… welcomes plans de-dollarization of economy
By Musa Baba Adamu
A former Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume has advocated for the convocation of a National Conference on Economy to find a lasting solution to the ailing economy.
Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, said the Conference should be midwifed by Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; National Economic Adviser and renowned Nigerian economists to proffer home-grown solutions that will assist the Federal Government.
He suggested names such as Okonjo Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Mansur Muktar, Akinwumi Adesina, Aruma Oteh, Tope Fasua, among others to form members of the Conference.
He said: “This national economic summit should be purely led by these eminent Nigerians, and they’ll come up with recommendations instead of the IMF and World Bank’s prescriptions that are harsh and hard on ordinary citizens.
“I believe if the recommendations are good, President Tinubu will implement them, and this will help the country in no small ways.”
The Senator also hailed the recent de-dollarisation policy of the Federal Government, describing it as “right steps in the right direction.”
He said the move would strengthen the Naira and boost transatlantic trades with other nations of the world who don’t depend on the Dollar.
He urged the President to follow it up to a logical conclusion taking Nigeria into BRICS.
Ndume added that de-dollarization move would help Nigerian businessmen and women in the area of import from China and put less pressure on the Naira.
“That policy announced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be commended. If it is fully implemented, it will drastically reduce the pressure on the naira, and our international businessmen and women who import goods from countries like China will not depend on the United States dollar.
“The policy will also assist the naira in appreciating significantly. This will help us as a country in so many ways. So, I commend the President for taking these economic bold steps at a time like this.”
On the insecurity in the North East, Ndume hailed the President for equipping the Air Force, by purchasing military planes and helicopters to help them in the discharge of their duties.
He said these military hardware would be used to provide air support for soldiers and other security operatives, leading the ground offensive against insurgents and other terrorists in the country.
“I must commend the President for approving the purchase of military planes to help in the ongoing war against insurgents. I’m also urging that we buy more attack helicopters to help in this fight.
“More troops need to be recruited into the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. In addition to this, the security forces need to be trained, equipped, armed, and motivated.”
He also commended the recent rejigging of the Cabinet by the President, calling it a masterstroke.
He singled out that creation of the Ministry of Regional Development to oversee all regional commissions in the country.
