Expert sets economic, political agenda for President-elect

Financial expert and management consultant, Dr Boniface Chizea has urged the President-elect, General Muhamadu Buhahi (rtd), to make the development of the economy a key priority of his administration.
This is even as he also advocated the prioritization of the release of the Chibok girls from insurgents’ captivity as a strategic option to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far in the fight against insurgency and other threats to political stability of the country
Chizea, in what he called ‘Memo to the President Elect’, also lauded the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration in many areas of governance, particularly the economy, adding that it will be to the nation’s advantage if the new government continued the reforms in key sectors of the economy.
According to him, the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, immediate ending of the fuel subsidy regime and a more pro-active approach in managing the yearly budgets would go a long way in addressing major distortions in the economy and promote its inclusive growth.
The management consultant and seasoned banker explained that as a way of fast-tracking the economic transformation and creating enabling environment for socio-economic and political stability in the country, the President- elect, in the drive to fight corruption and restoring national discipline, should ensure that those appointed to political offices must be men and women of integrity rather those who would not add value to governance.
He said: “We are here thinking for some low hanging fruits you would wish to pluck for Nigeria in say your first hundred days in office. It would be impactful for insistence if you could bring back the Chibok girls now in captivity for almost one year. Can you imagine what it would do to your no nonsense reputation if you are able to do so within the first hundred days in office?
“The sentiments overseas are that the investment environment in Nigeria would be burnished if you crackdown on corruption thereby positively impacting on the cost and ease of doing business in the country. But one thing that would send a strong and definite message is the caliber of your appointees particularly those you put in charge of the key public facing ministries and departments.
“The mark of the leader that wants to succeed is to appoint those who will add real value as could be gleaned from their antecedents”, Chizea added.