Non-productive economy responsible for Nigeria’s development challenges — Ameachi

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Gov. Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers has blamed the country’s developmental challenges on the “non-productive nature of its economy”. He made the remark at the `Policy Dialogue on Oil and Gas Management in Federal Countries’, organised by the Nigeria Governors` Forum (NGF), in collaboration with the Forum of Federations of Canada.
“We are blessed by the fact that oil is a natural resources located in our country. Those who produce the oil are companies located outside Nigeria which is an indication that our economy is not in our hands but in their hands.’’ Ameachi, who is also the Chairman of the NGF, described as unfortunate, the rating of Nigeria among the poor countries in the world in spite of its natural endowment. He said the only way out of the nation’s challenges was to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the oil and gas resources, which was the country’s major revenue earner.
“The second step is the diversification of our economy by investing in agriculture, providing education and giving equal opportunity for all to have access to our resources.’’ Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta in a remark noted that in spite of the over 50 years’ activities in the oil and gas sector, Nigeria had continued to remain poor.
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