After removing petroleum subsidies and floating the Naira, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has said proceeds from the economic reforms have been diverted by government officials under the watch of President Bola Tinubu
The Centre stated that the failure of Tinubu’s administration to address the economic hardships in the country has widened the gap between the rich and the poor, noting that promises made under the Renewed Hope Agenda have remained unfulfilled, “with resources allocated for personal gain instead of national development.”
“The leaders have cornered all the resources for their personal gain as there is nothing to show for the increased resources available to the government. Promises of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu era had remained pipe dreams and none has been fulfilled,” CJI noted on February 20, while commemorating World Social Justice Day.
Under the theme “Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances,” the 2024 World Day of Social Justice stresses the urgency of confronting increasing poverty, hunger, and deteriorating living conditions amidst rising inflation.
Eze Onyekpere, the Lead Director of CSJ said; “It is alarming, that in the face of the current hardship plaguing the nation, the President still maintains a bloated retinue of staff with increased personnel cost, while the legislators went on a spending spree in the procurement of SUVs worth 160 million each for its members.
Furthermore, Onyekepere criticised the three arms of government for “not demonstrating any sense of patriotism to bridge the gap of injustice, inequality, and poverty in the country.”
He called on the government at all levels to undertake urgent measures to alleviate hardships by reducing the cost of governance, revamping the economic team and establishing social welfare programmes.
“It is not too late for the Federal Government to review and course correct on its stringent policies such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira which has resulted in run-away inflation and high cost of living,” he added.
