- Again, FG Speaks, Says Move Will Reduce Operational Costs
- Says It’s Not Meant To Marginalise Any Section Of Nigeria
- Sending Aviation’s Operations Department To Lagos Will Lead To Efficient Management Of Operations-Uzodinma
The reaction and counter reaction that trailed the planned relocation of some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos State has refused to go away.
The Matrix had reported that CBN in an internal memo last week announced plans to transfer some of its departments to Lagos State, citing congestion at the headquarters in Abuja
“This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimize the operational environment of the bank.
“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilization of our office space,” the CBN memo said.
READ ALSO: FAAN: Arewa Stakeholders Dissociate Self from Protest Against Relocation to Lagos
Similarly, the Federal Government announced the relocation of FAAN headquarters from Abuja to Lagos.
The relocation was officially announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a memo dated January 15, 2024, and signed by the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku.
Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South as well as chieftains of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and other northern groups had kicked against the moves insinuating that it was an attempt to marginalise the north.
Reacting to the development, the Federal Government on Sunday said the planned relocation of the agencies to Lagos will increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.
In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed claims that the relocation of some departments in the two agencies are political moves to marginalise a section of the country.
However, the minister said, “It is not true that the relocation to Lagos of the Headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and of certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are political moves aimed at marginalizing a section of the country.
“These allegations are unfounded. Instead, these are pragmatic administrative steps to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.
READ ALSO: Outrage Still Trails FG’s Plan To Relocate Departments Of CBN, FAAN To Lagos
“I would like to urge all Nigerians to be especially mindful of all persons and groups at home and abroad, who specialize in making false and inciting claims on radio, TV and social media, as well as in peddling altered videos and images for viral dissemination.
“We must all stand together as one, against these forces that constantly seek to test and break the bonds that hold us.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the work of building the Nigeria of our dreams is one that must be done by everyone, regardless of our religious faith or ethnic group or geopolitical zone.”
“The heartwarming exploits of our beloved Super Eagles at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire are another case in point; a timely reminder that the things that bind us together as one are much deeper than the things that separate and divide us.
“Let us never forget what is truly possible: that instead of division and hatred, we can live and thrive in unity and hope, assured that, despite the temporary challenges and setbacks that we face from time to time, a glorious dawn is just around the corner,” he added.
Similarly, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has added his voice to the ongoing debate saying there is no ill feeling in the development.
“I listened to Ali Ndume, I listened to the Northern Senators’ Forum, I listened to the Emir of Kano. You can see the preponderance of opinions. and then the majority opinion is that merit should be the driving criterion for decision-making in the country,” the governor said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
“The main aviation hub is in Lagos and if the operation’s department is sent to Lagos to be able to manage aviation operations effectively, I have not seen any ill in it,” said the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Uzodimma also said the CBN is the bankers’ bank, supervising all the commercial banks in the country. He said merit should be the criterion and efficiency should be the name of the business.
“Therefore, if you move the operations department of FAAN to Lagos to supervise airlines, it makes economic sense,” the governor stressed, while he accused President Bola Tinubu’s opponents of sponsoring “campaign of calumny” against him over the policies of his administration.
