Federal Government, yesterday, said the relocation of the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 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 were political moves to marginalise a section of the country.
Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South and a chieftain of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum ( NEF) and other northern groups had kicked against the moves by FAAN and the apex bank, insinuating that it was an attempt to marginalise the north.
But 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 marginalising a section of the country.
“These allegations are unfounded. Instead, these are pragmatic administrative steps to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.
“I would like to urge all Nigerians to be especially mindful of all persons and groups at home and abroad, who specialise in making false and inciting claims on radio, TV and social media, as well as in peddling altered videos and images for viral dissemination.” He must all to stand together as one against forces that constantly seek to test and break the bonds that hold Nigeria. .
“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.”
