The former governor of Anambra state, Governor Peter Obi, in Nigeria has revealed how state governors in Nigeria waste funds they could have used to develop their states, and this could be one of the most revealing speeches on how Nigeria governors can cut costs, especially during the time of harsh economy.
While appearing on The Platform, an annual event on leadership, business, creativity and national empowerment, Governor Peter Obi highlights some simple ways to cut costs in governance, that helped him save 75 Billion Naira for his state, and also boast that Anambra was the only state that did not borrow from anywhere.
Talking about traveling to Abuja with 30 people;
When I came into office, my first trip to Abuja I traveled with over 30 people. Everybody had a title to be in the plane. So I asked myself, I am the only one being invited to Abuja. I pay for 30 people to Abuja, constitute a problem to the traveling public, I am the one going to Abuja for a meeting. Because they are idle and in the hotel, they eat more so I have a lot of bills to pay. In the end, every trip was costing me N10 million and at times I do this four to five times in a month so I had to ask what the purpose of each person in Abuja and I found out the only person who was needed in Abuja was me.
Speaking on security, Obi said he did not take his security from Awka to Abuja because the cost of flight then was 30,000 thousand per each office to go there, and he had to purchase for them while coming back to the state too. So instead of this, he will travel to Abuja alone, and ask the Inspector General of police to give him 2-3 officers, and when he is done,he gives them 5,000 Naira each.
Peter Obi talks on a lot of issues and this is eyes opener for Nigerians, Please watch here: