Group says NASS should not be a “combustible political chemical fuelling national disintegration, mutual suspicion”

Colliation of Civil Society organisation in Nigeria, has kicked against ongoing probe of the funds released by the Chinese government for the construction of rail lines across parts of Nigeria. A statement signed by the Chancellor, lnternational Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, ISSJHR, Dr Omenazu Jackson, stated that the probe by the National Assembly, is capable of igniting disunity and disaffection amongst citizens.

Excerpts of the statement read: The international Society for Social Justice and Human Rights in collaboration with other civil Society organisations is calling on NASS to halt the attempt to provoke the people of Niger Delta and South East regions of the country by their recent clandestine move to halt the railway projects embarked upon by Federal Government of Nigeria within the two regions.

While no sane organisation with clear and objective intentions will refuse NASS from carrying out their constitutional duties of oversight, the timing and obvious style of this functions / probe are really worrisome because other regions has benefited from same developmental projects with same borrowed funds from same China. We have successfully borrowed to build Abuja-Kaduna line, Lagos-Ibadan line.

There were no questions. Now that we want to borrow to build Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar line and to also cover the South East NASS members have recovered from their slumber. I just hope that they are aware that even the repayment of all the loans will be shouldered with resources from the Niger Delta. The South East also produce the nation’s wealth and deserves good things like railways project. We view this inquest at this time as a rude affront to the sensibility of the aforementioned regions and an attempt to endanger national security and peaceful coexistence which is needless at this time of our history.

Never a time that Nigeria need focused, dynamic and patriotic national legislative assembly than now. Our country is drifting into anarchoronic society due to the inept behaviour of the so called political elites. So any well meaning Nigerian should avoid any action that will aid the already volatile situation. We expect NASS to be a viable vehicle of national integration and not a combustible political chemical fuelling national disintegration and mutual suspicion. We owe our unborn children a duty of bequeathing a better country for them and in such journey of national responsibility NASS should be at the drivers seat not acting like careless conductors whose interest in the sustenance of the national vehicle is suspicious and lackadaisical.

Only a fool will not read in between the lines to see that there is a sinister motive behind the recent Chinese loan probe embarked upon by NASS. We call on Federal Government as a matter of urgency to commence the railway projects linking South South and South East to other parts of the country as proposed in the budget. ” When a constitutional responsibility becomes a tool against development and national cohesion, it seizes to be a national duty but a blind attack on the future development of such country and an assertion of physiological violence on the people”.

Mr president should please give a presidential order for the immediate commencement of South South and South East railway projects. His dignified silence in this instance send a wrong signal as NASS is out to dwaf his developmental initiatives . NASS should be reminded that “politics without morality is amplified criminality”. The world is watching.