Buhari’s Economic Policies Archaic, Encourage Corruption – Ezekwesili

SAN FRANCISCO, April 30 (THEWILL) – A former Vice President of the World Bank African Region and social crusader, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili on Saturday observed that the current economic policies of President Muhammadu Buhari are similar to ones he promulgated during his first coming as Head of State in the 1980s.

The ex-Minister of Education, who spoke on Saturday at The Platform, a yearly public policy forum currently holding in Abuja, averred that the present economic policies of the Federal Government are “opaque and archaic”.

Noting that the present economic direction of the country encourages massive corruption and abuse of power, she declared that the policies are hurting poor Nigerians who they are intended to help.

According to her, “During the first coming of this our new president, a command and control economic system was adopted.

“During that era, inflation spiralled. During that era, jobs were lost. During that era, the economic growth level dipped.

“That era wasn't the best of eras in economic progress.

“What did not work in 1984 cannot possibly be a solution in a global economy that's much more integrated?” she asked.

The BringBackOurGirls champion accused the President of rehashing the same “command and control” approach towards economic issues, this she claimed has left the nation's economy in a bad state one year after his assumption of office.

According to her, “In over one year, the president is still holding to the premise that command and control is the only way out.

“In a year we have lost the single digits inflation status we maintained in past administrations.

While calling on the President and his team to consider the effect of their policies on the nation, the former Minister said: “The President should sit with his team and look at the economic evidence that speaks loudly. It's time to sit back and review the well-intended idea of command and control economic principle.

“He should do what the Americans say that if it ain't broken, don't fix it,” she declared.