* Calls for unbanning Twitter*
ActionAid Nigeria has called on the federal government to adopt the principles of fiscal federalism as a practical approach to solving the challenges governments at all levels are facing in the generation , distribution of income, efficient, effective allocation of resources, and economic stability.
This is as the General Assembly Members of ActionAid Nigeria added that the public fiscal deficit, financed mostly by domestic and foreign borrowings, widened with high debt service payments, estimated at more than half of federally collected revenues has posed a major fiscal risk to Nigeria’s economy.
This was contained in the statement Issued by the General Assembly Members of ActionAid Nigeria, after a virtual meeting to review the State of the Nation on the 25th day of September 2021
“As an organisation working to end poverty, ActionAid Nigeria believes that the process of achieving its mandate requires the functionality of every instrument of government.
“We have reviewed developments in government, politics, the economy, and security during the last quarter, particularly as it affects vulnerable groups: women, children, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and youths and have decided to share our views and recommendations on the way forward:
It noted that Nigeria is faced with an unprecedented wave of different but overlapping security crises, ranging from kidnapping to extremist insurgencies, saying that almost every corner of the country has been hit by violence and crime.
The statement which was co-signed by Jummai Umar-Ajijola, PhD: Chairperson, Imoni Mac Amarere, Vice Chairperson, James Dyesle Milaham, Treasurer and the Convener, Yusuf Ogwuzebe, noted that the growing insecurity has been closely linked to the high rate of poverty in the country.
It noted with concern that Medical Doctors across the country have embarked on strike for the fourth time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some of them complaining of being owed salaries for several months.
“Many Nigerian media outlets are reporting that patients, some with COVID-19 symptoms are being turned away at short-staffed hospitals.
“The ongoing Review of the 1999 Constitution offers the opportunity for Nigerians to shape the constitution with the goal that it reflects the desires and aspirations of the citizens. Some of the provisions to be considered vital for the uplifting of the status of citizens include Socio-Economic and Cultural Rights as contained in Chapter 2 of The constitution, issues of Gender Equality and a thorough reform of the Nigeria Police.
“The Twitter ban by the Federal Government has had severe economic costs. It is a step backwards for civic engagements and threatens the civic space which has continued to shrink in recent years.
