Cut cost of governance to save Nigeria’s economy, CD tells Buhari

A civil society group, Campaign for Democracy (CD) has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari on the reduction of the cost of governance in the face of the current biting economic crisis in the country.

CD made the call after its National Administrative Council meeting in Abuja on Friday.

In a communiqué signed by its President, Ifeanyi Odili; and General Secretary, Abdulahi Jabi and made available to the media on Saturday, the group said the appeal became necessary as part of efforts to save Nigeria’s economy from total collapse.

“The group attributes the current socio-economic logjam in the country to undue salaries, emoluments and other office prerequisites attached to the officers in the executive and the legislative arms of government,” said.

“This is also encouraging massive looting of our monies and destructive corrupt practices by the political class.”

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The group also said it is worried that the budget of the National Assembly is enough to create jobs for millions of unemployed graduates roaming about in the streets culminating in prostitution, youth restiveness, agitations and all forms of social vices in the country.

“If Nigeria must therefore reclaim its lost glory, there is the urgent need to cut the cost of governance, otherwise the nation will be doomed in no distant time because the services being rendered by the members of the National Assembly to the nation are far below their take home pay,” it said.

Calling on the Federal Government to start the diversification of economy, it said the current situation is akin to economic suicide for the nation to depend solely on oil for its existence which is fast losing its worth in the international market.

It also added that Nigeria had great potential and enormous natural resources that can bring meaningful socio-economic development to the nation if adequately harnessed.

“But when there is concentration on a single resource base, as it has always been, the country will continue to witness further economy depression, and high rate of unemployment,” it warned.

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