Governor Alex Otti has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the economic policies initiated by President Bola Tinubu, expressing optimism that positive changes are on the horizon.

Speaking in Lagos on Sunday after paying a Christmas homage to the president, Mr Otti said the present administration inherited a challenging economic landscape.

He highlighted issues such as surging inflation, a substantial debt profile and high unemployment that Mr Tinubu faced upon taking office.

“Tinubu came in at a difficult time when inflation was close to 30 per cent, the national debt almost $40 billion, and unemployment close to 33.3 per cent. The president has been very courageous, unifying the exchange rate and removing fuel subsidy which had become a scam and costing the nation a lot of money,” Mr Otti said.

The governor said the positive aspects of these policies would soon transform into reducing poverty among over 60 per cent of the population.

“Those policies are good, but they come with their negative sides. They come with challenges for an economy where over 60 per cent of the population are living below the poverty line. So, it’s not going to be easy immediately, but I believe that if we are patient and if we go through the policies without compromising, over time, things will turn around,” Mr Otti explained.

The Abia governor commended Mr Tinubu for authorising the commencement of reconstruction work on the failed portion of the Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway.

Mr Otti reported progress in the reconstruction work and expressed confidence that the road would soon be opened for road users, significantly reducing travel time from Port Harcourt to Aba.

“Our partnership with the federal government to bring development to the people is at different levels, including through the National Economic Council and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

“After elections, politics takes the back seat, and governance takes pre-eminence. All we are doing is for the interest of Nigerians, and the federal government is also supporting us,” added Mr Otti. 

(NAN)