THE Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has said that in spite of the progress being made on de-escalating security challenges, more collaboration with the state governments is required.
He made this observation at the first quarter 2022 meeting of the Forum of Secretary to the Government of the Federation with Secretaries to the State Governments held in Abuja.
Mustapha noted that in 2021, progress was made by holding two virtual sessions which related on discussions to strengthen national poverty eradication strategy and address the security challenges in the country.
“I am happy to note that progress is being made on de-escalating these security challenges. However, events in the last few days point to the fact that a lot more needs to be done and our various state governments will be counting on us to provide that coordinating framework, not only within our various states but also among our states,” he said.
While welcoming the delegation from various states, SGF said the Forum provides a platform for effective interaction between the federal and state bureaucracies on issues of mutual national importance.
He added that the Forum also provided an opportunity for experience sharing and peer review as well as cascading and synchronising policies, programmes and agenda of the Federal Government with that at sub-national levels.
Speaking on the forthcoming general election in 2023, Mustapha advised the secretaries to the state governments and other public servants to be focused on delivery of dividends of democracy to the people and not allow campaigns to distract them from service delivery.
He said: “This first quarter 2022 meeting still upholds that tradition and that is why we are focusing on the theme ‘Bureaucratic Continuity During Pre-Election and Transition Periods.’ You would all agree with me that once we are approaching an election year, the general perception is that government stops working at all levels.
“It is our responsibility to change this narrative and ensure that government not only works and works efficiently and effectively but also transitions from one government to another are made a seamless experience.
“As a forum, we need to focus our minds on improving our facilitator role for governance to work in our various states, as we approach another major election period.”
“The main reason for starting this meeting with an update on how the National Social Investment Programme is working towards achieving President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty is to consistently remind us that whatever we do in our various offices must translate to reducing the present unacceptable levels of poverty in the country.
“If we allow distractions from electioneering to detract us, then we would be unable to create
any dent of our present poverty indices and would fail in our collective responsibility to make our various states better than we met it,” Mustapha said.
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“Absolutely, When we came with the Buhari government in 2015 I became the minister. We were committed to a roadmap to establish a National Carrier, to concession the airports, to set up a leasing company, to establish cargo facilities and we have been doing that.”
On why the Buhari government wanted a national carrier, the minister responded: “Nigeria is situated at the centre of Africa, equidistant from all locations in Africa. 30.4 million square kilometres miles, 1.5 billion people, very green land. If Central and Eastern Africa is the belt of the continent, then Nigeria is the buckle. 200 million people and rising middle class, propensity to fly is high. Nigeria is a candidate for National Carrier.”
Sirika who insisted that the coming national carrier will be private sector driven added; “Private. Yes. 5 per cent government and no government stepping right in that company, no government control, no membership of government on board. Totally private and committed.
“Whatever we say we will do as a government since 2015, it has happened. that is why Tim Clark of Emirates, Qatar Airways and all of them are looking to go into Nigeria in multiple frequencies and multiple landing points because Nigeria is the right place for the airline business.
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