He said: “What we have today in Ohanaeze are people who are selfish like the politicians and that is why things are not working in Igbo land. Look at the federal roads in the South East, yet, we claim we have such group and representatives.”
Addressing journalists in Awka on Thursday, the septuagenarian, who does not belong to any political party called for the commercialisation of all federal roads in the country by handing them to the multinational companies for effective management.
He warned those criticising the anti-corruption war by President Muhammadu Buhari to desist from it, saying that it was the only act capable of returning the country’s lost glory.
Nwogbo also criticised some Nigerians who pay lip service to the problems of Nigeria without proffering solutions to the problems.
The elder statesman further noted that the few roads that are presently of standard in the South East are those built by Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) when Buhari was its chairman many years ago while all the roads, built by the governors in the last three years have collapsed.
“It is a shame. I suggest that all the roads in the country be commercialised, with 10-year maintenance agreements built in every contract given to any contractor for solid roads to be built,” he stated.
He maintained that it has been evidently proven that Buhari was ready to fight corruption, but regretted that such epidemic may return after his tenure, except his replacement would have such strong will like him.
“The president is sincere in his fight against corruption in the land. Nigerians are a difficult set of people to lead because they lack patience,” he said.
While suggesting that professors in the country be put together in their different areas, to map out a two hundred year developmental plan for Nigeria to discuss in details the measures for running government adding that the National Assembly should also work on part time bases instead of full time which has indirectly drained the country’s economy.
On the abolishment of toll gates in Nigeria, Nwogbo said the destruction of the toll gates in the country under then president, Olusegun Obasanjo did not go down well with him, as according to him, it was the reason for the state of bad roads in the country.
He said: “If the multinationals were given the roads and charged with the responsibility of maintaining them with a warning that if any one that failed to maintain theirs would be taken away from them, it would make them to sit up and ensure the roads are maintained.”
