BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery has stated that though President Bola Tinubu’s reforms inflicted deep pains on Nigerians but it would restore the economy and place the country on a pedestal.
This was even as he praised the country for its resilience and accommodating nature, describing his three-year stay in Nigeria as awesome.
Montgomery disclosed this during a farewell visit to Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji in Abuja.
He said: “Although the reforms might have caused short-term pain for ordinary people, they are fundamental to restoring vitality to the economy.
“I know that a lot of the economic reforms are tough, and they can cause short-term pain for ordinary people, you know, devaluation, inflation, and so forth.
“However, I stand by and continue to brief our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, who’s hoping to speak to Mr President at some point in the next couple of weeks.”
The first Priority Areas on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is to reform the economy for sustained inclusive growth. The reforms are expected to create a robust, diversified, and resilient economy by providing a conducive environment for investment and innovation, stimulating growth, reducing unemployment, and ensuring equitable distribution of wealth.
Montgomery said though Nigeria is complicated given that the budget and fiscal management system is difficult but country’s economic management team, which included the NRS Chairman, have exhibited excellence in handling the economic affairs.
“I know that Nigeria is complicated. I know that budget and fiscal management are always particularly difficult because of the way the budget works in the National Assembly but the economic management team including the NRS boss are doing fantastic work by trying to put Nigeria on a better economic footing.”
He described the NRS as one of the best partners of the British High Commission, just as he praised Adedeji for handling a tough but good work.
The NRS chairman was sad that Montgomery was leaving the country, praising him for discharging his responsibilities creditably.
Adedeji added: “The way you’ve done this work actually changed the story, most especially your support, both personal as well as the technical assistance for our reforms.
“The support is not lost on us. I will like to also thank you for your commitment and I am very grateful. You saw us as part of the economic fabric of this country. Those engagements really went a long way in shaping our reforms.”
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