The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has
appealed to Nigerians to continue to be patient and understanding about
the current economic challenges in the country.
Dogara spoke in Enugu at a thanksgiving reception organised by the member
representing Nkanu West /Nkanu East Federal Contituency, Hon. Chukwuemeka
Ujam, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Turaki Hassan.
While acknowledging that times are hard as a result of dwindling oil
revenue, with many states unable to pay workers’ salaries, the Speaker
expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome these challenges in no time.
“We know that times are hard, especially in the nation. People are
complaining, some rightly. There is grumbling from all quarters about the
state of the economy,” he stated.
The Speaker maintained that the present economic situation calls for more
patience and sacrifice on the part of the people because according to him,
“it means things that used to be there will no longer be there and that
calls for greater understanding of the situation we found ourselves as a
country.”
He said: “From a time in this nation when we used to earn about $4 billion
monthly to now that I think we are reasonably earning $1 billion monthly.”
“However, I sincerely believe that we will not remain there and that is
what our calling as leaders is; to always rise above these challenges and
chart ways through which we can provide solutions to these myriad of
economic challenges bedeviling our nation.”
While expressing optimism about the future of the country and the present
crop of leaders, the Speaker added, “I am sure with credible leaders at
the national level we will get out of this in no time.”
The Speaker also called on people of the federal constituency to keep
supporting Hon. Ujam who, according to him, has shown commitment and
desire to represent his people well by sponsoring motions and bills in the
House.
“Once you have identified a member who is performing, continue to support
him.”
“If my constituents had not returned me to the House of Representatives
for the third time, there was no way I would have been the Speaker,” he
added.