Outgoing British envoy praises Tinubu’s economic reforms

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The outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, on Tuesday said President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms would put Nigeria on a better footing in the long term.

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A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser to the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, said the British High Commissioner spoke in Abuja during a farewell visit to the Revenue House.

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According to Montgomery, although the reforms might have caused short-term pain for ordinary people, they are fundamental to restoring vitality to the economy.

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The envoy said that being in Nigeria over a three-year period, when so much had happened for the good, was awesome.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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,” he said.

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He said that what the country’s economic management team, which includes the NRS boss, had done to try and put Nigeria on a better economic footing had been fantastic.

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Montgomery described the NRS as one of the best partners of the British High Commission, and commended Adedeji for doing a “tough but good work”.

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Responding, the NRS chairman expressed regret that Montgomery was leaving the country at this time, while applauding the way he undertook his assignment.

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“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.

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“The support is not lost on us. I would also like to thank you for your commitment, and I am very grateful.

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“You saw us as part of the economic fabric of this country. Those engagements really went a long way in shaping our reforms,” Adedeji said.

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