From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Former member of the House of Representatives, Farah Dagogo, has again tasked the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to come up with workable economic policies that would ameliorate the sufferings and hardships majority of Nigerians are experiencing.
He described the current living standards and situations in the country as ‘grim’ raising concerns that all indicators point to “further pains for the citizenry.”
In a special Eid-ul-Adha (Sallah) message to Muslim faithful across the country, the former Federal lawmaker wondered why the people will continue to languish and wallow in so much misery in the midst of the country’s abundant natural resources.
He said: “Today, yesterday and especially in the past one year, the peoples’ purchasing powers have reduced drastically. Never has this country witnessed this level of hyper-inflation in its history, not even during our civil war. It is a grim reality.
“The value of ₦40,000 in 2015 is equivalent to over ₦500,000 in today’s Nigeria of 2024. Criss-cross the costs of goods and services during this period and vis-a-vis the reality of today and we all will come to that sad realization. That was why labour was justifiably demanding for a living wage.
“The inconsolable unavoidable truth is that the value of the money most persons are getting or earning in this 2024 is not too different from that of 2015. But, the purchasing powers have practically gone out the window.
“Anti-people and inhuman economic policies have helped put the people in terrible state. Money that could comfortably procure over 10 bags of 50kg rice in 2015 can only buy one now. Yet, no improvement in the real money in the hands of the people.
“Something has to give way, this cannot continue. These sufferings and hardships have to be remedied. Unfortunately, optics point to further pains for the citizenry.”
Taking a cue from the central message of Eid-ul-Adha, which also means festival of sacrifice, Farah Dagogo saluted Nigerians for their sacrifices and resilience over these difficult periods, especially in the past one year.
He, however, challenged the government to be above board and “walk the talk of renewing the citizenry’s hope.”
“The government promises, pledges and policies, as at now, are mere cosmetics without any corresponding positivities on majority of Nigerians. It behooves this government to walk the talk of renewing the citizenry’s hope.
“The much touted renewed hope should reflect its literary meaning and not renewing hardships and suffering as being experienced across the country.”
Ends.