Former Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, KALU IDIKA KALU has expressed reservation about the Federal Government’s embrace of China as a major economic partner.IDIKA KALU said inasmuch as the Nigerian economy was in need of huge resources; going to China alone without doing much to chart a direction for the domestic economy will not deliver the much desired results from such international collaboration.The renowned economist who speaking on Channels Television breakfast programme – Sunrise Daily – said government needs to get its economic indicators rights by creating the enabling environment of businesses to thrive.He lamented that much of the goodwill on which the current Administration of the All Progressive Congress rode into power was fast fading away because of the seeming lack of economic direction.KALU IDIKA KALU also stressed the need for government to pay serious attention to the issue of security, which he described as an important component of the economy.The former Finance Minister said emphasis should be placed on discussing national security challenges, while urging government and the security agencies to undertake regular public briefing on specific security challenges.
He expressed worry that government and the security agencies appear not to be certain about those that are behind the series of raids and massacre of inhabitants of farming communities by suspected herdsmen.KALU IDIKA KALU also advised the Federal Government to come up with a detailed plan for the diversification of the economy.He equally called for an end to the current practice of disparity in exchange rates, stressing that it does not give a proper reflection of the strength of the Nigerian economy.
