By Chesa Chesa
The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has said it is working to ensure that Nigerians directly benefit from the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Chairman of the forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, stated this briefing Tinubu in Lagos, on the activities of the governors forum since the e President’s month-long vacation in Europe.
Uzodimma said the governors had moved beyond explaining the reforms to ensuring that their dividends were felt by ordinary Nigerians.
“We have already taken cue from that (Independence Day) broadcast, and that is exactly what we are doing. The reform policy has moved from implementation to ensuring that the people of Nigeria get the dividends of the reform policy itself,” he said.
He cited the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative as an area where the benefits of the reforms should be directly felt by citizens, particularly through lower transportation costs.
According to him, the reduction in the cost of energy through CNG should translate into lower fares for commuters, urging transport operators to pass the savings on to passengers.
“The transporters and commuters should also be responsible in ensuring that since the cost of transportation has been reduced by the introduction of CNG, that they should now also reduce the fare they charge passengers. That way, it becomes a win-win situation,” he said.
Uzodimma said the governors would not merely “sing the songs of reform” but would work to ensure that the people experienced its impact.
“So we are not going to only sit here and sing the songs of reform. We are going to make sure that the benefits, the real beneficiaries of the reform policy, are the people. That the masses will feel the impact. That these policies, the dividends, should be impactful,” he said.
The PGF chairman said the impact of the reforms could also be seen in the improved financial capacity of states, citing his experience in Imo.
He recalled that when he became governor in 2021, the state often struggled to meet its obligations after paying salaries.
“In 2021, I became the Governor without President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his reform policies. It was difficult at the end of every month after paying salaries. That is, if we managed to pay salaries, to have money to run the state,” he said.
Uzodimma said the situation had changed, with Imo State now able to pay salaries while also having resources to execute government projects.
“Today, we pay salaries as we do and we have money to do all the achievements that we have recorded in the state. It is not only in my state. Every other state. Most of our Governors are very active, with a lot of projects here and there,” he said.
He said the governors remained committed to ensuring that the benefits of the reforms reached the people, adding that the ultimate test of the policies would be their impact on citizens’ daily lives.
Uzodimma a stressed that his meeting with Tinubu was aimed at briefing the President on developments in the country during his absence and updating him on the activities of the progressive governors.
“The President has just come back from a working leave. And while he was away, we were working in Nigeria. And it is only fair that he is briefed on the happenings in the country and an interim report given to him as to the issues on ground,” he said.
He described the meeting with Tinubu as a “quality conversation”, adding that the governors had also been preparing for renewed political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Imo governor said the governors were grateful for the reforms and had been tasked with ensuring that Nigerians understood and experienced their dividends.
“That way, people will understand the song and chorus it,” he said.
