. Another element with a purpose to develop the financial system is fuel. There is a prediction that oil and gas will fizzle out soon. To me, it won’t be so in most of the 0.33 world international locations. However, despite the fact that oil will become less applicable, gasoline will nonetheless be a main aid inside the economy Igbariam in Anambra State is sitting on trillions of metric lots of fuel reserve that can feed the entire of West Africa, and Ibeto petrochemical is already building a gas dealing with plant. We also are expanding agricultural sports. At the inception of Governor Willie Obiano’s management, we met 80,000 metric lots of rice manufacturing in this state and in much less than four years, we have been capable of circulate it to 338,000 metric tons with a projection that, with the aid of the give up of the 12 months, we are able to begin getting about 480,000 to 500,000 metric tons. It suggests you the velocity at which we're moving.
Still in agriculture, we've got boosted cassava manufacturing and by the time we undertake complete mechanization, we are able to be considered one of the most important exporters of cassava and rice on this a part of the arena.
Another region Anambra is endowed is in that of industries. Nnewi humans have a knack for production products like Taiwan. There turned into a time Nnewi changed into the Taiwan of Nigeria but due to energy issues, some of the ones industries closed shop. But that does not imply we can not repeat that process nowadays. We can use gasoline to expand an impartial energy plant that could electricity factories in Nnewi and Onitsha, so our industrialists can move again to what they understand high-quality.
The kingdom is likewise endowed with the information of change and commerce and what we need to do is offer allowing surroundings for our businessmen and women, and you will see them excel. I see an Anambra State wherein the scale of the financial system will move from its contemporary GDP of approximately N4.8 trillion to about N20 trillion.
*As a monetary professional, what vital monetary steps have to Nigeria take to avoid a probable crash of the economy thinking about the extent of inflationary trends and unemployment within the u . S . A .?*
Let me just point out one or . Once you're able to repair electricity, each other aspect falls in location. Secondly, is agriculture, which is the very best business enterprise of labour. Fixing electricity, so long as I am concerned, is easy. We have fuel deposits all over the area. Use that to generate power. Once that is in region, every different factor falls into location. Nigerians are very hardworking people, so just lay the foundation for them and you may see them develop.
*How prepared are you for higher management positions?*
Leadership is nothing extra than your ability to lead by example, after which being able to use others to attain your goal by means of ensuring that you delegate assignments, display it and have humans buy into something you want to acquire. My paintings within the financial institution placed me for that. In the private area, you are given a goal and you could’t just gain your target without the guide of other human beings, and in case you don’t deal with the ones human beings well, you may never achieve your target due to the fact that you can’t be everywhere on the equal time. For you to do that, you need to deal with the human beings working with you nicely, lead by means of instance and understand their feelings at any given time. So for me, leadership is set main by instance.
*Power rotation might be a primary problem within the coming Anambra governorship election; what's your view especially with regards to the argument that it encourages mediocrity?*
The excellent factor about zoning is that it offers anybody a feel of belonging and opportunity to contribute their exceptional. However, that doesn't imply that all and sundry can be provided because of zoning. I am not in aid of that.
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