By Brown Chimezie
Moved by the recent economic downturn in the country, the Managing Director of Niger Optical eye clinic, Igwe Martins Eze, has blamed the ugly trend on poor economic policies engendered by past and present Nigerian leaders.
In a statement, Igwe Martins who is also the paramount ruler of Igbo-Ukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State said unfavourable trade terms, which resulted in the devaluation of the naira in the international market has also worsened inflation and impoverished Nigerians.
He said unless the Federal Government takes a drastic step to address the problem, the country’s goal of diversifying its economy may end up as mere charade. “Every year, budgets are made but are hardly implemented. That is why poverty is on the increase and development of key infrastructure like roads and bridges are pushed to the background.”
While lamenting the poor standard of living, which has taken its toll on the elderly and people in the rural areas, the monarch explained that people in rural areas, especially the elderly, go through hell to make ends meet.
He called on both state and Federal Government to evolve welfare package in form of soft loan to alleviate the suffering. On the N5,000 stipend being paid to vulnerable unemployed Nigerians, the monarch said the impact was yet to be felt by majority of the people, adding that the exercise should be hastened so as to ensure that the help reaches other Nigerians on time.
While commending the Federal Government on security, the monarch said foreign investors are gradually returning and with time, Nigeria will take its place among the committee of nations. On how the country can recover from its economic woes, Igwe Martins urged the Federal Government to stop the devaluation of the naira. He said if this measure is taken, the high rate of inflation will be curtailed.