In a chat with our correspondent, Ubani said, “The government should be sincere with the citizens. I’m very happy that pronouncements are being made to create a conducive environment for Nigerians. Let them follow the policy formulation with implementation, and then we’ll get there.”
He emphasised that the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration had caused much suffering for the people.
He faulted the government for not making proper plans to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal, which he said, caused the citizens to complain.
Ubani stated, “These are things that Nigerians expect to be done to cushion the harsh economic reality of that removal. The removal is really biting on the common masses. The sufferings are becoming too burdensome for the populace – both rich and poor, no one is actually exempted.
“The policy thrust of the government should be directed towards ensuring cushioning the effects of the hardship on Nigerians.
“Such reforms should have been up in place before the fuel subsidy removal. The removal of the fuel subsidy without a prior plan on how to ameliorate its effects brought about the reactions from the people.”
He commended the president’s provisional increase in the salaries of the junior Federal Government workers, adding that the FG should also consider Nigerians who work in the private sector and business owners.
Speaking on the erratic power supply in the country, Ubani said the government should make efforts to “rectify and rejuvenate” the situation.
He stated that if Tinubu can ensure an average of 20 hours of uninterrupted power supply, then “the economy will bounce back.”
Ubani, also a former second vice-president of the NBA, added that business owners use lots of money to purchase diesel or fuel to power their generating sets in order to keep their businesses running. And if such a step is not taken, businesses may crumble.
He charged the FG to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and to secure the lives and properties of the citizens.
The human rights lawyer said, “When investors are aware of the security situation in your country, they’ll come,” adding that the foreign investors are ready for open-door policies because they know “we have the market.”
“But why they are not coming is due to the lack of basic infrastructure and bad security situation in the cou try.”
He said once these two issues are looked into, investment opportunities will flood the country and provide jobs for the people.
Ubani called for the elimination of corruption in the country, saying, “The resources are available. Nigeria has much for everyone. But where few corner the treasury of the state and hoard the money away from the people, it creates a big problem in the system.”
He added that if the economic situation of the country is improved, there’ll be a lesser need to create correctional centres, as enough people would be gainfully employed.
