Shonekan Backs Probe Of Obasanjo

Soji-Eze Fagbemi, Abuja - 11.10.2008

Former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Earnest Shonekan on Friday declared total support for the probe of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government by the National Assembly.

To him, the efforts by the National Assembly to investigate what took place in the vital sectors of the government between 1999 and 2008 would enable the country to get to the bottom of the activities of government officials that handled the nation’s resources within the period.

Chief Shonekan was speaking when he appeared for screening for the position of Chairman, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), before the Senate Committee on Works.

He said: “Probes are alright to get to the bottom of things. In this day and age, we have to be transparent in whatever we do.

“And it will also have a solitary effect on others that whatever you do, somebody is watching and at a later stage you will be called to come and give an account of your stewardship and I think it is a very good thing.”

Chief Shonekan also stated that public/private partnership was required in governance, saying that the government should take the private sector into confidence in the preparation of budgets.

The former head of state urged the government to create a conducive atmosphere to attract foreign investments.

He added that this was necessary because other countries were also competing for the attention of the foreign investors. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Julius Ucha said the ICRC came at a better time, when the world was facing economic difficulties.

According to him, it is an honour for Nigeria to have the former head of state to accept to chair such a body at a time like this.

Because of his position as a former head of state, Chief Shonekan was asked to take a bow and go.