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How we are addressing inequalities to bring joy to Nigerians, by Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

*President Buhari directs Minister of Finance, CBN Governor to ensure speedy, timely release of funds to MDAs for implementation of N2.3 trillion economic sustainability plan, capital projects in 2020 Budget

*Challenges FEC members, top government officials to defend government’s policies vigorously

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

While stressing that implementation of his administration’s policies, programmes and projects has started yielding fruitful results, President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration’s recent efforts  are all aimed at closing the gap between the different classes to bring joy to a greater number of Nigerians.

President Buhari stated this at the end of the two-day First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat Tuesday, in Abuja, FCT.

It was learnt the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) had organised the retreat to assess the performance of government in the last one year.

The President said he observed that already, the policies, programmes and projects had started yielding fruitful results in the country.

“Within these few days, we have examined the numerous policies, programmes and projects this administration had embarked upon which are targeted at lifting our people from the shackle of poverty, protect their lives and property and ensure equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth.

“We aim to gradually close the gap between the different classes to bring joy to a greater number of the citizens,” said Buhari.

The President further stated: “I’m glad that these policies, programmes and projects have recorded appreciable successes.

“Our renewed vigour on agriculture has been demonstrated through our Anchor Borrower Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative.’’

He, therefore, challenged all cabinet (Federal Executive Council -FEC) members and senior government officials to defend the government vigorously and not allow “any irresponsible and politically motivated statements’’ to keep spreading falsehoods about his administration.

Buhari also reminded them that the days of insufficient collaboration, coordination and synergy among implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) should be over.

He stressed that “in this regard, I have directed that essential coordination delivery unit in the office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation should be revived to ensure we focus on results.

“The Secretary to the Government Federation is to ensure regular reports on progress submitted.

“I have charged all of you to defend the government vigorously and not allow any irresponsible and politically motivated statements to keep spreading falsehoods about this government.

“Information to the public should be better packaged, go on the offensive, we are proud of our achievements and we should blow our own trumpets.’’

The president maintained that his administration could not afford to fail Nigerians, who invested their trust in the government.

“I am hereby charging Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and all heads of parastatals to be continuously conscious of their commitment and responsibilities.

“On behalf of the people of Nigeria, I demand the uttermost level of performance, deliverables and results.

“I look forward to a result orientated year with tremendous benefits that will continue to change the lives of our people positively,” he added.

He, therefore, appealed for more collaboration and synergy among government agencies in order to enhance development.

Buhari said: “I am confident that the lessons we have learnt in the last one year of implementation of policies, programmes and projects, deliberations and resolutions form the different sessions as well as experience sharing from various speakers, will serve as the needed tool to propel every ministry to the next level of achievement.

“More importantly, the trust reposed in us by Nigerians remains the ultimate driving force.

“We cannot afford to lose focus, regardless of the challenges. Our eyes must therefore remain fixed on the ultimate goal.

The President also directed Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure speedy and timely release of funds to MDAs for implementation of the N2.3 trillion economic sustainability plan and the capital projects in the 2020 budget.

He as well enjoined Ministers to ensure efficient and transparent utilisation of funds released for the implementation of the programmes and projects under the nine priorities areas of government.

Mr. Boss Mustapha, SGF, earlier in his remarks said the Buhari administration had made some progress.

He stated that “we have the potential to do more in order to transform our country and improve the lives of our people.”

He revealed that, based on the independent assessment of the Performance on Ministerial Mandates across the Ministries by the staff of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and their Technical Partners and the plenary conversations, five key issues emerged:

  1. The need to review and reprioritise the interventions in the Ministerial mandates to meet the new emerging socio-economic environment and deliver on Presidential priorities.
  2. The need for Key Performance Indicators and annual targets that smartly define success of interventions in each priority area for improved performance assessment going forward.

3. The need for inter-agency collaboration to drive delivery and synergy among implementing MDAs.

4. The need to accelerate the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan in order to respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19 pandemic; and

5. Adequacy and timeliness of fund releases to execute projects and programmes of the Ministerial mandates.

According to Mustapha, as part of the strategy towards ensuring effective realisation of these objectives, the OSGF will sustain the ongoing discussions after the retreat with ministers with a view to “reviewing and re-prioritising interventions in the light of the lessons learnt, so that we can deliver as agreed.’’

He restated the need for Ministers and Heads of agencies under their supervision to work together to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to drive delivery and synergy among implementing MDAs.

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