Daud Olatunji
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tasked governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress with ensuring that Nigerians feel the direct impact of his administration’s economic reforms, particularly amid continuing concerns over the cost of living.
Tinubu gave the directive on Sunday when he met with the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, in Lagos.
The meeting focused on developments in the country, the implementation of the Federal Government’s reforms and efforts by the governors to ensure that the benefits of the policies get to ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Uzodimma said the President had made it clear that the reform agenda must now move beyond implementation and communication to delivering tangible benefits to the people.
He said the governors were expected to ensure that Nigerians became the real beneficiaries of the policies.
Uzodimma stated, “The reform policy has moved from implementation to ensuring that the people of Nigeria get the dividends of the reform policy itself.
“So, the governors have moved on to ensure that the benefits, for instance, you will agree with me that the advantage of having CNG buses sent to Nigerians through the various agents, that the savings made should not be as huge as it occurred now.
“The transporters and commuters should also be responsible in ensuring that since the cost of transportation has been reduced by the introduction of CNG, that they should now also reduce the fare they charge passengers. That way, it becomes a win-win situation.”
The governor’s comments came against the backdrop of persistent public concerns over transportation costs and the wider impact of economic reforms on household finances.
Uzodimma said the APC governors would no longer be content with explaining or celebrating the reforms, insisting that the policies must produce visible results for the masses.
“So we are not going to only sit here and sing the songs of reform. We are going to make sure that the benefits, for instance, me, myself,” he said.
He added that the governors had been directed to ensure that “the real beneficiaries of the reform policy are the people” and that “the masses will feel the impact.”
Uzodimma also said the President had been briefed on developments in the country during his absence and on efforts by APC governors to communicate the achievements and policies of his administration to Nigerians.
“We had a very quality conversation, and he is now aware of the things that happened while he was away and the efforts of the Governors of Progressive Forum in making sure that Nigerians are properly aware of the achievements of his government and the policies,” he said.
The Imo governor disclosed that the governors had also taken their cue from Tinubu’s recent national broadcast and would intensify their campaign to explain the administration’s policies and achievements to Nigerians.
He said the next phase of the reform agenda should focus on ensuring that economic gains translate into improved living conditions.
‘States now have more resources’
Uzodimma also defended the economic reforms, claiming that they had improved the financial position of state governments and enabled them to pay salaries while executing projects.
Reflecting on his experience since becoming governor, he said the financial situation of states was previously challenging, particularly after meeting salary obligations.
He said, “In 2021, I became the Governor without President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his reform policies. It was difficult at the end of every month after paying salaries. That is, if we managed to pay salaries, to have money to run the state.
“Today, we pay salaries as we do and we have money to do all the achievements that we have recorded in the state.”
According to him, the situation was not peculiar to Imo, claiming that governors across the country were now executing various projects.
“It is not only in my state. Every other state. Most of our Governors are very active, with a lot of projects here and there,” he added.
However, Uzodimma acknowledged that the ultimate test of the reforms would be their impact on ordinary Nigerians.
He said the governors were “grateful” to Tinubu for the reforms but had been charged to ensure that the dividends reached the people.
“The masses will feel the impact. That these policies, the dividends, should be impactful,” he stressed.
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