Vice-President Kashim Shettima has defended the federal government’s economic reforms, saying they are designed to create an enabling environment for investment, strengthen businesses and improve the country’s productive capacity.
He, however, stressed the need for effective communication of government policies at both federal and state levels to help citizens understand their objectives, implementation and expected benefits.
Shettima spoke in Abuja at the Dukes Masterclass on Penetrative Leadership, where he highlighted the importance of effective communication in governance and the digital economy.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters in the Office of the Vice-President, Dr Tope Fasua, Shettima said the administration’s reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange market liberalisation, fiscal restructuring and revenue mobilisation, were intended to build a more productive, competitive and resilient economy.
‘The reforms undertaken by this administration, including the fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange market liberalisation, fiscal restructuring and revenue mobilisation, represent important steps towards building a more productive, competitive and resilient economy.
‘These decisions require courage, but beyond the decisions themselves, they are intended to create an environment in which investments can grow, businesses can plan with greater confidence, public resources can be deployed more effectively, and the productive capacity of our people can be better harnessed,’ he said.
He said the government must communicate its policies clearly, provide credible evidence of progress and listen to citizens’ experiences to build public confidence in its programmes.
In his opening address, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, speaking on the theme, ‘Penetrative Leadership: Definitive Strategies in Robust Crisis and Reputational Management in an Increasingly Chaotic World Order’, also underscored the importance of effective policy communication by leaders and government officials.