The Campaign for Democracy has called on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to reduce the current cost of government in view of the economic recession in the country.
The group made the call after rising from its National Administrative Council meeting in Abuja on Friday.
In a communiqué signed by its President, Ifeanyi Odili; and General Secretary, Abdulahi Jabi, which was made available to our correspondent on Saturday, the CD explained that the appeal became necessary as part of efforts to save Nigeria’s economy from total collapse.
“The group attributes the current socio-economic logjam in the country to undue salaries, emoluments and other office prerequisites attached to the officers in the executive and the legislative arms of government,” said.
“This is also encouraging massive looting of our monies and destructive corrupt practices by the political class.”
According to the group, it is worrisome that the budget of the National Assembly is enough to create jobs for millions of unemployed graduates roaming about in the streets culminating in prostitution, youth restiveness, agitations and all forms of social vices in the country.
“If Nigeria must therefore reclaim its lost glory, there is the urgent need to cut the cost of governance, otherwise the nation will be doomed in no distant time because the services being rendered by the members of the National Assembly to the nation are far below their take home pay,” it said.
The CD also called on the Federal Government to start the diversification of economy as it was an extremely economic suicide for the nation to depend solely on oil for its existence which is fast losing its worth in the international market.
It noted that Nigeria had great potential and enormous natural resources which, if adequately harnessed, would bring meaningful socio-economic development to the nation.
“But when there is concentration on a single resource base, as it has always been, the country will continue to witness further economy depression, and high rate of unemployment,” it warned.
