The Federal Tenders Board and that of the ministries will be reactivated and given wider powers to make sure contracts are awarded to competent firms. Having worked with Obasanjo in Transparency International, Walson-Jack said he felt the president was earnest in ending this blight on Nigeria. He added that legislators who oppose anti-corruption bills in parliament would be seen by the public as corrupt. Other measures will be to reduce a bloated public service and eliminate ghost workers. Have your say Mail the editor Transport priorities, Obasanjo said, will be to design and implement a road maintenance policy, and carry out a rural road development programme that will employ the vast pool of rural labour.
Railways are to be modernised and expanded.
In the troubled Niger Delta, rivers and other inland waterways will be utilised for mass transport in certain towns and cities. Agricultural inputs are to be supplied in a more timely fashion and irrigation facilities will be rehabilitated. He said he will encourage the construction of small-scale irrigation facilities for farmers, and support livestock production. Obasanjo said he will review the policy on developing solid minerals by removing impediments to investment in this sector. Obasanjo said he will reverse this by enforcing laws on the purchase, storage and distribution of all petroleum products and make sure exploration licences are granted only after competitive bidding.