WARRI/Nigeria: In a surprising revelation, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, announced on Friday in Abuja the planned return of the seized $150,000,000 (one hundred and fifty million dollars) in funds linked to the late military head, Major General Sani Abacha. This disclosure has set off a wave of mixed reactions among the Nigerian populace.
Recognizing the importance of gauging public sentiment on this significant development, our public enlightenment officer conducted a survey in Nana Town within the Koko Community of Warri North Local Government Area. The collected opinions shed light on the diverse perspectives of Nigerians regarding the fate of the repatriated Abacha loot.
Numerous respondents expressed their concerns and recommendations regarding the utilization of these funds, emphasizing the need for transparency and wise stewardship. Mr. Justin Okotie, one of the respondents, urged the federal government to ensure accountability, proposing that the funds should be dedicated to the critical task of maintaining the nation’s federal roads.
“This Abacha loot should be accounted for by the present administration of the country. For me, it should be used for repairs of federal roads like the Ugbenu/Ologbo Road, which is one of the flashpoints in the country right now,” Mr. Okotie asserted.
Similarly, Mr. Cosmos Mene echoed the sentiment shared by Minister Colonna, advocating for the diligent allocation of the returned Abacha funds to developmental projects that benefit Nigerians, with a specific emphasis on the rehabilitation of deteriorating federal road infrastructure. “The French minister has said it all,” Mr. Mene emphasized, “developmental projects such as the repair of federal roads in the country should be paramount when it comes to making decisions on what to do with the returned loot.”
Another respondent, Mr. Jemine Oforitse, stressed the importance of involving the Nigerian populace in decision-making processes regarding the utilization of the repatriated Abacha funds. He proposed that the federal government should conduct an opinion poll to gauge the public’s preferences for key projects. “The federal government should carry Nigerians along in the decision-making process concerning the utilization of the yet-to-be-returned Abacha loot by the French government,” Oforitse asserted.
In a personal perspective, Mr. Oforitse highlighted the pressing issue of subpar road infrastructure in the country and suggested that the administration of President Bola Tinubu should conduct a survey to better understand the public’s concerns regarding this issue. These diverse opinions reflect the multifaceted nature of the debate surrounding the fate of the Abacha loot and its potential impact on the nation.
