Yekini Nabena, a former deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has entered the discourse on the relocation of government offices, suggesting a significant repositioning of key agencies.
This response follows the recent plans to move certain offices of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos, which has sparked concerns, notably from the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).
In a statement released on Wednesday, Nabena questions the underlying intentions behind these relocation decisions and proposes an alternative perspective.
Advocating for regional efficiency, he recommended the relocation of the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to the Niger Delta region.
“If the efficiency of these agencies is the main reason for the plan to relocate them to Lagos state, we from the Niger Delta are also asking that the NNPCL, NIMASA, NPA and others will be more effective in either Bayelsa, Rivers or Delta states,” he said.
He also suggested moving the federal Ministry of Mines and Steel to Kogi state, where the Ajaokuta Steel is situated, for improved effectiveness.
Nabena extends his proposal to other federal ministries, proposing that the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment should be moved to Kano or Anambra states, known for their significant trade activities. Similarly, he suggests relocating the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to Benue state, often referred to as the “food basket of the nation.”
Expressing surprise at the quietness of the national assembly concerning these developments, Nabena brought attention to the broader implications of such relocations and emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of the decision-making process.
