The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress,
Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, promised entrepreneurs that, if elected, he would
reposition Nigeria for greater opportunities and development of its citizens.
He also promised to work towards enhancing the security
situation in the country to allow entrepreneurs to have an enabling environment
to do their businesses.
Tinubu made the pledge at a business luncheon with business
owners in Lagos.
The luncheon, entitled ‘Business forward’, was held at the
Wings located on Victoria Island.
On the issue of fuel subsidy, he said, if elected, he would
take bold decisions that would turn the nation’s economy around.
He said, “Nigeria will not continue to subsidise fuel
consumption in neighbouring countries.
“How can we be subsidising fuel consumption of Cameroon,
Niger, Benin Republic? No matter how long you protest, we are going to remove
the fuel subsidy.
“First, the primary responsibility of government is to
protect the lives, property and prosperity of its citizens.”
He said, as governor of Lagos State, fixing the difficult
security situation at that time was his first priority.
“Only after we secured the state and changed its reputation
for the better, could we embark on the economic reforms that have ultimately
produced the vibrant and active megacity of today.
“I am committed to securing Nigerians from violence and the
fear of such violence, terror, kidnapping and banditry have no place in the
society I envision,” he said.
Tinubu told his audience that upon assuming office as
president, he would move to implement several measures.
“We will increase the numbers of our military and
non-military security forces and specialist anti-terrorist battalions would be
established.
“Our Critical National Infrastructure Protection Plan will
deploy aerial and ground surveillance technology to survey the most dangerous
areas and secure our country’s vital national infrastructure and installations.
“We shall acquire and upgrade the tactical communications
and mobility of our troops and security personnel.
“We must also devote greater attention to the care and
welfare of our military and security forces who put themselves in harm’s way to
keep us safe.
“In summary, our
objective is to be able to out-manouvre, outwit and outflank the terrorists and
criminal groups. They want to defeat our democratic and good society. We shall
defeat their evil one.
“As we fight insecurity, we must deal with our economy at
the same time. We know that business and insecurity cannot thrive
side-by-side,” he said.
He added that his government would give room to allow the
private sector to thrive by not interfering in their various businesses but be
open for collaboration.
According to him, where the private sector is doing well,
his government would not interfere.
“Our guiding principle regarding economic policy shall be to
provide the right policy framework so that business can flourish.
“I want to do more than help existing businesses to exist.
We must create the space where new sectors and lines of business can open.
“We must grow this economy so that it can accommodate over
200 million people with a decent standard of living.
“Part of the virtuous economic cycle we seek to create is to
collaborate with the private sector to bring about massive infrastructural
renewal.
“This will enhance economic opportunities, lower business
cost and overheads while producing jobs that spur further growth and
development through increased consumer demand,” Tinubu said.
On their part, the business entrepreneurs at the luncheon
raised issues around education, healthcare development, electricity, investment
climate, multiple exchange rates and prevailing oil subsidy, asking how Tinubu
would deal with the challenges.
Responding, Tinubu said his aim was to develop local
manufacturing and value-added businesses, deepen consumer lending, increase
affordable housing and provide business owners with low-cost loans to modernise
operations and improve productivity.
“We shall not be afraid to regulate wisely. We cannot allow
instances like the collapse of FTX to happen here.
“We must protect businesses, consumer and investor
confidence in equal proportion and improve the nation’s power sector which is
critical to any economic development and strengthen the health sector,” Tinubu
said
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the APC presidential
candidate was joined by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Group Chief
Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, and a former House of
Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole.
Others were former commissioners in Lagos State, Yemi
Cardozo, Dele Alake and a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
NAN
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com