Nzeh Mike. Awka.
Stakeholders have condemne what they termed the wave of rising debts profile in Nigeria, saying such economic situation has contributed to impoverishing the citizenry.
Participants at a meeting, tagged, “Rising debt, poverty in Nigeria-special focus on S’Esat states”, organized by the Civil Rights Concern (CRC), for academicians, civil servants, Civil Society groups, National and state associations etc in one voice expressed their worry, arguing that they have gathered to brainstorm on the issues, with the aim of suggesting solutions to tackle the menace.
Besides, the stakeholders argued that instead of improving lives of the masses, there is abject poverty, sufferings and high level poverty among the citizenry occasioned by debts.
They also argued that rising debt profile should reduce poverty level through creation of employment, agricultural and infrastructural development, wondering why there is massive under employment, poverty etc across the country.
According to them, there is urgent need for civil societies to engage the government and make the political leaders to spend the loans taken for productive purposes, adding, ”
“The high rate of unemployment and underemployment was blamed on poor educational system that has refused to offer skills to graduates of different schools” ,they said.
Going further, they also expressed worry that Anambra State with a population of over six million people has 44.2% underemployed persons and 16.5% unemployed persons.
However, fielding questions from the Guardian, in Awka yesterday, the Executive Director, CRC, Okey Onyeka argued that while it’s discovered that povey is thriving in the country, our debts are also rising, insisting that Nigerians are visibly worried, especially members of the CSOs.
“We are asking the question, if rising debts and poverty is a souvenir to Nigerians. We are concerned that debt ought to spur capacity and improve productivity in Nigeria. But the truth is that the reverse is the case
“There are so much suffering in the state and the country while government debts are rising everyday. That is why we brought stakeholders from the academic sector, National and state associations etc to brainstorm around matters concerning debt.
“We are developing indicators to really assess government performance in the area of debt. Also, we are looking at financial data of the state, the poverty map and index, debts across the southeast zone, poverty index in southeast and across the country.
“If we do not see these things with our eyes in the states, or feel it, then the govt is it on the right track, but if not, we can call on governnent to improve.
“Also, we are looking at financial data of the states, the poverty map and index, debts across the southeast zone, poverty index in southeast and across the country”, Onyeka said.
Continuing, he added, “That’s why we in invited We stakeholders to talk around matters of debts financing particularly Anambra state. Debts should not only be sustainable in this state but also add value in terms of capacity to people such that our people would have good life. There are so much suffering in the state.
End.
