President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the country’s ministers today at the closing ceremony of the First year Ministerial Perfomance Review Retreat at the State House in Abuja.
Below are 10 major highlights of the President’s speech to the ministers;
- COMMENDATION
President Buhari commended the ministers for the efforts so far. He said; “I therefore commend your efforts, commitment and resilience to the cardinal aspiration of this Administration. As I stated in my opening remarks yesterday, ‘the Nigerian people expect dedication and commitment by all of us in implementing polices, programmes and projects to improve the quality of their lives and set Nigeria on the path of prosperity.”
2. LIFTING 100 MILLION NIGERIANS OUT OF POVERTY
The President said; “Let me reassure all Nigerians that this Administration remains resolute in initiating programmes aimed at improving the quality of lives and uplifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next ten years.”
“The proceedings of the last two days have been designed to ensure the attainment of Ministerial deliverables is on track and to accelerate achievement of the Nine Priority Areas in the face of current challenges. Distinguished participants, the discussions at the retreat have revealed that our country has what it takes to weather through the storms of contemporary challenges.”
3. ANCHOR BORROWERS’ PROGRAMME
The President said; “I am glad that these policies, programmes and projects have recorded appreciable successes. Our renewed vigor on agriculture has been demonstrated through our Anchor Borrowers Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative.”
4. RAILWAY PROJECTS
The President also highlighted on ongoing railway projects. “We have made progress on the railway projects with a view to connecting different parts of the country. The Lagos-Ibadan rail line is up and working. The Abuja-Kaduna rail line is efficiently running.”
“Arrangements are being made to complete the Ibadan – Kano, commence the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri line which will connect the Southern and Eastern States to the Northern States.”
5. ROAD PROJECTS/2nd NIGER BRIDGE
Mr. Buhari disclosed; “Work is ongoing at the 2nd Niger Bridge and is at 46% completion. We hope to commission the project before the end of our tenure in 2023.”
“Several contracts have been awarded to rehabilitate, reconstruct and construct our arterial roads, to reduce the hardship to commuters and increase economic activities across the States.”
6. GAS PIPELINE PROJECT
President Buhari said; “We have flagged off the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project which is being developed at this critical time in Nigeria’s commitment to increasing our infrastructure assets and promote the use of gas in the domestic market.”
7. ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT
The President said; “Our anticorruption fight requires no emphasis. We have made consistent efforts to build strong institutional capacities in the fight against corruption by strengthening our anti-corruption Agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal supported by a Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, such that they work independently and jointly, being guided by Law.”
8. INSECURITY
Speaking on Insecurity, President Buhari said; “We have also worked to address emergent cases of insecurity and insurgency in the country with innovative approaches such as “Operation Safe Corridor,” which de-radicalize, rehabilitate, and reintegrate willingly surrendered Boko Haram members into the larger society. Our security operations in the Niger Delta, North Central and North Western States are yielding desired results. We hope to get rid of bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in these regions.”
9. COVID-19 PANDEMIC
President Buhari stated; “The advent of COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant negative effect is being addressed through the constitution of a Presidential Task Force for proper coordination and the launch of the 12-month Economic Sustainability Plan to cushion the effect of the pandemic on our citizens and business owners.”
10. N2.3 TRILLION ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
The President said; “I have directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, and all other responsible Agencies to ensure speedy and timely release of funds to MDAs for implementation of the N2.3Trillion Economic Sustainability Plan and the Capital Projects in the 2020 Budget.”
“I also enjoin Ministers to ensure that funds released are utilized efficiently and transparently in implementing the programmes and projects along the Nine Priorities of Government.”
