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The Benefits of Relocating FAAN and CBN Departments to Lagos
The Benefits of Relocating FAAN and CBN Departments to Lagos
The recent discussions surrounding the proposed relocation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) head office back to Lagos, as well as the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to move its departments, including banking supervision, to Lagos, have sparked a wave of controversy. Despite opposition from certain quarters, it is crucial to recognize the positive implications of this principled administrative decision.
The proposed relocation is not only in the national interest but will also have a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians and the institutions that rely on these services. Moreover, it is likely to enhance the cohesiveness of the government’s agencies. In light of these potential benefits, it is imperative that the federal government proceed with the decision, disregarding the barrage of criticisms and ethnic sentiments that have accompanied the move.
It is disheartening to witness the opposition from certain factions, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and some politicians from the North, who have voiced their disapproval on the basis of parochial interests. The unnecessary injection of ethnic mistrust and misinterpretation of the progressive decisions of the CBN and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is regrettable.
In particular, the cautionary remarks made by the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, are concerning. His warnings of ‘political consequences’ and allegations of being misled by a ‘cartel of Lagos Boys’ only serve to perpetuate unnecessary discord. It is essential to remind such individuals that the primary essence of government is the wellbeing and security of the citizens who have entrusted public officers with power. As James Freeman Clarke aptly stated, “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation.”
It is imperative for Ndume and others to consider the cost benefits of the proposed relocation to Nigerians before jumping to the conclusion that it is skewed against northern interests. It is worth noting that there are several federal parastatals that are not based in Abuja, depending on their mandate, yet they continue to render efficient services without significant protest.
For example, the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have been situated in Lagos for decades without significant opposition. Similarly, the headquarters of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) are located in Lokoja, while the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is based in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. These instances demonstrate that the geographical location of federal parastatals does not impede their ability to deliver vital services.
It is crucial to emphasize that the decision to relocate the affected offices is purely administrative and should not be politicized by individuals or groups with vested interests. Ultimately, our citizens seek good governance that positively impacts their lives, rather than divisive narratives promoted by a few politicians and others bent on promoting sectional interests and dangerous politics aimed at pitting the North against the South, contrary to the national interest and the common good.
In case these promoters have forgotten, Lagos, which served as the nation’s federal capital from independence in 1960 until August 14, 1991, remains the financial, commercial, and aviation hub, with the headquarters of 96 percent of all banks in Nigeria located in the megacity.
Therefore, in our view, the relocation of the staff of the Departments of the CBN, who often travel to Lagos to check their books at the headquarters from Abuja at public expense and huge personal risk, will save cost and ensure higher productivity henceforth if they have the directorates in Lagos. Similarly, FAAN should be nowhere else but near the industry it regulates since it still maintains some presence in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Above all, moving employees to the Lagos office to streamline operations, make them more effective, and reduce cost is, we believe, a normal prerogative of management. It is however gratifying that some patriotic Nigerians, among them a former Governor of the CBN and deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, have distanced themselves from Ndume’s unguarded viewpoint on the issue, justified the relocation, listed its benefits, and cautioned against reading ethnic sentiments into the decision.
According to Sanusi, “individual situations should be considered. As much as possible, we should be empathetic. For example, young mothers with kids in school who do not need to move can be prioritised to stay in Abuja or those with medical conditions, etc. My advice to the CBN Governor is to go ahead with his policy. Once the CBN starts bending to political pressure on one thing, it will continue doing so. Northern politicians will shout that this is moving from Abuja to Lagos. Abuja is a federal capital, not a northern issue. So long as this is a principled decision, the noise should be ignored.”.
We strongly demand that both the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, not bow to any political pressure but push through the proposal to relocate the Banking Supervision, Other Financial Institutions Supervision, Consumer Protection Department, Payment System Management Department, and Financial Policy Regulations Department as soon as practicable, while the Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, should toe the same path in making the relocation of FAAN head office to Lagos a reality.
In conclusion, the proposed relocation of the FAAN and CBN departments to Lagos offers numerous benefits for the nation as a whole. It is imperative that the government remain steadfast in its commitment to this decision, prioritizing the greater good and the efficient delivery of services to all Nigerians. It is only through such principled administrative decisions that we can move towards a more cohesive and prosperous future for our nation.
