Despite the struggle by the federal government to take the country out of recession and its subsequent economic growth, Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Chairman said the rate of poverty amongst Nigerian is still high.
Oshiomhole made this statement during the maiden Presidential policy retreat held at Aso Rock Abuja on Wednesday.
The APC chairman said this while reviewing the party progress as against its achievement in fulfillment of its campaign promises to Nigerians.
Though his perspective differs with President Buhari who made his speech earlier before the party chairman, Buhari said under his watch Nigeria was pulled out of economic recession.
Buhari claimed various monetary and fiscal measures were taken, economic growth was restored, he curbed inflation and shored up our external reserves,” We have witnessed eight quarters of consistent marginal growth of the economy over the past two and a half years.” In his welcome address.
However, the party chairman said otherwise. In his statement, though the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) helped the country out of recession, “within a short space”, but the rate of economic growth is still far less than the rate of population growth.
He added, unless a deliberate effort is made if our economic growth rate remains lower than the rate of population growth, poverty would remain endemic.”
According to Oshiomhole, it is not just about growing the economy and creating wealth, those benefitting from this wealth are of paramount importance ensuring that the inequality is addressed through a good policy instrument that will be of good benefit to the Nigerian masses in general.
“This will require a review of access to credit and access to mortgage, unemployment, low level of manufacturing and the need for diversification of the economy Oshiomhole added.
Speaking on corruption, Mr. Oshiomhole said a large number of recovered loots were recorded so far under the present administration.
He said the Buhari administration have recovered a lot of looted funds and Nigerians are aware that billions of naira and dollars have been recovered and judicial pronouncements has confirmed that they were looted funds and its subsequent order for its forfeiture to the federal government federation account. These funds will be used for the welfare and the well-being of the Nigerian people.
Lastly, he said the retreat should critically “review our achievements in the first term and map out strategy for the second term.
“What we hope to achieve in this Next Level Agenda is clear. This is why I want to challenge us to look at the following issues amongst others:
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