President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to ensure that the benefits of his administration’s economic reforms are felt directly by Nigerians.
Tinubu made the call during a meeting with Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma, in Lagos on Sunday.
Uzodinma, who spoke with journalists after the meeting, said he had travelled to Lagos to brief the President on developments in the country during his recent working visit to Europe.
He described the meeting with Tinubu as productive, saying discussions centred on the progress of the administration’s reforms and efforts by governors to communicate their impact to citizens.
According to the governor, the Progressive Governors Forum is preparing to intensify its engagement with Nigerians on the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration.
“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,” Uzodinma said.
Uzodinma said the emphasis of the administration’s reform programme was gradually moving beyond policy implementation to ensuring that citizens benefit from the changes.
He said governors had taken note of Tinubu’s directive and would work towards translating the reforms into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
“We have already taken cue from that broadcast, and that is exactly what we are doing. The reform policy has moved from implementation to ensuring that the people of Nigeria get the dividends of the reform policy itself,” he said.
The Imo governor cited the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as one area where Nigerians should experience the effect of the reforms.
He argued that lower operating costs arising from the use of CNG should translate into cheaper transport fares for commuters.
Uzodinma said transport operators and passengers both had roles to play in ensuring that the savings associated with CNG were reflected in transportation costs.
“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,” he said.
He added that state governments would not be satisfied with merely commending the Federal Government’s reforms but would work to ensure that their effects reached ordinary citizens.
“So we are not going to only sit here and sing the songs of reform. We are going to make sure that the benefits,” he said.
Uzodinma Links Imo’s Finances To Tinubu Reforms
Uzodinma also pointed to the financial position of Imo State as an example of what he described as the positive effect of the Federal Government’s economic policies on states.
Also Read: Former-APC women leader found killed in Bauchi
The governor recalled that when he assumed office in 2021, the state faced financial difficulties after meeting its salary obligations.
He said the situation had since changed, claiming that Imo could now pay workers’ salaries while also funding development projects.
“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,” Uzodinma said.
He added that Imo was not the only state experiencing what he described as improved financial capacity, noting that governors across the country were undertaking various projects.
“Today, we pay salaries as we do and we have money to do all the achievements that we have recorded in the state. 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 said.
Uzodinma expressed appreciation to Tinubu for the reforms and said governors had been given the responsibility of ensuring that the ultimate beneficiaries of the policies were Nigerians.
“We are grateful to Mr. President and his reform policies. And we are charged again to ensure the real benefits, that the real beneficiaries of the reform policy are the people. That the masses will feel the impact. That these policies, the dividends, should be impactful,” he added.