EDITORIAL: Welcome Back To Our Readers

WE wish our readers a very fulfilled new year. They have had a well-earned end of the year break and must now face a new year which will be decisive for a society in a state of flux. 

Recent events give a glimpse of renewed vigour in some areas. The government is to be commended for breaking away from hitherto established lethargy and taking a decisive anti-corruption position. This should be encouraged for corruption continues to be a hinderance to sustainable development. We are still at the stage of allegations, nevertheless, the prompt response to perceptions of corruption charges will be positive for the country’s risk analyses. There must be no wavering on the corruption front and those seeking exceptions must be ignored.

The recent signal to take a more decisive thrust on the costs of governance smirks of tokenism. This is unfortunate.  A progressive political party should see fiscal stability as the best way to attain shared prosperity and sustainable development. In this new year, we urge the federal government to have a considered look and explore the feasibility of implementing the recommendations of the Oronsaye report on the costs of the machinery of the government.

The committee has done the heavy lifting and the report should be adopted for implementation in line with current reality.  The government has increased the percentage of funds allocated for capital expenditure; however, considering inflation and exchange rate adjusted, this is not a decisive gain, we must still get to grips with making holistic cuts in the costs of government. In this way, the pain of the continuing sacrifices will be more evenly shared. Right now, the least protected social sectors are disproportionately shouldering the pain. 

2024 should also see a greater commitment to the progressive cause and the government’s stated objective to build a social market economy.  We wish all a happy new year.