Emmanuel OchayiStakeholders have urged the Federal Government to take decisive actions to curb the soaring inflation rates in the country, emphasizing the necessity of immediate policy implementations to alleviate financial strain on citizens and maintain economic stability.
In an interview with Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, stressed the urgency of addressing the high cost of living. He stated, “The Federal Government must prioritize tackling the issue of rising prices, particularly for necessities such as food, cooking gas, and energy.”
Yusuf highlighted the importance of direct state intervention to lower the prices of essential items, suggesting fiscal incentives for producers to reduce production costs. He proposed engaging stakeholders like flour millers to ascertain necessary measures for cost reduction.
Highlighting the impact of inadequate rice supplies, Yusuf recommended importing rice paddies to support local mills until domestic production could meet demand. He also advocated for lowering energy costs, particularly for renewable sources and conversion to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), as a viable alternative for vehicle fuel.
Furthermore, Yusuf emphasized the importance of collaboration with cooperatives, suggesting government funding to support organized repayment mechanisms within these groups.
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Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Joshua Bamfo, Partner and Global Transfer Pricing Head at Andersen, emphasized the need for policies aimed at lifting people out of poverty and ensuring access to essential goods. He emphasized sustained economic growth as a crucial factor in achieving these objectives.
Bamfo stressed the necessity of policy formulations aligned with the overarching goal of poverty alleviation and sustained economic progress.
Both stakeholders underscored the importance of a comprehensive approach, calling for concerted efforts from all levels of government to address inflation and its adverse effects on the populace. They urged policymakers to consider fundamental economic principles in policy configurations and emphasized the need for holistic solutions to the prevailing economic challenges.
In response to these calls, the government faces mounting pressure to implement targeted policies aimed at curbing inflation, fostering economic growth, and alleviating financial burdens on citizens.
