With campaigns ramping up for the 2023 general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has warned ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Government Agencies not to abandon the business of governance for electioneering, saying that such acts will be viewed seriously.
According to him, the business of governance must continue to receive the needed attention during this period.
He gave the warning at the end of the 3rd Ministerial Performance Review Retreat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, he signed Executive Order 012 on Improving Performance Management, Coordination and Implementation of Presidential Priorities.
He said: “Consequently, all Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies must remain focused in the discharge of their duties, as any infraction will be viewed seriously.
“Our collective goal is to map out a transition plan for the incoming Administration to ensure proper documentation of all the Policies, Programmes and Projects of Government with up-to-date status of implementation.”
President Buhari noted that the lessons learned in the last three years of implementing the administration’s policies, programmes and projects would serve as the needed tool to propel every Ministry to remain committed, towards the achievement of developmental objectives.
He, therefore, charged all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to step up, double their efforts and work in synergy toward the total delivery of the Administration’s set targets.
On Executive Order 12, the President explained that it would institutionalise a culture of accountability and transparency in the pursuit of good governance.
President Buhari also directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to continue with the quarterly review process and assessment of ministries for the third and fourth Quarters of 2022, saying the reports will form part of the transition documents of his administration to the incoming government.
To achieve this objective, the President ordered all Ministers and Permanent Secretaries to ensure that the performance reports of their Ministries are submitted on a quarterly basis to the Office of the SGF for review by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.
“The outcome of these reviews would be made available for my consideration,” the President said.
The President also declared that following discussion and recommendations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been directed to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure the completion of all large-scale integrated Rice Processing Mills before the end of this Administration.
“This will help our country to maintain sufficiency in the local production of rice as the ban on the importation of foreign rice will be sustained, ” he said.
On electricity, President Buhari directed that all hands must be on deck to ensure the timely realization of the increase in electricity generation to 25,000 Megawatts in six years.
He recounted that the plan on electricity generation, through the partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and German Siemens AG, is on course as the first batch of the transformers has arrived in Nigeria already.
Considering the huge investment made in the rail sector, the President directed the Ministry of Transportation and relevant security Agencies to ensure the provision of maximum security along the railway corridors.
“We must ensure the safety of our rail users and strive to achieve the intended economic goals. We must at the same time ensure realizable schedules and first-class maintenance.
“Following the milestones recorded in the road sector, coupled with the innovative ways of funding road infrastructure, the Ministry of Works and Housing has been directed to compile a list of all completed roads, bridges and other infrastructure for commissioning before the end of this Administration,” he said.
Furthermore, the President directed that the Federal Government’s investment in the reconstruction of 21 selected ongoing Federal Roads totalling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy must be closely monitored and tracked to ensure the roads are completed on schedule.
“In line with the outcome of the Panel session on Priority 4 (Improve Transportation and Other Infrastructure), the Ministry of Aviation is hereby directed to conclude and ensure the take-off of the National Carrier Project before the end of the year.”
In order to expand the fiscal space and improve the nation’s revenue generation efforts, President Buhari directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to ensure the effective implementation of the Strategic Revenue and Growth Initiative.
“In the same vein, we must also build synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities in order to avoid unnecessary drawbacks in our economic planning and performance,” he said.
On the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, the President directed that a monitoring and evaluation framework be put in place by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with relevant agencies and partners to track the disbursement and utilisation of the Fund.
On humanitarian issues, the President noted that in the three years of existence of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the ministry has provided substantial support and assistance to vulnerable citizens through various programmes.
He, therefore, directed the Minister to facilitate and work with the Attorney General of the Federation in transmitting the Federal Executive Council’s approved National Social Investment Programme Establishment Bill (2022) to the National Assembly.
This, he said, would ensure the sustainability of this important programme which leaves a lasting legacy for the vulnerable Nigerians by this administration.
On industry, trade and investment, the President directed the Ministry to engage relevant stakeholders to secure the privatisation of the six Special Economic Zones as approved by the Bureau of Public Enterprise.
To complement the current efforts in the Oil and Gas Sector, the President announced that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been mandated to ensure the completion of the reorganization of the new Agencies unbundled from the defunct Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation in line with their mandates.
“This should be completed by the end of the 1st Quarter of 2023,” he said.
President Buhari also used the occasion to appeal to the National Assembly to fast-track the consideration and passage of key legislative bills as agreed during the Panel Session at the Retreat.
According to him, “this will serve as our collective legacy towards entrenching key reforms that will serve as a springboard for the next Administration.”
President Buhari, who described the two-day retreat as time well-spent, said it has provided an opportunity for ‘‘reflection and lesson learning aimed at reviewing progress and agreeing on key actions that will ensure we finish well by the end of our Administration come May 29th, 2023.”
“We have used the opportunity provided by this Retreat to carry out an objective assessment of our commitments in line with the contract we signed with the Nigerian people at the inception of this Administration in 2019.
“I am glad to note that we have sustained this yearly stock-taking innovative initiatives introduced in 2019 by holding three consecutive Performance Review Retreats in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. This has helped us to clearly identify what we have done, what needs to be done and how best to get it done.
“From the assessment report and discussions at this Retreat, it is evident that we have made appreciable progress through collective efforts in setting the Nation on the path of sustainable development while improving the well-being of our people.
“Notwithstanding these achievements, there are still unfinished businesses that we must speedily complete to ensure we finish well. We must, therefore, endeavour to close every gap in our implementation efforts to ensure the attainment of set targets by 2023,” he said.
In his presentation, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, noted that the Boko Haram insurgency led to the deaths of 100,000 persons, over 2 million displaced and $9 billion (N3.24 trillion) worth of damages.
He said the insurgency is now restricted to a corner of the territory they previously inhabited even though they have made some inroads into the northwest.
The Defence boss also affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have received N2.5 trillion in 7 years in budgetary provision and have been able to “tremendously” increased internal security operations.
However, he regretted that the amount received is just 35% of AFN requirements and below 0.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
While speaking on the AFN operations in the Niger Delta, he said militancy has transmuted to crude oil theft, noting the gaps exist in the National Security Strategy, which he said can be overcome through the initiative of the political leadership, military operations and the attitude of the population.
Giving his goodwill message Retreat, the presidential of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday assured President Buhari that if elected, he will advance the effort and legacy of his administration.
The ruling party flag bearer noted the present administration’s achievements despite the challenges facing the global community.
While reminding citizens of what the president inherited on the assumption of office, Tinubu stated: “If elected, I will give due honour to your efforts and your legacy. I will work in the spirit of further unity, and national purpose that informed the creation of our party that characterized the work of your government.
“Most importantly, the ways and means of a Tinubu government will be devoted to further project and prosper the Nigerian people because our guiding principle will be to provide the best of progressive governance and reform our beloved land.
“Consider these three promises to build on the positives and growth of your 9-point agenda.”
Tinubu recalled that he supported Buhari and will remain “your friend and ally even after your final day at the job.”
Commending the President for his services, Tinubu added: “I can say this, I know the vision you wrote for Nigeria, it is a good and uplifting one. I know the level of patriotic dedication with which you have for this country. I know the things you have achieved and listened critically to the laundry list of work that was achieved and discussed yesterday.
We will definitely realize the depth of commitment that every one of you has made to this country. You have kept faith in the developmental programme of our party.
“May I say this to you, to the entire team, the things you have done are important and enduring? Try as they might, no one can take those achievements away from you.
“Yet, it is the fate of the selfless worker to labour too hard and too long to write his own story. He would rather accomplish all things to do than focus attention on himself or herself.
“Thus, his history is not always laid accurately too. His labour and achievements may go unappreciated for a moment. However, that moment cannot last and cannot lie. In due course, the full essence of this administration and its contribution would be called known and understood very well.
“You see, history has a way of clearing the myths so that things can be said clearly and objectively. Any objective assessment of your time and the national contribution you all have made, will be a positive and grateful one.”
On insecurity, the former Lagos State governor observed that Buhari has fought insurgency to a standstill, adding: “You have put us on the road to defeating this menace. By the grace of Almighty God, we shall persist until terrorists and those like them are utterly removed from the face of our nation.”
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