Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)) Governor Muhammadu Sanusi has described the relocation of some departments of the apex bank from Abuja to Lagos as a right step in the right direction.
According to him, those kicking against the move are only playing dirty politics and should be ignored.
He also said the opposition to the decision was because children of politicians used to flamboyant style were not prepared to abandon their Abuja lifestyle for relocation to Lagos.
…ACF, northern senators’ position
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), its youth wing as well as the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), had, in separate statements, condemned the move to relocate the CBN and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)which they said, would diminish the status of Abuja as the federal capital and undermine the development of the northern region.
To some major stakeholders in the north, the decision would have some political consequences.
And in making some clarifications, the Presidency had said the decision did not have any political motive, but rather to make for easy workflow and save cost in the running of the two agencies.
…Sanusi justifies relocation
But in a statement issued Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by Blueprint, Sanusi, the 14th Emir of Kano, said: “Moving certain functions to the Lagos office (which is bigger than the Abuja head office) is an eminently sensible move.”
The former Kano monarch said he had same intention as CBN boss but couldn’t realise it owing to insufficient time.
He said: “In my mind what I would have done was to move FSS and most of Operations to Lagos such that the two Deputy Governors would be largely operating out of Lagos or, even if they were more in Abuja , the bulk of their operational staff would be in Lagos.
“Economic policy, Corporate services and all the departments reporting to the Governor directly such as Strategy, Audit, Risk management, Governors’ office etc would remain in Abuja. It makes eminent strategic sense. And I would have done this if I had stayed.”
He said the opposition to the policy was “absolutely unnecessary” as “the CBN has staff manning its branches and cash offices across the Federation.”
“Moving staff to the Lagos office to streamline operations and make them more effective and reduce cost is a normal prerogative of management.
“The problem we have now is that many employees are children of politically exposed persons and their Abuja life and businesses are more important than the CBN work.
“The CBN is just an address for them and if they have to choose between their spoilt Abuja life and the job, they would gladly leave the CBN.
“All the more reason for the Governor to put his foot down and get rid of those elements they are dangerous for the bank’s future
“The question of locating functions is a STRATEGIC and not tactical one. A proper analysis should be done to identify which roles are best suited to Lagos and which to Abuja. Once the logic is clear the people then follow. Non communication of strategic intent opens the door to mischievous misrepresentation and arbitrariness.
“I don’t like the idea of arguing that the office structure cannot handle the staff numbers. I am sure Julius Berger would refute that if they wanted to engage,” said the ex-CBN chief.
He also provided some insights into how best the relocation of staff should be done, saying: “Individual situations should be considered. As much as possible we should be empathetic. For example, young mothers with kids in school who do not need to move can be prioritise to stay in Abuja or those with medical conditions etc.”
Sanusi further advised the CBN not to bend to political pressure. “My advice to the Governor is to go ahead with his policy. Once the CBN starts bending to political pressure on one thing it will continue doing so.
“Northern politicians will shout that this is moving from Abuja to Lagos. Abuja is a federal capital not a northern issue. So long as this is a principled decision the noise should be ignored.
“When I was about to license Jaiz bank there was a lot of religious noise from CAN etc. Even enlightened people like Okey Emelamah were going to sue me to court on religious grounds. I ignored it and licenced the bank. Nothing happened.
“A Christian Governor after me licenced at least two more non- interest banks. No one is even noticing again. Ethnic and religious bigots will always shout. The CBN should rise above it and just do what needs to be done. It is a very unpopular and difficult job and the Governor needs to be tough,” the ex-monarch added.
…Karimi got me wrong-Ndume
Meanwhile, the exchange of words over the relocation of both FAAN and CBN continued Thursday with Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) of accusing his colleague, Sunday Karimi (APC Kogi West) , of misunderstanding his position on the controversial issue.
Ndume, had Tuesday, while featuring on Channels Television, kicked against the decision.
And speaking Wednesday in a response, Karimi said Ndume’s position was neither that of the Senate nor northern Senators.
He had said: “Senator Ndume’s expression on the relocation policy is Personal and does not in any way represent a position taken by the Senate.
“It was needless attaching ethnic or petty sentiments to the relocation of the offices, which are done for cohesion and better delivery of services.”
Clarifying his position in a counter statement Thursday, Ndume said: “With all due respect, I did not speak on behalf of the Northern Senators or the Senate but as a Northerner in support of the majority of Northerners and some Nigerians who are against the action of CBN Governor and the Minister of Aviation.
“A famous former American President said ‘Patriotism means to stand by the country’.
It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.
“It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country.
“In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.
“What I said is my personal opinion and position and not that of the Senate or Northern Senators.”
