Ben Murray-Bruce, a senator from Bayelsa state, has urged President Muhammadu not to flinch when borrowing, especially if the process will lead to the development of Nigeria “overnight”.
Murray-Bruce, made his opinion public when he contributed to the debate on Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), on Wednesday. He argued that Nigeria’s “piecemeal” borrowing would not bring about the needed development.
He urged the government to borrow any amount of money to develop Nigeria rapidly.
“They way we grow and develop does not help anyone. We have a big problem and we are solving it in a mickey-mouse way,” he said.
“We must take a position and develop this economy. If we want to borrow N50trn, then borrow N50trn and develop Nigeria overnight. Borrowing 2trn, 1trn and half a trillion does not solve the problem.
“Nigeria has the capacity to grow. We have the resilience to grow. Nigerians are the most hard-working people in the whole of Africa.”
After the debate on the framework, Senate President Bukola Saraki referred it to the committees on finance and appropriations, and directed them to submit their report next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the senate confirmed the appointment of Babatunde Fowler as chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
