We’re not responsible for economic meltdown, FG tells Nigerians

The Federal Government, yesterday, told Nigerians that the current administration under President Muhammadu Buhari was not to be blamed for the current economic woes of the country.
It said that it was on a rescue mission to right the wrongs of the past governments. This came as the 36 state governors have agreed to cut down the size of their convoys, excessive travels amongst others to fight recession.

These were the highlights of the meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC chaired by Vice 
President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

 The Federal Government’s self exoneration is coming barely one week after the National Chairman of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun, admitted that some first missteps of the government upon assumption of office May 2015 affected the country’s economy negatively.

Similarly, Imo State governor, Mr. Rocahs Okoroacha, who is also an APC governor, it will be recalled, recently accepted blames for the economic downturn on behalf of APC.

But briefing State House Correspondents at the end of Wednesday meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr. Udo Udoma alongside Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and Anambra State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nkem Okeke absolved the Federal Government from blames, saying the APC government was on a rescue mission.

He said:

“We did not and are not responsible for the current economic situation we find ourselves. We are actually a rescue team, a team working to rescue Nigeria from the position we find ourselves in. 

Under President Buhari, we are determined to take Nigeria out of the situation. The situation started long before we came. As you know, oil price started falling from 2014 when it was about $110 and by January this year, it was below $30. Unfortunately, they did not save. 

We are determined to take Nigeria from a consuming nation to a producing nation. That is why we are developing an economy recovery plan and that is our focus. We are committed to success.”