Date: 2016-09-21

The people of Kwara state have described the recent economic hardship in the country as unbearable, urging government to act fast and cushion their plights.

In a town hall meeting and interactive session with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, the people seized the opportunity to bear their minds on their predicaments in this economic meltdown. They affirmed that the hardship is becoming unbearable as the prices of food commodities continue to skyrocket in the face of the dwindling economy.

Responding, the Senate President blamed the past administration for the nation's economic doldrums, maintaining that it failed to do what is needful to avert the present woes. He also attributed the hardship to the decline in the oil prices, the mainstay of the nation's economy.

"Yes, the collapse in oil prices from over $100 per barrel to about $48 recently meant the Nigerian economy would experience serious challenge," he said.

However, in his welcome back address after the Senate's annual recess on Tuesday, Saraki urged members to avoid the temptation of blame-games but work together to come up with robust economic policies and enact necessary legislations that will bring the nation's economy out of the woods.

To achieve this, the Senate President said the Senate will brainstorm and come up with key actionable recommendations to the Executive and pressurizes them to put the recommendations to work.

"My expectation is that by the time we are done with our debate we should make key actionable recommendations to the Executive on what this chamber sees as the way forward in the immediate, mid-term and long term solutions to this economic situation. And as representatives of our people, we must follow up through regular oversight and pressure on the Executive to ensure that they deliver on our recommendations. On our path however, we are ready to pass the legislative measures that will facilitate our quick exit from this recession," he said.