The Lagos Central senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ladipo Johnson, has called for greater impact of the federal government’s economic reforms on the living conditions of Nigerians.
Mr Johnson made the call while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast on Thursday, in which the President said Nigeria had moved from the difficult phase of economic reforms into an “age of prosperity.”
He said that the president, in the address marking Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary, said the administration’s priority had shifted toward shared prosperity, job creation, increased production and improved living standards.
Mr Johnson, however, said the benefits of economic reforms needed to be more evident in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in the areas of food prices, transportation, energy costs and household purchasing power.
He said while the government had highlighted improvements in some economic indicators, the experiences of many citizens should also be considered when assessing the overall impact of the reforms.
According to him, economic growth will be more meaningful when it translates into improved welfare, greater opportunities and a more affordable standard of living for ordinary Nigerians.
“Economic reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives of citizens, particularly those who are struggling with the rising cost of basic necessities,” he said.
Mr Johnson also called for greater attention to local production, saying policies that encouraged manufacturing, agriculture, entrepreneurship and small businesses would help strengthen the productive capacity of the economy.
He said the government should create a business environment that enables entrepreneurs and small-scale businesses to operate sustainably, expand their activities and create employment opportunities.
“The government should continue to support local production and entrepreneurship so that Nigerians can become more productive and businesses can create more jobs,” he said.
The NDC candidate also urged the federal government to sustain efforts toward improving electricity supply, saying reliable and affordable energy remained important to the growth of businesses and industries.
He said improved power supply would help reduce production costs and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Mr Johnson further called for social intervention programmes to be implemented transparently and targeted at Nigerians who genuinely required assistance.
He said such interventions should complement broader economic policies aimed at creating sustainable employment, improving household incomes and reducing vulnerability.
The candidate also emphasised the need for greater investment in food security, healthcare, education and infrastructure, describing the sectors as critical to improving the welfare and productivity of citizens.
Mr Johnson said constructive criticism and alternative policy proposals were important elements of democratic governance, urging the government to continue to engage different stakeholders on the implementation and impact of its policies.
He noted that the country’s 66th Independence anniversary provided an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the progress made so far and the need to strengthen policies capable of delivering inclusive development.
Mr Johnson urged Nigerians to remain committed to the country while calling for policies that would ensure that the benefits of economic growth were increasingly reflected in the lives of citizens.
He said the NDC would continue to advocate policies centred on productive economic activities, accountability, social welfare and opportunities for Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
(NAN)