By Adeyinka Adeniran
The President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Dr Israel Akanji on Friday urged President Bola Tinubu to bring back tax holiday and other incentives to the industrial and business sectors, particularly in order to bring back all small and big industries that have left the country, saying it will generate massive employment.
Additionally, he called for a revisit the fuel subsidy removal by significantly reducing the current price of all fuel products in the country while also maintaining constant communication with the people of the country, to explain situations and answer questions being asked.
Noting that silence, when speech is needed, is not helpful for this generation, which constantly thrives on information, the Cleric insisted that all levels of government must seek to utilize their opportunities to address the people of the country.
The Cleric made the call in an open letter addressed to President Tinubu. The letter dated August 1st, was sighted by The Nation on Friday.
According to the NBC President, the government at all levels must be clearly seen as appealing to the people for more patience as they work assiduously to engage and ameliorate the hardship in the land, adding that the current palliatives being released can be likened to only a drop in the mighty ocean of the problems.
The letter reads in part, “The three tiers of the government have to accept and acknowledge the fact that there is hardship in the land and come up with realistic ways of leading the nation out of the problems at such a time as this.
“Government should be clearly seen to be appealing to the people of our country for more patience as they work assiduously to engage and ameliorate the hardship in the land. The current palliatives being released can be likened to only a drop in the mighty ocean of our problems.
“Government should further address the security situation in the country with a view to returning farmers to their farms in order to cub food insecurity in the country.
“Government at all levels should mobilise our teaming youths with incentives to make farming attractive before the rainy season ceases. They should also assist directly in bringing back the culture of storing farm produce in the silos nationwide.
“Government should create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the teaming, intelligent and energetic youths of our country.
“Government should bring tax holiday and other incentives to the industrial and business sectors, particularly in order to bring back all small and big industries that have left the country. This will generate massive employment.”
It added: “Government should revisit the fuel subsidy removal by significantly reducing the current price of all fuel products in the country.
“Government should direct the Apex bank to rescue the Naira from unending depreciation. No country allows her currency to fade away
“Government at all levels should follow the footsteps of the House of Representatives that reduced the wages of its members. FEC should also do the same if the number of the cabinet cannot be reduced.
“The lifestyles of our political office holders should reflect the reality on ground in the nation in the areas of emoluments and benefits.
“Governments at all levels should be carrying the traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stake holders along, before introducing policies that can trigger protests. Doing so after things have gone out of hand is an indication of repeating past mistakes.
“Government at all levels should facilitate dialogue with all stakeholders in order to douse the current tension in the country.
“Government should take all early warning signals of danger seriously. If the cries and calls of the masses had been respected and given the urgent attention they deserved, we are not likely to get to the level we now have reached.
“Government, through its numerous hands, must maintain constant communication with the people of our country, to explain situations and answer questions being asked. Silence, when speech is needed, is not helpful for our generation, which constantly thrives on information. Therefore, all levels of government must seek to utilize their opportunities to address the people of our country.
“Even now, it is expedient that Government should speak to the people. The people are eager to hear.
