Date: 2016-09-14

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has stated that the time for identifying the cause of the economic recession and those responsible was over adding that it is high time for all political leaders to start working together to find a solution.

Saraki stated this at an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers.

He said the Senate on resumption will respond to the economic crisis with a number of measures which include getting managers of the economy to give account to the people, making tough recommendations to the President on needed changes, formulating necessary legislative framework for economic recovery and wide consultations across the private sector.

He reiterated his call for a broader and bolder economic plan with input from both legislative and executive arms of government, the private sector, professional groups. Saying all the groups must work together to put in place interventions that will create more jobs, strengthen the Naira, bring more investment into the country, and diversify the economy.

"We are going to have an exhaustive and comprehensive debate on fixing the country's economy when we resume next week. We understand the pains that Nigerians are feeling and we do not take this for granted.

"Additionally, the Senate intends to invite everybody involved in the management of the economy to address the Nigerian people through the parliament on the steps that are being taken to get us out of this mess. We fully intend to hold all those involved in the economic management of the country accountable.

However, we will do so in a manner that is transparent and there will be no cover-up. We will make tough recommendations as necessary", he added.

The Senate President said it was equally important to begin to interrogate what happened to the measures aimed at cushioning the effect of the recession built into the 2016 budget and why they have not been implemented. He said the Senate will meet with stakeholders in the private sector to ensure it collates a broad spectrum of opinions while formulating ideas to stimulate the economy.