As 2017 winds down there are mixed feelings over the development process in Nigeria. While many point at some positive indicators, others are skeptical about any real success, which is best measured by impact on the citizenry. For the benefit of the economists and policy planners, what gap(s) did you notice in the country’s development process this year?
ABIMBOLA AKOSILE
* On a peoples’ level, the development missing gaps include merit, honesty and lack of sense of patriotism, while on a structural level, there is lack of equitable distribution and harnessing of our resources.
– Barrister D. Y. N. Maigari, Abuja
* Our economy cum development is growing at less than snail rate. Until we have reliable records of how much money or real cash is actually in circulation or spent nationwide our chances of genuine growth, development and maturity will remain hanging in the balance or obscure especially with our unfortunate population explosion. It’s apt time for our leadership to put truth and honesty first and foremost. A stitch in time saves nine if not the whole ten.
– Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State
* We have lack of’ accountability, corruption, greed, no employment, and yet those employed are being dismissed, retired etc? Unless leaders lead by example with the fear of God development will continue to be on paper.
– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna
* As the year runs down the progress we made in exit from recession was good for us, despite the fact that we are yet to feel the gains of the exit. This year, government has recovered a lot of money from the never-do-well leaders through the Whistleblower policy that government introduced recently. The same government has also done well on security; this government didn’t leave any stone unturned to ginger farmers with loans as we are diversifying from oils to agriculture.
– Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State
* The gaps in Nigeria’s development process is the poor implementation of the developmental policy with the 2017 budget, which has a negative effect on the living standard of an average citizen with the different economic issues and problems of low purchasing power. The various demands for goods and services of an average citizen reflect in the dwindling money in the society. Different activities are only in the agricultural, health and educational sectors only. The minimum wage has been overdue to enable an average civil servant in the country gain an improved standard of living. There are few social amenities and economic activities that will provoke industrial revolutions, including the poor banking systems of lending to customers and poor investment in capital projects. Both the State and the Federal Governments are neglecting industries which culminate in the high rate of unemployment, poor governance and lack of political power to introduce social welfare packages, policy on development and enabling environment for business to thrive. There are urgent needs to have a research score-card and scientific analysis, through the oral interviews of different groups, questionnaires and comparison to the electoral campaign promises and the populace demands in Nigeria.
– Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja
* I see too much concentration on corruption as the development gap in Nigeria’s development process as the year 2017 winds down. Good enough as there is improvement in agriculture; but what else? All other things are as they are or even worse. To fight corruption, it is not the programme they had in the campaign promises they made to Nigerians. In fact, those who are praising this regime, it’s not for anything but their personal love for President Muhammadu Buhari.
– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
* I believe this government has done well in finding solution for the recession they met when the past government emptied the national treasury before they left office, which caused the recession. They need commendation despite that we are yet to feel the impact.
– Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State
* The gaps in Nigeria’s development process vary, although I think these gaps aren’t peculiar to Nigeria as an African country south of the Sahara. Government has to be on alert to avoid policy somersaults. Take, for example, the issue of toll-gates on our major highways. When these toll-gates were dismantled, government posited then that they had become havens for the criminally-minded, so why the desire to bring them back? I also feel our development process will be smoother if this government stops the buck-passing game.
– Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Apo, Abuja
* Insecurity, unemployment, political maneuvers, and disunity have prevented full leadership focus and economic development. The solution is to reverse the trend through patriotic leadership. We must also connect our population, demand, supply, price e.t.c forces to discourage smuggling but instead convert their advantages to our collective benefit. This economy in the current dispensation is biting the citizens quite harshly and needs urgent attentions now.
– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State
* The problem we do not plan ahead or fail to implement the things planned. I remember years ago it was being spoken about how we need to improve our transmission infrastructure. The then government said even if Nigeria produces 5000 megawatts of electricity, our transmission infrastructure cannot take the load. The then government also said for every amount of electricity produced, half is lost due to the bad transmission and distribution infrastructure. Yet today we are still talking about these same megawatts without doing anything to expand the capacity of the transmission infrastructure. When we were investing billions of dollars on generation plants didn’t we realise that the transmission infrastructure would need to grow side by side with the generation? Our lack of strategic planning is always going to be an Achilles heel, if we don’t start producing accountable leadership.
– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
* For me, the missing gap is the slow pace of development especially when it comes to physical infrastructure and the lack of political will by government to implement and enforce relevant policies. If the rail form of transportation is made attractive and affordable enough, the pressure will reduce on poor road networks and the regular blackmail by oil marketers and tankers associations will vanish. We need a faster rate of development. Also, the anti-corruption fight must be above board and comprehensive; no more sacred cows in and out of government!
– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State
THE RESPONSE
Top gap: Poor policy implementation, somersaults
Second: Very slow pace of nationwide devt
Third: Non-equitable distribution of resources
Radical tip: Justify priority focus on corruption!
Total no of respondents: 11
Male: 9
Female: 2
Highest location: Lagos (4)
Next Week: Your Devt Expectations for Yuletide Period?
Although citizens’ preferences vary from region to region or from different locations around the country, many Nigerians are not averse to regular uninterrupted power supply during the coming festive period of Christmas or Yuletide. Some want roads rehabilitated during the current dry season, some want workers salaries to be paid fully, while others want a greater clampdown on corruption and crime. In your own view, which development expectation do you want governments to fulfil in the coming Yuletide period, and why? Â
Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (December 14 & Monday, December 18) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, December 21
