The Chief Imam of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulahakeem Abdullateef, on Sunday advised President Mohammed Buhari to empower the private sector to develop untapped areas of the economy. Abdullateef gave the advice during interview in Lagos.

He also said the new government needed to tackle insecurity, corruption and unemployment to succeed. “Government should empower private sector to invest in subsectors such as gas, iron and steel. If we can refine oil here, we would be saving the cost of bringing in fuel from abroad. In fact, if we refine, we can begin to export and that would positively affect the currency since they would not need more of naira to purchase.”

Abdullateef said in spite of the country’s enormous wealth, it was yet to reflect on the living standard of its citizens. He said government should create an enabling environment for businesses to strive, adding that, “doing business in neighbouring countries is by far cheaper than doing business in Nigeria.”

The cleric further advised government to explore opportunities in agriculture, the gas industry, as well as iron and steel. He said: “you cannot address security without addressing unemployment because many Nigerians are willing to work. There should be an all-inclusive approach to employment in the country.

“We are blessed, we have weather that is rear to come by in the world, we have fertile agricultural land to explore agriculture, especially mechanised farming.”

The Imam commended the President for his promise to allow various arms of government to operate on their own, and urged him not to be biased in the fight against bribery and corruption.

He, therefore, advised the President to work with technocrats, intelligent and righteous individuals. President Buhari was inaugurated into office on May 29.

Credit: NAN