By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
The Arewa Progressives Forum (APF) has asked Nigerians to be patient with the present administration as the ongoing reforms will soon begin to yield the desired result.
APF a good governance forum comprising of professionals from the North, noted that the state of affairs met on ground by the present administration calls for measures to tackle the prevailing situation in the country.
National Coordinator of the Forum, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu in a statement in Kaduna, said “taking a keen look at the prevailing situation in the country and efforts so far put in place by the government through the Ministry of Finance, it has become pertinent to ask “Nigerians to be patient with the President Bola Tinubu administration to enable it put its policies together for the socio-economic development of the country.”
The statement also called on Nigerians, especially Northerners to avail themselves the opening provided by the government on the BVN and NIN, saying it will assist them to fully benefit from government programmes, including the palliatives that are being shared across the country.
Part of the statement said: “When a country is at a cross road, it only takes a strong minded leader with a heart for his people to take tough decisions that will allow it to pass through its stormy phase.
” It is clear that at the time the present administration came into power, drastic measures were needed to keep the country going and also guide against a future that will be detrimental to the growth and development of the children yet unborn. It was because of this that President Tinubu trusted the All Important ministry of Finance to Wale Edun the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
“To also justify the faith reposed in him, the Minister also followed in the direction of the administration which has commence the journey with policies aimed at turning the tide against the old order and putting the country on a good footing.”
The forum named some of the policies as petroleum subsidy removal, fiscal and monetary policies reforms aimed at removing multiple taxation and streamlining/simplifying tax administration as well as achieving single foreign market that will ensure willing buyers and sellers.
“Those reforms are applauded not only by the experts within the Nigerian economy but also International Development Partners such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank among others, noting that these reforms are what Nigeria needs right now to solve its problems.
“The Minister of Finance who always has the people in mind made sure that the Federal Government also came with the plans that will cushion the effect of the policies especially the palliatives.
“This include the promise to increase cash transfers to 12 million vulnerable Nigerians, stressing that the transfers which was temporarily halted would soon return after necessary reviews and adjustments.
“Also, over 60,000 metric tonnes of grains had been released to drive down the cost of food items across the country,” the statement said.
