Hardship: We Won’t Cut Corners To Revive Economy – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday said the President Bola Tinubu-administration will not cut corners in its quest to ensure Nigeria’s economic recovery.

He said the president, in choosing a path that promises to save Nigeria from economic downfall, made difficult but necessary choices to ensure long-term stability and prosperity.

The vice president said this at the first edition of the Asiwaju Scorecard Series, organised by All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum in Abuja.

Represented by his special adviser on general duties, Dr Aliyu Moddibo Umar, Shettima said the removal of the fuel subsidy was done to redeem the reality of the nation’s unsustainable debt service-to-revenue ratio, which had grown to alarming levels over the past few years.

He said, “In our quest for economic recovery, we must recognise that we are not here to cut corners. The path we have chosen involves necessary sacrifices, but these are essential for securing a brighter future for Nigeria. Our economic indicators will improve as we continue to implement our policies, and we are confident that significant growth is on the horizon.

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“Our interventions to save the economy of the nation have been crucial in combating economic sabotage by identifying individuals and groups masterminding these setbacks and profiting from them, whether through currency manipulation or institutionalised corruption,” he added.

Shettima said the administration was fully aware of the sacrifices ahead when it took on the challenge of steering the nation through the economic storm.

“Yet, we create enterprises, and the expanded National MSME Clinics. These programmes are designed to create more job opportunities and foster economic inclusivity.

“Our commitment to education is evident in the launch of the student loan scheme, with Mr. Jim Ovia appointed to lead the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. This initiative will empower our youth and ensure that they have the resources needed to succeed, and I assure you that the policy is in place to offer interventions to vulnerable or disadvantaged Nigerians without discrimination or favouritism,” Shettima said.

The vice president added that the administration was waging a relentless war against corruption with high profile cases, demonstrating its dedication to this cause.

He said the ongoing digitisation of revenue collection, across all government sectors, is expected to yield significant results and enhance transparency.

Shettima appealed for patience and collective effort from all Nigerians as the government works toward a future of safety, prosperity, and optimism that serves all.

In his remarks, the APC national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, said his leadership is focused on ensuring Tinubu gets reelected, party retains and wins more states after the 2027 election.

Ganduje said the party, under his watch, has constituted a reconciliation committee that would reconcile all aggrieved party members, adding that such a committee will be established at the state, local government and ward levels.

“We are gradually restructuring our party into a truly grassroots progressive party. We have directed our state chapters to liaise with their respective governors and other stakeholders to ensure that we have full-fledged, functional offices in every political ward and state to enable our members across the country to have symbolic representation in their neighborhood.

“This measure will ensure that party activities are rolled out all year round not during political campaigning and elections only. On e-registration of our members, we have asked for three nominations from each senatorial zone of the country for a train-the trainer programme here in Abuja.

“Subsequently, the programme will be formally launched in Niger State, at a date to be announced. The aim of the registration exercise is to have a comprehensive data on our membership for planning purposes,” he added.

In his address of welcome, the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of APC Professionals Forum, Dr Isa Yuguda, said Tinubu did not create any of the problems people are talking about, whether in the economy or in the other sectors.

“Infact what he met on ground would have created a worse situation if not properly handled but he is championing reforms that are required to pave the way for a better society.

“We all recall how on assuming office, President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy but again for the avoidance of doubt he did not remove subsidy on PMS. It was not in the later part of the 2023 budget but surprisingly the Tinubu administration has had to bear the brunt for subsidy removal.

“Let me quickly add that my opposition to fuel subsidy has been well documented since the Goodluck Jonathan years when as chairman of a subcommittee on the economic meltdown, we recommended its removal after a discovery of the scam being perpetrated in the name of fuel subsidy,” he added.