Nigerians from different spheres of life in the South-East have blamed the parlous state of the nation’s economy on corruption and insecurity.
The people spoke in separate interviews by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to evaluate how the economy has fared as the country marks its 62nd independence anniversary.
An economist in Abakaliki, Mrs Joy Ekwe, expressed worry that corruption had become deep rooted in the country since it gained independence on Oct. 1, 1960.
Ekwe said that it was unfortunate that the social menace had become a way of life in the country.
She lamented that the canckerworm had “eaten up the fabrics of our national life”, while integrity no longer counts.
According to her, corruption has elevated mediocrity above merit and competence, while godfatherism, nepotism and favouritism have become the order of the day.
She said that the development had discouraged hardwork, with far more negative implication on the country’s economic development.
Ekwe also spoke on the impact of insecurity on the economy and urged government at all levels to deepen the fight against the phenomenon.
She said that winning the war against insecurity would put the country back on the path of sustainable economic growth and food sufficiency.
“If we must achieve food security, briefcase farmers should not be allowed to manage the distribution of farm inputs,” Ekwe said.
Also, an Abakaliki-based legal practitioner, Mr Chibuzor Onwe, said the widespread terrorism and banditry had made the country unsafe for foreign investors.
“Insecurity has drastically slowed down socio-economic development of the county,” he said..
Onwe argued that the situation also discouraged investment in all sectors of the country’s economy.
He said: “The nation has come of age, 62 years is not a joke.
“It is high time Nigerians collectively fought corruption to a standstill and uphold the principle of honesty and integrity as a way of life.”
A farmer, Mr Okereke Mbe, said that he could no longer engage in agriculture due to the attacks on farmers by suspected herders in his area.
“Yes, even in my community, many farmers have abandoned farming because of incessant attacks.
A political analyst, Mr George Nworie, urged the federal and state governments as well as the citizenry to embrace the spirit of doing the right thing at the right time in order to return the country to the path of sustainable growth and development.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Enugu State, Mr Virginus Nwobodo, said that development in post-independent Nigeria had been very slow and uninspiring.
“Our development as a nation has been sluggish, when I say sluggish, I mean that the pace is below the expectations of Nigerians.
“Looking at our democracy over the years, one cannot say that we are practicing true democracy because the gap between the leaders and the led is still very wide.
“Class consciousness still exists and our leaders are not committed to addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit,” Nwobodo said.
He said that the colonial administration provided public utilities like roads, housing and other amenities that made life easier for the people.
“In those days, once you are employed, there is official quarters ready for you.
“But today, Nigerians are still grappling with infrastructure deficit at all levels,” he said.
The labour leader said that under the colonial system, successive administrations improved on the performance of their predecessors, with a strong policy of continuity in governance.
“Today, every administration wants to initiate its own project and abandon what the previous government initiated but could not complete.
“That is why we have a lot of abandoned projects nationwide, some of which are very important projects,” Nwobodo said.
According to him, these projects were abandoned because successive administrations were not interested in completing them, no matter how important they might be.
“Every administration wants to start its own project. Everybody wants to say this is my project, I started it and all that,” he said.
He underscored the need for continuity in governance, especially with projects that impact positively on the people.
Nwobodo said that the present administration had done well in the area of continuing and completing projects initiated by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He spoke further on the security challenges facing the country and their impact on the economy.
“It is the worst ever. I must say that this particular administration has not met the expectations of many Nigerians in the area of security.
“In fact, everything just got worse,” Nwobodo said.
He said that the independence anniversary should be used to appreciate the Nigerian workers
“This year’s celebration should be dedicated to the Nigerian workers in the military, para-military, public and private sectors and those in informal sector of the economy,” he said.
He charged the nation’s political leaders to do more to ensure greater unity and economic development in the country.
Also, an Enugu-based rights activist, Mr Olu Omotayo, said that the country was still grappling with multiple developmental challenges, 62 years after gaining independence.
“Technologically, we are not yet there but we just believe that with time things will improve.
“The Federal Government has also been battling with the issue of insecurity which is a serious threat to our democracy,” Omotayo said.
According to him, it is only when the country has adequate security that infrastructure can be secured.
“Even if you put infrastructure in place, it will be vandalised without security,” he said.
The state Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Mr Ben Asogwa, also said that the country had become deeply fragmented under the present administration.
“Now we have more cracks, divisions than we ever had in the history of Nigeria,” Asogwa said.
He regretted that country had not fared well economically, especially from the Second Republic to date.
He said that it was unfortunate thay in the 21st Century, the country still depended on imported petroleum products for its local consumption, whereas the products were locally refined as far back as the 1960s.
“It is painful that while other countries are developing, we don’t seem to be developing,” Asogwa said.
In Abia, a business coach, Mr Godson Adiele, said that the economy was strong and prosperous immediately after the country gained independence due to the prevailing government policies.
Adiele said that the economic policies supported productivity, competitive growth along regional line and job creation in the country.
He, however, regretted that with the emergence of new governments, the economy began to nosedive due to poor policy implementation and ever-changing economic policies.
He advocated effective implemention of policies that encourage diversification of the economy, support production, increased patronage of local products and eliminate multiple taxation.
He said that government at all levels should initiate policies that promote the ease of doing business in order to encourage investment and enable small businesses to thrive.
“Our passion for foreign products over the years has helped to deplete our economy.
“Nigerians must understand that the one you patronise you empower and we have built other economies to the detriment of ours.
“Nigerians now transact their businesses at home in dollars, which is not our legal tender.
“Unfortunately, this has resulted in the decrease in the purchasing power of the naira,” Adiele said.
