Ben Bruce, senator representing Bayelsa east, on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to adjust his approach to the anti-corruption crusade, saying the policy was scaring investors.
Bruce, who disclosed this while contributing to the senate’s debate on the economic recession in the country, said Nigeria should not expect foreign investments as even local investors had stopped investing.
He said people who had money to invest were no longer doing so because the anti-graft agencies were harassing any person with cash transactions running into millions.
“Buhari’s approach to anti-corruption is wrong: let us forget the foreign investors, what about the local investors?” he said
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“If people are afraid, they will not invest; fear will not be a policy to grow the economy.
“Money is a coward; it only goes to places where there is peace and tranquillity.
“I have a friend who paid legitimate N50 million into his account and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) came and picked him up.
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“We cannot be afraid to be Nigerians; we cannot be afraid to live in our country.”
Bruce recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo also fought corruption but that his anti-corruption fight did not put fear in the minds of real investors.
He expressed support for Buhari’s anti-corruption fight but insisted that the approach should be changed to encourage investments.
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2 comments
This so called common sense man amazes me at times. So where’s the common sense behind what he just said. Its indeed very sad. If the source of your money is genuine, then why be afraid. Its only a thief that sees police and run without the police even noticing him. Mr Bruce, c’mon.. Be serious.
All of you who condem Sen.Bruce are just angry at the messenger , don’t deny that he speaks truth. Or are you suddenly in the Eutopia of your Nigeria . Look around you the country is slowly grinding to a standstill, and you are petty stabbing someone who sees the bigger picture. This country needs a breath of fresh air , choking it with fear , uncertinty and recession will not secure anything good. Focus your sharp tongues and eyes on the real issue & the big picture .