The Igbo
Awareness Coalition (IAC) has given its verdict on the All Progressive
Congress, APC led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on its one year
in office- improve on the economy.
In a
statement after its meeting in Enugu and signed by its president, Rev Emmanuel
Duru, the group said the President must realize that Nigerians are suffering as
hardship has overtaken the entire Nigerian landscape.
“Nigerians
have never had it so bad in the last five years as the cost of living is extremely
high as we groan over seeming endless hardship with no remedy in sight”
“One of
the campaign promises of the present administration is to improve the lives of Nigerians. That Nigerians have not seen in the last one year. We call for expedited action to
salvage the Nigerian citizenry from the trauma of the prevailing hardship in
the land”
The IAC
backed the de- regulation of the oil industry but advised the Federal
Government to go for full de- regulation where market forces will determine the
price of premium motor spirit (PMS).
The
group however gave kudos to President Buhari for sustaining the fight against
insurgency in the North East which has considerably reduced the activities of
the dreaded sect, Boko Haram. It also called on the President to focus more
attention in checkmating the activities of Fulani herdsmen who recently unleashed
deadly attack in Ukpabi- Nimbo community in Enugu State.
The IAC
opposed the proposed grazing routes and sites for Fulani herdsmen, stressing
that “such measure will not in any way put a stop to the lingering dispute
between the herdsmen/ farmers especially in the South East region".
“With the
bad blood now existing between the herdsmen/farmers, it will be unwise to concede
grazing sites to them in Igboland. We believe only a proactive step and measures
by the Federal Government will stop the heinous activities of the herdsmen before the matter snowball into a crisis beyond the magnitude
we can all handle”
The IAC
defended the anti- corruption fight of Mr. President, urging him not to relent.
“We
support the ongoing war against corruption by Mr. President. Those who say that
the anti corruption crusade by Mr. President is selective are missing the point
or are oblivious of the fact that it is mainly members of the opposition PDP
that were in power for 16 years had more access to public funds and
therefore prone to looting public funds”
"President
Buhari can only be judged if his anti corruption war is selective or not if he fails
to probe APC members in his government
who willfully indulge in corrupt practices".
The
inclusion of the second Niger Bridge in the 2016 Budget also attracted the attention of the group
as the IAC said the President should ensure the speedy completion of the project
which has become a political instrument for politicians to use for campaign
purposes during electioneering period.
The IAC pointed
out that the second Niger bridge is the key to improved economic activities in the
South East which is widely known as the hub of commercial activities in the country
and the West Africa sub region.
It also gave
kudos to the five south east ministers in Buhari’s government, commending them
for discharging their responsibilities effectively despite the late passage of
the 2016 Budget.
“The
Five South East Ministers are worthy sons of Igboland. We are pleased with some
of the innovations and contributions to the progress and success of the present administration
through their various ministries which is for the betterment of Igboland and the
nation at large".
The group
however called on South East governors to create an investor friendly
environment in the region in order to attract foreign investment and called on President Buhari to
consider the South East for future foreign direct investments.
It expressed
regret that the $60 billion dollar investments President Buhari attracted
during his recent visit to China, none of them were not sighted in the South
East.
PHOTO; PRESIDENT BUHARI
BY GRACE IGWEANYI
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