It was widely reported online and social media
earlier today former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the
absence of political will to save under former President Goodluck
Jonathan was responsible for the hardship currently facing the country.
In a statement issued on Friday by Paul Nwabuikwu, the media aide
of the two-time minister, disclosed that her statement on the viral
reports has been taken out of context, adding that Okonjo-Iweala was
referring to the opposition of some governors to the efforts of the
immediate past administration to save in the excess crude account (ECA)
and in sovereign wealth fund (SWF).
The statement read;
Low Savings: Okonjo-Iweala Did Not Indict The Jonathan Administration
Some recent media reports have distorted comments made by former
Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala regarding how lack of political
will negatively impacted national savings over the past few years.
Contrary to the slant given by these loud headlines, Dr
Okonjo-Iweala did not indict the Jonathan administration in which she
served.
Rather, she was referring to what many Nigerians already know: the
strong opposition by some governors to the Jonathan government’s efforts
to save in the Excess Crude Account and the Sovereign Wealth Fund
sabotaged this important national priority.
The governors’ criticism of Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s many calls for the
country to save for the rainy day are still fresh in the minds of
Nigerians.
It will be recalled that this opposition culminated in the
Governors taking the Jonathan government to the Supreme Court in
furtherance of their position that the Federal Government had no right
to “compel” them to save.
Several knowledgeable persons including former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi have confirmed these facts.
So the issue of Okonjo-Iweala indicting the Jonathan administration over this very public issue simply does not arise.
We urge the media to always consult for clarification whenever the need arises.
Paul C Nwabuikwu
Media Adviser to Dr Okonjo-Iweala
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