The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria, FFDCN, has made a case for the inclusion of all major stakeholders in Nigeria whenever any consultations for economic policy by the IMF and the World Bank are made in the country.
This was contained in a 16-point communiqué issued by the forum at the end of its third national conference with the theme “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria,” which was held in Abuja, the country’s capital, at the beginning of the week.
According to the former deputy governors after the two-day programme, every effort should be made to ensure that funds from external borrowings by the Federal Government and sub-national governments should be judiciously applied to productive activities and public infrastructure development with an impact on citizens’ standard of living.
They called for the enactment of laws at Federal and state levels that will compel successive governments to complete existing projects as they embark on new ones.
Furthermore, they also called for the amendment of the Public Procurement Act to pave the way for stiffer punishment against contract defaulters.
While appraising the current challenges of the country, FFDGN commended the Federal Government on its efforts to combat the scourge of food insecurity, as well as for the ongoing efforts and achievements in the fight against insecurity.
They called on the Nigerian government to continue to provide all necessary support to the military and other security agencies to ensure adequate security for Nigerians, including strengthening the military’s initiative in complementing national food production.
In his closing remarks, the convener of the 3rd National Conference, Chris Akomas, lauded the participants as well as the resource persons for their presentations, which he acknowledged to be rich and innovative saying they have made very serious inputs, contributions, and key suggestions, which will be impactful as well as will change and turn things around.
