By Esther Agbo

The Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has called on the government to reduce the cost of governance.

This appeal was made during the 16th annual lecture series, titled “Nigeria’s Economic Policies: Effects, Challenges, and Strategies for Sustainable Economic Stability,” held recently in Lagos.

The former chairman of the Lagos chapter of NIQS, Olujide Oke emphasized the necessity of reviewing governance costs.

He stated, He said, “Reducing unnecessary spending is crucial to allocating resources effectively. We need to cut down on ostentatious living and excessive spending by our officials.

This will enable us to redirect funds towards creating value and investing in infrastructure and capital projects.

“I urge the young generation to take advantage of opportunities despite the economic challenges. Don’t let the economic situation hold you back. Please take advantage, and do not say that because the economy is bad, there are ways to make a positive impact and create value.”

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms,Taiwo Oyedele, in his keynote address echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for minimal governance costs.

He remarked, “The cost of governance needs to be as minimal as possible, especially because the government needs to set examples. If people are being asked to make sacrifices, the government also needs to make sacrifices.

“However, if everyone in the government today decides not to collect one naira, Nigeria will still be a poor country.”

Oyedele highlighted the unintended consequences of fiscal policies, including the rising cost of living and associated social risks. He advocated for a new national fiscal policy focused on private sector collaboration and improved policy coordination.

“On the way forward, I advocate for a new national fiscal policy that emphasises private sector collaboration and improved policy coordination. We must harness the innovative potential and efficiency of the private sector to enhance public projects and economic growth. Implementing evidence-based policies is crucial for maximising their effectiveness, as they are grounded in reliable data and research.

“Continuous outcomes, impact assessment, and monitoring are necessary to track the progress and success of these policies. Creating an enabling environment where businesses can thrive and economic activities are stimulated is fundamental to achieving sustainable growth.

“Furthermore, it is essential to ensure an equitable distribution of the tax burden through fair taxation to prevent any single group from being overburdened.

Responsible borrowing practices are crucial for maintaining manageable debt levels and ensuring efficient utilisation of borrowed funds. Sustainable spending practices are vital for maintaining fiscal health and avoiding deficits that could hinder long-term economic stability.”

The Chief Economist at SPM Professionals, Paul Alaje, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts for national growth and development. He noted, “As a nation, Nigeria has numerous opportunities and talents, but we struggle to leverage them globally.

Our challenge lies in changing our narrative. We know the employment figures, but the parameters for measuring employment have changed, making it seem like the numbers have improved when they have not.

“The methodology for measuring unemployment has shifted from those who work less than four hours a week to those who work less than one hour a week. This change has led to a misleading decrease in unemployment rates.

“We need to address our economic policies, focusing on indicators like growth, inflation, unemployment, and others. Our policies should speak to these indicators, and we need to work together to drive growth and development in Nigeria.”

The Concerned Kogi Citizens Forum has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure full implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the off-cycle Edo and Ondo elections.

The group’s convener, Isaiah Ijele, who made the call on Sunday in Abuja, said that his group was insisting that INEC should strictly follow the BVAS provisions in the forthcoming elections to tackle some irregularities in the process.

“The voice of the people must be heard and democracy must be preserved.

” We criticise the irregularities in the recent Kogi Governorship Election, where BVAS was not fully implemented in some local governments.

“We are also concerned about the use of professors as returning officers, so we are suggesting that individuals from diverse backgrounds should be considered for these roles.”

Ijele appealed to the National Assembly to intervene and ensure INEC’s unbiased implementation of the Electoral Act 2022, which allowed for electronic result transmission during elections.

He said that it was because of the non-usage of BVAS in some parts during the Kogi governorship election that created some judiciary issues.

“We remain confident that the Appeal and Supreme Courts will uphold justice for the people of Kogi and prioritise the essence of the case over technicalities, as witnessed at the tribunal,” Ijele added.

Ijele said that the Concerned Kogi Citizens Forum believed that the full implementation of BVAS during elections was crucial for ensuring the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

He, therefore, urged INEC to prioritise transparency and fairness in the upcoming elections.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has said that it did not suspend any member in any part of the state, as being reported by some online media.

APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Seye Oladejo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

“Our attention has been drawn to the fake news making the rounds about the purported suspension of thousands of party members in Alimosho Local Government by the State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

“We wish to state unequivocally that there’s no truth in the allegation,” he said.
According to him, Ojelabi remains committed to the unity of the party and acts that will engender peaceful co-existence of all members.

“APC as a political party, made up of members with different aspirations, naturally has its fair share of wrangling and suspicions that can always be resolved within the framework of its constitutional provisions.

“The chairman as an experienced individual in party politics and governance is always prepared to bend backwards to accommodate all opinions without trampling on the rights of others,” he said.

Oladejo said that the chairman, however, strongly believed that the interests of caucuses should not over-ride that of the party.

He said that the interest of the party remained cohesion among members and ensuring that party leaders act as checks to elected and appointed officials in government as regards service delivery.

Oladejo said: “There’s no provision in the party’s constitution that can be invoked for the chairman to unilaterally suspend a member.

“Members of the public are hereby advised to ignore statements that are designed to create an imaginary conflict and deliberate falsehood that are basically self-serving.”

Some party members in Alimosho had, during a protest at the party secretariat recently, attempted to manhandle and beat up the party chairman, before the intervention of security agents.

The protesters were allegedly angry that members of the caucus they belonged to were not recognised at a meeting convened by Ojelabi to reconcile disagreeing groups in the local government area.