James Sowole in Akure
The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, thursday said corruption is desperately fighting back in the country due to the resolution of the current administration to recover the stolen wealth of the country.
Osinbajo spoke in Akure, Ondo State capital, while speaking at the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Clinic held at the International Event Centre, Igbatoro Road in the state capital.
The vice president said Nigeria’s problems are not much if there is no corruption.
He said despite the fact that the money accrued to the current federal government was about 60 per cent less than what the last administration got, the current administration had been able to put the fund into proper use.
“We had access to lesser money than the previous administration but what we had been able to do were far more than what they did.
“We are able to achieve this because we are spending what we have for the people.
“We have spent over N1.3trillion on infrastructure to better the lives of Nigerians.
“They promised Lagos- Kano rail line, they did not do it. We earn lesser than they had, we are doing it. Look at Lagos Ibadan rail line, they had much money, they did not do it, we are doing it. Look at Lagos -Ibadan Expressway, we are doing it.
“We shall continue to arrest these who stole the nation’s money. They said we have not been able to convict anybody, we are not bother, we shall continue to arrest and prosecute them. Let the case remain in court.
“The corruption is desperately fighting back so that they can come back to into power. It will be impossible,†Osinbajo stated.
The vice president said he was in Akure to participate in the sixth edition of the MSME clinic to make the government accountable to the people.
He added that the federal government budgeted N500billion for the four components of the MSME out of which N80 billion had been provided despite paucity of fund available.
The vice president said no less than 200 youths had been engaged in the N Power component of the MSME adding that 300, 000 more would benefit.
Out of this figure, 5,271 had benefitted from the N-Power programme in Ondo State and N2.7 billion spent on Ondo State beneficiaries.
The vice president said the clinic was initiated to enable small scale businessmen, market women and youths to have a one stop shop to relate with relevant agencies of government.
Speaking, on the occasion, the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, said the initiative underscores the determination of the present government in the country to drive the economy towards self reliance.
Akeredolu noted that the MSME clinic has been used as a veritable platform and delivery tool for development.
The governor said: “Today’s programme further underscores the determination of the federal government to drive the country’s economy towards self-reliance, using this platform, as a delivery tool for development.
“There can be no better demonstration of serious commitment on the part of the government than this direct involvement at the highest level of authority.â€
Akeredolu said the platform was designed for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to thrive by providing opportunity for them to interact with relevant federal agencies and in the process, obtain practical and on-the-spot solutions to their business challenges.
“This programme anticipates lifting the generality of our people from the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment.†Akeredolu said.
He, however, pledged that the people of the state would reciprocate the gesture of the federal government by ensuring and creating the right environment to support the programme to achieve the set objectives.
