Nsukka (Enugu State) – An economist, Mr Andrew Ike, on Monday described the Federal Government’s commitment to the recovery of looted funds as a healthy development for the economy.
Ike told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka, Enugu State that the commitment required stakeholders to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption.
He said that until stakeholders, irrespective of political and religious affiliations, closed rank to fight bribery and corruption, the fight would not achieve the desired results.
“The efforts by President Buhari to rid the country of bribery and corruption will not yield the required result if stakeholders in the country do not join their hands and encourage him.
“The commitment of Buhari to restore the economy of the country by waging war against corruption and recovery of looted funds are welcome developments.
“Politicians should not play politics with the country’s economy as Nigeria is the only country we can call our own,” he said.
Ike pleaded with Nigerians to see the present economic hardship as sacrifices to restore the economy that had been battered in the past.
“The developed countries we envy today all went through these economic hardships before they became what they are now.
“Though it is a very difficult moment, we should see it as a moment of sacrifices to rescue the country’s economy,” he said.
The analyst, however, urged Buhari to put some economic measures in place to cushion the present hardship.
“The government should put certain measures in place to cushion the effect of the present hardship. Our hospitals should be equipped, accessible and affordable to Nigerians.
“The government should improve public power supply as well as ensure the availability of petroleum products.
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“More vehicles should be provided in government mass transport schemes at subsidised prices to ease the movement of Nigerians,” he said.
Ike advised the government to invest more on agriculture to ensure food security as well as create employments for youths.
“Any country that can adequately feed its citizens has recorded one great achievement; some people steal because they have nothing to eat.
“With investment in agriculture, there will be food security and in due time the country will become a big exporting nation. This will result in improvement of the economy and the value of the naira to the dollar will appreciate,’’ he said. (NAN)