A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Farah Dagogo, has once more tasked the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government with devising workable economic policies that would ameliorate the sufferings and hardships of the majority of Nigerians.
He described the country’s current living standards and situations as ‘ grim’ raising concerns that all indicators point to ‘ further pains for the citizenry.’
In a special Sallah message to Muslim faithful across the country made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday yesterday, Fubara wondered why the people would continue to languish and wallow in so much misery in the midst of the country’s abundant natural resources.
Fubara said: “Today, yesterday and especially in the past one year, the people’s purchasing powers have reduced drastically. Never has this country witnessed this level of hyperinflation in its history, not even during our civil war. It is a grim reality.
“The value of ₦40,000 in 2015 is equivalent to over ₦500, 000 in today’s Nigeria of 2024. Check the costs of goods and services during this period vis-a-vis the reality of today and we will all come to that sad realisation. That was why labour was justifiably demanding for a living wage.
“The inconsolable unavoidable truth is that the value of the money most persons are getting or earning in 2024 is not too different from that of 2015 but the purchasing powers have practically gone out of the window.
“Anti-people and inhuman economic policies have helped put the people in a terrible state. Money that could comfortably procure over 10 bags of 50kg rice in 2015 can only buy one now, yet no improvement in the real money in the hands of the people.
“Something has to give way; this cannot continue. These sufferings and hardships have to be remedied. Unfortunately, optics point to further pains for the citizenry.”
