Mr Babatunde Olarenwaju, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Lagos East Senatorial District, has urged President Bola Tinubu to strengthen his administration’s economic reforms to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
Olarenwaju made the call in an interview with the news reporters in Lagos, on Friday.
He acknowledged the administration’s efforts to reposition the economy, but said more needed to be done to address the difficulties confronting households.
The ADC candidate said the government should pay greater attention to the gap between some of the positive economic indicators highlighted by the President and the everyday experiences of citizens.
According to him, the reported improvement in economic indicators would have greater meaning if Nigerians could also experience corresponding reductions in the cost of food, transportation, energy and other essential commodities.
“The President spoke during the Independence Day about economic growth, declining inflation, improved foreign exchange stability and increased non-oil exports, but the priority should now be to ensure that these improvements are reflected in the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Olarenwaju said this current administration should place greater emphasis on how these developments were affecting household purchasing power and the capacity of businesses to operate sustainably.
He said farmers needed improved access to affordable inputs, financing, mechanisation, storage and transportation to increase food production and reduce pressure on food prices.
“Government must continue to strengthen measures that will enable farmers to produce more at lower costs, Increased agricultural production remains essential to reducing food prices and improving food security,” he said.
The ADC candidate also called for stronger support for traders and small businesses, noting that rising operating costs, transportation expenses and energy prices continued to pose challenges to many enterprises.
Olarenwaju urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to improve reliability, expand access to metering and ensure that electricity pricing remains responsive to the economic realities of households and businesses.
He said reliable electricity was essential to reducing production costs, supporting industries and creating employment opportunities.
Olarenwaju expressed concern about the cost of cooking gas and other energy sources, urging the government to pursue measures that would make domestic energy more affordable and accessible to Nigerians.
“Energy is central to the wellbeing of families and the productivity of businesses, Government should continue to explore practical measures that will reduce the burden of energy costs on households and enterprises,” he said.
ADC candidate urged the administration to sustain efforts against kidnapping, banditry and other forms of insecurity, stressing that economic development could only be meaningful when citizens c live, work and travel safely.
He said farmers, particularly, needed adequate security to enable them to cultivate their farms without fear and to contribute effectively to the nation’s food supply.
Olarenwaju said the President’s declaration that the country had moved from the reform phase toward shared prosperity should be matched with stronger implementation of policies capable of improving household welfare.
“The next phase should focus on making prosperity tangible and inclusive, Nigerians should be able to see the impact of economic reforms in their homes, businesses, farms, schools and communities,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to listen more closely to citizens, strengthen areas where current policies were producing difficulties and sustain dialogue with stakeholders across different sectors.
The ADC candidate said the government still had an opportunity to consolidate its economic policies by placing greater emphasis on affordability, employment, food security, reliable electricity, energy access and public safety.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain engaged in the democratic process and assess government policies based on their impact on citizens and communities.
Olarenwaju urged political leaders across the country to work collectively toward building an economy that provides opportunities for all citizens.