NAN-H-30
Infrastructure
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Jan. 21, 2017 (NAN) A Faith-Based Organisation (FBO), “The Muslim Congress (TMC)”, has commended the Federal Government for allocating substantial funds in the 2017 budget to critical infrastructure.
The Chairman of the FBO’s Committee on Social Mobilisation, the Economy and Politics, Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem, gave the commendation in his “5th State of the Nation Quarterly Address’’ presented on Saturday in Lagos.
“The backbone of our economic development is the provision of infrastructure such as rail, road and electricity.
“It is therefore, commendable that government is working toward these in the 2017 budget.
“We commend the Federal Government for agreement with Morocco to manufacture fertiliser locally, thereby, reviving the abandoned Nigerian fertiliser blending plant.
“Through this agreement, local raw materials available will be used optimally and imports will be drastically reduced,’’ AbdurRaheem said.
According to him, a lot still needs to be done for this budget to get us out of recession that has brought so much pains, deprivation, hunger to so many families in Nigeria.
“Defeat of Boko Haram: We commend the Federal Government and the Military Force for the gain it has recorded to further decimate the Boko Haram by capturing their stronghold in Sambisa and arresting over a thousand fighters.
“The dreaded Boko Haram lost its potent force when it came against spirited determination of the Federal Government and the resolve of the armed forces, couple with the right armaments and ammunition.
“This is a laudable effort which must be sustained,’’ AbdurRaheem said.
He also commended the effective move by Federal and some State Governments to diversify the economy with a view to bailing the country out of recession.
AbdurRaheem, particularly, commended Ebonyi, Lagos and Kebbi states for successfully producing rice in large quantity to feed the Nigerian populace, thereby conserving the scarce foreign exchange that could have been used to import the commodity.
“The 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory Abuja, are supposed to compete in the diversification projects, since they are closer to the people than the Federal Government.
“This is why we commend Ebonyi State for the Abakaliki rice that it has successfully produced in large quantity.
“We also commend Lagos and Kebbi States for the Lake rice that they have produced in large quantity as well.
“It is needless to say that this development has helped in mitigating hunger in these states.
“It is commendable that these states sought to think out of the box with positive impact on their people and the economy,’’ he said.
According to him, this diversification must not be limited to production of rice alone but must be extended to include wheat, beans, yam, corn and other essential foods in Nigeria.
“Other states should not fold their arms but rather join in the struggle for economic diversification by making large investments in agriculture, thereby, providing jobs and food security for their people,’’ AbdurRaheem said.
He, however, expressed dismay with the abysmal performance of the electricity sub-sector.
AbdurRaheem, who is a Senior Lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, said the fall in electricity supply had contributed to keeping people idle, while they waited on Distribution Electric Companies (DISCOs) for supply.
“People had expected that there would be a better supply of electricity and the metering of many homes that are suffering under the weight of estimated billings.
“The initial improvement in electricity supply has stagnated in the past few months and people have had to resort to supplying their energy needs through the use of generators at exorbitant costs.
“This is not good news for a nation in the throes of recession,’’ he said. (NAN)
AIB/AJA
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