Drop Vacation Plans, Focus On People’s Problems, Vice President Tells National Economic Council Members

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged all National Economic Council (NEC) members to drop their vacation plans and focus on the issues of Nigerians.

Speaking virtually at the 138th meeting of NEC on Thursday, Shettima noted that all council members should actively cater to the demands of Nigerians.

"...As the year draws to a close, none of us in this chamber should anticipate a vacation. I tend to think so because upon our shoulders rests the weight of responsibilities from which we cannot escape. We are returning to be judged by the promises we made to be here," he said.

Shettima said President Bola Tinubu has shown that the challenges inherited by the administration can be overcome and the current administration has a clear plan to bring stability to the country.

"Each of us owes their constituents the scorecard of their stewardship in these few months of translating ideas into tangible actions. That's why we can't afford to fail, and the new year must be, for us, a timeout to reflect on how we have fared so far and what we must do differently to keep the hope of the nation alive," he added.

Shettima emphasized the need for people to feel the positive impact of fuel subsidy removal and forex unification. He noted that high inflation and cost of living are global challenges and Nigeria can overcome them through "realistic interventions."

Nigerians have been going through a tough time, especially after the Tinubu administration removed the fuel subsidy on May 29, which increased fuel and food prices across the country. The decision was made when the country was already going through a shortage of cash due to demonetization.

Two committees were formed on Thursday for economic affairs and crude oil theft and management.

Kwara Gov. Alh AbdulRahman AbdulRazak will head the economic affairs committee, while his Imo State counterpart, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, will chair the committee on crude oil theft and management.

The economic matters committee will draft a comprehensive roadmap to address the petroleum subsidy issue. Its primary responsibilities include developing frameworks for managing wage negotiations, exchange rate management, fiscal consolidation sustainability, liquidity management and inflation, as well as handling potential state of emergency on food production for 2024.