The Senate President, Bukol Saraki, in his welcome speech at the resumption of plenary, called on the Federal Government to focus on ending the hunger in the land.
According to Premium Times, Saraki also said Nigerians are hungry and they do not want to know who caused the recession.
The Senate President said the debate on the economic recession should be free of partisan sentiments and blames.
Saraki said “It is clear to me that when people are desperately hungry, what they need is leadership with a clear vision; leadership whose daily actions reflect the urgency of the people’s condition.
“Therefore, our response to the current challenge must be dictated by the urgency of the hardship that the people suffer on a daily basis.
“I say this to urge us that we must have an urgent debate on the way forward, but in having this debate, we must resist the temptation of drowning the debate with apportioning blames that will neither bring solutions nor reduce the cost of food in the market.
“Rather, this debate must be solution-driven. It must be people-oriented and less political.”
The Senate President also assured Nigerians that the country will bounce back, adding that patience is needed.
He said “I bring a message of hope not despair because once again, Nigeria shall overcome. Let no one writes us off. We have done it before, we will do it again.
“The world has come to know Nigeria as a people who have formed a habit of proving naysayers wrong and turning adversity into triumph.
“Many times, experts have quipped that Nigeria is finished but we come back stronger. This occasion will not be any different, but it will not happen by a slogan! No, it will take positive leadership and unity.”
He also said the lawmakers have their role to play to ensure that laws that will improve lives will be passed.
Saraki also called on the Federal Government to dialogue with militants in the Niger Delta, so the situation in the oil rich region will not be escalated.
He further gave some guidelines on how the economy can be restored, adding that “The Federal Government must consider tweaking the pension funds policy within international best practice safeguards to accommodate investment in infrastructure and mortgages.
“The government and the Central Bank of Nigeria must agree on a policy of monetary easing to stimulate the economy and harmonise monetary and fiscal policy until economic recovery is attained.
“The Federal Government must retool its export promotion policy scheme with export incentives such as the resumption of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and introduce export financing initiatives.”
The Senate President also suggested that Nigeria should consider selling its stakes in joint ventures with oil majors.
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