BY EVELYN DADU, ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has described as unfortunate the partisan slant given to a patriotic advice by Governor Godwin Obaseki to the Federal Government on its monetary policies.
It noted that all critical stakeholders in the Nigeria project are all involved in the urgent task of rescuing the economy of the nation and therefore warned that nobody should play the OSTRICH.
The Forum particularly noted as unhelpful the position of the Progressive Governors Forum to join the fray in the manner it did by its recent statement attacking the bona fides of Governor Obaseki, who merely warned the monetary authorities about the danger of uncontrolled use of Ways and Means, that is, the printing of Naira, to support government’s expenditure.
The PDP Governors Forum in a statement by its Director General, Hon. CID Maduabum noted that Governor Obaseki has a background in economics and finance and is a very responsible governor, who talks in a measured way.
The Forum further stressed that Obaseki’s advise, which by the way has been corroborated by none other than the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the international ratings agency FITCH, should be heeded rather than being crucified for sounding a note of caution.
The statement however said that there is no doubt the Federal government has been supporting the States in the area of agriculture, budget, refund of Federal Government executed projects by States and a few other areas of intervention.
It however questioned the motive of the CBN in its attempt to be vindictive and vengeful by recalling its loans to the States because of an informed advise by a Governor.
The PDP Governors Forum further states; “It is unfortunate that governance has plummeted to this level.
“The Federal government should plug financial leakages in the system and curb wasteful expenditure of billions of Naira on projects that can be executed by the private sector and save a lot of money in the process, thereby relying less on Ways and Means by the CBN, which brings pressure on the Naira with its inflationary consequences. “Inflation in Nigeria is currently at 18.2 %, the highest in recent years. We should all be concerned to find ways of stemming the tide.
