The Senator representing Kogi West District, Senator Sunday Karimi has said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, inherited the worst economic challenges so far in the Fourth Republic.
Senator Karimi spoke at the maiden edition of Igbaruku Day organized by Igbaruku-Okeri Community Development Association (ICDA) held in Igbaruku-Okeri, Yagba West Local Council, Kogi State.
According to him, the administration has shown commitment towards rebuilding the economy and the transformation of same to a strong, self-sufficient economy. With a plea for more patience, he enthused that the president’s long-term vision driven by proactive policy actions towards achieving sustainable economic recovery, is slowly yielding fruits.
Noting that the process of achieving economic recovery should be seen as a collective effort both by the government and the citizenry “since government alone cannot make all that is good for the people happen”, the lawmaker charged the people on patriotism and commitment to the development of their communities.
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He stated that with the citizens playing their parts, the economic challenges being faced by the current administration will be reasonably addressed with major successes, and in the short term.
“The government of Tinubu inherited a bad, in fact, the worst situation, so far. Tinubu met the average gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 1.8 per cent. In terms of the inflation rate, the four-year average preceding the administration of Tinubu was 15.1 per cent. Nigeria was so bad that the government printed money without activities to back it up. It is still our government, APC (All Progressives Congress).
“We admit that. Naira was almost turning into tissue paper, where one US Dollar equated to 1900 Naira. But the Tinubu government is not resting on its oars. They are working tirelessly everyday to find solutions to the problems. Today, one Dollar equals 1,350 Naira. Port Harcourt refinery is back, Warri refinery is back. With patience with President Tinubu, we will live to see the Nigeria of our dreams, in the short term”, he said.
Karimi stated that the purpose of gatherings like Igbaruku Day is to bring people together to work towards a common goal of improving the quality of life and standards of living in their communities.
While also reiterating his resolve to the infrastructural development of Kogi West, the Senator informed the people of his effort towards ensuring that the Iluhagba-Egbe Federal Trunk A Road is given a facelift. He promised that the palliative repairs ongoing will resume very shortly so as to help ease the transportation of farm produce as well as improve the economy of the area.
The Senator also spoke about the imperativeness of the financial autonomy of the local government administration as the panacea for grassroots development. Emphasizing the need for the sub-nationals to give their support for the “State Police” proposal to ensure the security of lives, properties and the economy of the local communities, he noted that the security of all Nigerians is a major priority and would be treated as such by the national assembly so as to give proper legislation to it whenever it comes up for deliberation.
Senator Karimi who chaired the occasion prayed for the peace and prosperity of Igbaruku, Oke-Eri, Yagba, Kogi West and the Nation at large.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE