Speaks on fuel subsidy, exchange rate, debt crisis
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has made his stand known on several economic issues Nigeria is currently battling.
The former vice-president, who spoke about his recovery plan for Nigeria at the Lagos Business School 2022 Alumni Day, which had in attendance prominent business executives, engaged the audience about economic issues, fuel subsidy, foreign exchange policy, debt crisis, power as well as the oil and gas sector.
Atiku, who used the occasion to pay tributes to the private sector for the successes recorded by the PDP between 1999 and 2007, started his session by giving a brief background with economic gains of the PDP between 1999 and 2007 including debt cancellation, privatization, banking reforms as well as effective working partnership with the private sector.
On the rising cost of governance, the presidential candidate said he would revisit the Oronsaye report and ensure the white paper report is in conformity with the principle of setting up the committee. He further said his privatisation plan is not to render people jobless but to ensure effective governance.
He described Nigerias debt situation as a mess, saying he would fix it if he is elected president.
The former vice president stated that he will reform the oil and gas sector by ensuring the right investors are engaged such that Nigerias crude production increases while ensuring the privatization of the three refineries in the country.
He equally promised to ensure proper funding for public education, saying that it should be enjoyed by children of the poor for free, and also promised to reposition the Universal Basic Education (UBE) set up in 1999 to its main purpose which is to reduce out-of-school children in the country.
When asked to comment on the autonomy of the CBN, Atiku said the current managers of the apex bank are taking a cue from the current administration which lacks direction.
