Attacks on government: urgent need to restore the goodwill, by Kola Amzat

Human memory is very short!

Suddenly, Nigerians have forgotten huge contributions-financial and logistic, made by Tinubu towards the enthronement of democratic governance in the country.

The former Lagos state governor was not only one of the major financiers of NADECO, he also accommodated many of the body’s top chieftains who fled abroad in a bid to escape the killer squad set up by  late General Sani Abacha.

He was one of the strategists, as well as key men behind MKO Abiola’s triumph in the aborted 1993 presidential election.     

The country men and women seem to have lost memory of the fact that Tinubu was the architect of the formation of APC, a coalition of parties that sent packing the then ruling party, PDP, that not only ruled for 16 years, but, whose top chieftains boasted that they would be in charge for 60 years.

The populace also appear to have forgotten that Bola Tinubu orchestrated the enduring Lagos Blue-print of governance, a template that has not only ensured continuity and stability in the state polity, but has launched the state economy to 3rd best in Sub-Saharan African.

For emphasis, Tinubu regime carved out 37 LCDAs from the existing 20 LGCs, an incredible initiative that has produced many cities within Lagos mega city.

It seems to have also disappeared from the citizenry’s memory the exploit of the illustrious politician in the exponential increase of the state IGR to about ₦8 billion/month from ₦600 million/month it was, when he ascended governor’s office in 1999.

On account of the template he bequeathed on the state, the IGR presently averaging about ₦60-65 billion on monthly basis.

Today, Lagos civil service remains the most professionalized across the country, an awesome development that has attracted the best of Nigerian professionals. This initiative also seems to have disappeared from the citizenry horizon.

And, of course, Nigerians appear to have de-emphasize the politician audacious exploit in taming Atlantic Ocean that became a dreaded monster in the entire spread of Victoria Island and its neighborhood, and turned it into Atlantic City, an awesome habitat that’s attracting the high and mighty in Nigeria and even, from across the globe.

With above myriads of huge accomplishments, the submission of this writer is that the president can’t just suddenly become a monster terrorizing Nigerians with poverty, hunger, deprivation and hopelessness!

At 78+, his heart of gold and kindness is still there.

His patriotism, loyalty, zeal, and dedication to the cause of the nation, as well as his desire to serve Nigerians dutifully remains un-debatable.

His commitment to give opportunity to Nigerians from diverse backgrounds and discerning minds to fulfil their potentials in full measure remains un-waivered.  

I’m dropping this piece in response to barrage of attacks by Nigerians on some of Lagos Radio Stations with particular reference to -94.1 FM, 99.3 FM Nig Info, 100.5 FM following the president broadcast on nation 64th Independence Anniversary Celebration.

Why are Nigerians subjecting the president to mindless and provocative attacks?        

 Yes! We’re battling with spiral inflation across board, an undesirable economic mishap making non-sense of our purchasing power!

Yes! The price of PMS, Nigeria most important product, is going out of hand, as it’s becoming un-affordable to the generality of Nigerians–households and business concerns, thus disrupting the economic activities across the country!

Yes! Strategic locations particularly in the North, are constantly under the siege of bandits, insurgents and kidnappers!

But, the economic challenges on-going across the country largely have its root from the global economic downturn.

Nigeria is therefore not immune from the fall-outs, considering that the country is a key player in the global economy.

But, it’s apparent that the nation wouldn’t have continued with the regime of petroleum subsidy, which was generally acknowledged as era of scam, with the then few members of oil cabal smiling to the banks with proceeds of ill-gotten wealth running into several billions of Naira on monthly basis from the heavily subsidized PMS importation.

At the fullest of time, history would vindicate the president for halting that unnecessary drain on the nation hard-earned resources.  

It’s also important to re-emphasize that floating the domestic currency with a view for it to finding its level in the market is an appropriate economic policy to take by any country desirous of genuine growth and development.

The president was in order to have also opted for this tough economic decision.  

However, in view of the fact that these key issues- huge hike in PMS and very unstable FOREX, have continually pitch the citizenry against the government, I hereby suggest the followings to douse the tension across the country:

FOREX INTERVENTION

The government should significantly reduce the maddening crowd of Bureau-de-Change operators.

The Dollars allocated to them on weekly basis are sold to speculators, who only engage in hoarding instead of channeling them for productive activities.

The group are just feasting on Nigeria hard-earned FOREX resources.

Their activities is counterproductive and very inimical to the nation’s bid to provide stability to our currency.

The president is implored to muster political will through CBN to curtail their nefarious and destructive activities, even though, there could be agitation from the north.

On a related note, CBN should be mandated to make dollars available on concessions on weekly/fortnightly basis to specific manufacturers across the nation who only engage in production of essential commodities capable of driving Nigeria economy.

INTERVENTION ON PMS

On PMS, I humbly implore the president to mandate a collaborative initiative between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery that would ensure relief for Nigerians with respect to pricing and availability.

MPR INTERVENTION

It’s also important that CBN should revisit its recent decision to hike MPR to 27.25% with a view to providing succor for users of loanable funds across the country.

The economy is already tightened, with real sector groaning in pains and agony of accessing from lenders of funds.

Retaining the rate would strangulate the economy further, with its spiral and multiplier effects on the prices of goods across board.

NEPA TARIFF INTERVENTION

It’s important to point out that electricity tariff is still a cause for concern, even with the present arrangement of Band A, B, C etc.

Further reduction in tariffs is hereby advocated across the Bands.

FOOD SECURITY

This writer also encourages the president to initiative and implement executive fiat that would significantly cause the increase of food supply and, at affordable prices to the downtrodden.

May be, the bothers have to be re-opened to allow some specific food items to come in with a view to complementing local production by farmers.  

On the path of the citizenry, the president remains the nation’s symbol of power & authority, as well as sovereignty.   

In this very difficult time, what the president needs is our collective supports and prayer, for him to successfully drive the affairs of the nation to posterity. 

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.

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