Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has announced plans by the Senate to host a comprehensive debate on the economy as part of its contribution to efforts towards getting the country out of recession.
Saraki also said the Senate will hold Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and her Budget and Planning counterpart, Udo Udoma as well as other managers of the economy accountable to Nigerians.
The Senate President said he was aware Nigerians were really suffering, but told journalists in Ilorin the major preoccupation of the Senate upon resumption in September 20, would be on finding solutions to the economic recession.
“We are going to have an exhaustive and comprehensive debate on fixing the country’s economy when we resume next week,” he said.
“Already, all the economic priority bills are being analysed and collated so that we can hit the ground running when we resume. We understand the pains that Nigerians are going through and we do not take this for granted.
“Additionally, the Senate intends to invite everybody involved in the management of the economy to address the Nigerian people through the parliament on the steps that are being taken to get us out of this mess,” he said
“We fully intend to hold all those involved in the economic management of the country accountable.
“However, we will do so in a manner that is transparent and beneficial to the country as a whole,” he said.
He added that it was important for the Legislature to start asking questions that will lead to plausible solutions.
“We need to ascertain our actual level of borrowing and what effect the devaluation of the naira has had on our economy.
“In every crisis, there is always an opportunity for positive reforms, in this regard, in order to solve this crisis, all hands must be on deck.
“Ideas should be sourced from all quarters, all arms of government, people of different political beliefs, from all socio-economic backgrounds and every part of Nigeria must work together at this time,” Mr. Saraki said.
He harped on the need for Nigeria to rally its best economic minds both from within the country and in the Diaspora in order to tackle the economic recession.
“This recession does not identify with any one party, we need to tap into the expertise of our best economic minds to come up with plans that both the executive and the legislature can evaluate and implement”, he said.
