An economist, Prof. Ndubisi Nwokoma, has called on the Federal Government to implement immediate measures that would provide relief and ease the burden of rising costs and economic hardships on Nigerians.
Nwokoma, who is the director, Centre for Economic Policy, Advocacy and Research (CEPAR), made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos.
He spoke on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s New Year address to the nation during which he defended his actions so far.
Tinubu explained steps taken to better the economy, outlined his ambition and plans for the country and called on Nigerians to play their part in the growth of the nation, among others.
Nwokoma noted that the president’s address did not offer immediate solutions to ease the hardships caused by recent policies.
He said that the address focused on hopes and dreams for the future rather than presenting realistic solutions to present problems.
“The president’s New Year’s address to the nation was largely aspirational. First, on the policy steps taken, their consequential effects on the populace and what would be done going forward.
He said the address was not much of what significant progress had been made in the past seven months. Not much of short-term remedies to address the pains of the past policy pronouncements.
It also did not dwell much on what would be done to drastically reduce the cost of governance in the light of dwindling public resources.
“Nigerians need some form of succour to navigate through the present challenging times,’’ he said.
The expert advised the government to acknowledge the people’s suffering and address it with empathy and practical solutions by coming up with concrete steps and timeliness for improvement.
He urged the government to demonstrate progress and take responsibility for any negative consequences of past policies.
Nwokoma also said that government’s spendings needed to be reduced to match the reduced public resources.
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