The Nigerian Economy in 2010 and Beyond: Desiderata for Prosperity
Since the late 1960, constitutional, leadership, infrastructural, economic and electoral problems have been tough challenges for Nigeria. Presently, the real output expectation for 2010 is still a question unanswered. The leadership question creates uncertainties as the executive and legislative arms of the government are not prompt on the issue of interpretation and application of the constitution. Unfortunately, this has cast a shadow over the more important question of budget implementation or economic challenges of 2010. Incidentally, economic growth does not mean much if it does not positively affect the life of the common man on the streets. Therefore, the most important focus of economic managers should be the achievement of high level of general living standards. But important issues such as the national budget, economic challenges and government policies have been reduced to politics. Consequently, a basic misconception today is that “we have great ideas but implementation is the problem”. Nothing could be further from the truth; the obstacle has always been the inability to correctly conceptualize our problems. Although, there have been giant strides in cellular communications but budget implementation and infrastructural support such as roads, and especially power leaves much to be desired. There are inadequate supply of land lines, importation of cement perpetually hampers the construction sector, gas flaring continues while we import gasoline. Wealthy Nigerians especially the political elites travel abroad for medical treatment while unemployment and healthcare inaccessibility devastate the majority of Nigerians. These inefficiencies will hamper economic growth for 2010. DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT