In 2016, the former Anambra Governor Peter Obicaused a stir online when he revealed how wasteful most Nigerian governors are. Obi, at a conference – The Platform 2016, which was organised by Covenant Christian Centre, shared how he was able to curb waste and save about N75b for Anambra State when he was Governor from 2007 to 2014.
The former Governor said he saved $50m and N7b in Access bank, $55m and N10b in Fidelity bank, and $155.4m in Diamond bank.
Speaking on how to cut cost in governance, Obi narrated how it cost him and his contingent, N10m per trip to Abuja whenever he travelled, which was 6 times monthly.
He said he had to take the hard decision to reduce the expenses after he realized that the people (30), who always accompanied him to Abuja had nothing to do there in the first place.
Condemns spending habits of governors
The former Governor also condemned what he described as the over-bloated spending habits of Nigerian governors, adding that it is the cause of poverty of state governments.
He said that states can function and carry out projects with their income and still have savings.
The former governor also narrated how he had to stop his cook from killing a cow every day in the Government House.
“When Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to come to Anambra State, they were supposed to used N500m to construct a presidential lodge, but I asked the president to sleep in my house through-out his stay,” he added.
Living In Nigeria Is Life Threatening – Peter Obi
At the conference, Peter Obi listed 5 simple ways Nigerian Governors can save money:
1. Governors should stop using the security vote, which is up to N600b to N800b to run their office and sponsor their aides.
2. State governors should initiate competitive procurement.
3. Governors should do away with unconstitutional office of the First Lady which is run with about N2b.
4. Governors should reduce their official cars to only 2, instead of 6 bullet-proof cars.
5. Govt. House jeeps which use to be 25 jeeps, is the average number most governors have could be reduced.
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