By Cross Udo
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave his administration a pass mark, saying that it has implemented high-impact projects across the country.
Buhari also said that his government has met the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
Speaking while declaring open the 3rd Ministerial Performance Review Retreat at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President highlighted the progress made in the areas of agriculture, economy, infrastructure, security, health, and anti-corruption, among others.
The retreat with the theme, “Enhance security, fight corruption, transform the economy,” is designed to review the progress of the administration since the second edition in October 2021.
This came just as the former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, stressed the need to carry the opposition along for a peaceful and progressive country.
Delivering the keynote address at the retreat, Kenyatta, who drew from the Kenyan example, said countries in Africa have the same developmental problems, which he said must be confronted irrespective of who is in power.
He said what was important is the continuity of programmes and succession planning.
Kenyatta also noted the current global challenges, which he said even though have nothing to do with Africa, the continent bears the brunt.
But he wondered how the continent would meet the challenges for its patient population within the limited time frame, saying: “First is the ability to be focused on what the critical issues are. We can’t deliver on everything but focus on those areas that affect our people and enhance unity.
“The second is that the challenges we face can’t be completed by any one single administration. So, the issue of continuing and succession planning is very necessary.”
However, President Buhari enumerated some of the achievements of his administration, saying that over 3,800 KM of roads have been constructed across the country, while 38 new aircraft were acquired for the Nigerian Air Force to boost the fight against insurgency.
The retreat also serves as s forum for self-assessment, evaluation of progress made, and measurement of the impact of work done, in ensuring that the government remains focused on delivering the promises it made to Nigerians.
Buhari said that 38.7 million Nigerians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, representing 35 per cent of the total eligible population target for vaccination.
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On infrastructure, he said, “In recognition of the importance of critical infrastructure in economic development and the quest of this Administration to leave a lasting legacy, we have implemented high-impact projects across the length and breadth of the country that meets the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
”Some of the notable achievements include the completion of 326km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line and railway ancillary facilities; the completion of over 156.5km Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway modernization project with extension to Lagos Port, Apapa.
“On road projects, this Administration has constructed 408Km of roads; 2,499Km of SUKUK roads, and maintenance of 15,961Km of roads across the Country.
“Key among these projects is the construction of 1.9km 2nd Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta States with 10.30km approach road; rehabilitation, construction, and expansion of Lagos-Sagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway; the ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, among others.”
While stressing that he has sustained commitment to infrastructural development for the past seven years, Buhari said over 941km of completed SUKUK road projects nationwide have been handed over.
He further stated that the government has embarked on the reconstruction of 21 selected Federal Roads totalling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development & Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy.
He explained that the roads, which are funded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, are in addition to similar existing collaboration with Messrs Dangote Industries Limited and other corporate organisations to improve the stock of the country’s road infrastructure.
On aviation, the President assured that the establishment of a National Carrier for Nigeria is at 91 percent completion, and is expected to commence flight operations before the end of this year.
He said the feat is being boosted with the certification of Lagos and Abuja International Airports by the International Civil Aviation Organization, while Kano and Port Harcourt Airports are undergoing similar certification processes.
On the economy, the President restated that the country had witnessed seven consecutive quarters of growth after negative growth rates were recorded in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters of 2020.
He added, “The GDP grew by 3.54% (year-on-year) in real terms in the 2nd Quarter of 2022. This growth rate represents a sustained positive economic performance, especially for the Non-Oil GDP which fell by 4.77 per cent in Q2 2022 against Oil GDP which grew by -11.77 per cent.
“Most sectors of the economy recorded positive growth which reflects the effective implementation of the economic sustainability measures introduced by this Administration,” he said.
On the communications and digital economy sector, the President noted that giant strides have been made through broadband coverage which currently stands at 44.32 per cent, reinforced by 77.52 per cent 4G coverage with the establishment of 36,751 4G base stations nationwide.
Similarly, the President declared that the Power Sector has remained a critical priority for the Administration, adding that the implementation of a ‘Willing Buyer-Willing Seller’ policy introduced by the Federal Government has opened up opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to underserved homes and industries.
He further said, “We are also executing several critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, which will result in achieving the national goal of improved power supply by 2025.
“It is important to state that the partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and German Siemens AG through the Presidential Power Initiative to increase electricity generation to 25,000 Megawatts (MW) in six years is on the course, as the first batch of the transformers has arrived Nigeria already.”
On the oil and gas sector, the President recalled that on 16th August 2021, he signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) into law, providing a legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, as well as the development of host communities and related matters.
He noted that to achieve the objectives of the PIA, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation was unbundled while the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority were established.
Speaking on efforts towards strengthening national security, the President said his administration has substantially invested in arms, weapons, and other critical military hardware as well as continuous training for the Armed Forces.
In the fight against corruption, the President promised that the administration would continue to review and prosecute high-profile corruption cases and ensure speedy completion.
Concerning Social Investment Programmes, the President said 9,990,862 pupils are being fed through the School Feeding Programme, which employs 128,531 cooks in local communities.
Buhari also lauded Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, noting that the country’s achievement has been commended by the World Health Organisation.
He said at the end of September 2022, 51,713,575 eligible people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, representing 46.3% of the eligible population.
The President urged all eligible Nigerians to ensure that they are fully vaccinated as Nigeria’s vaccine stock balance stands at about 27 million doses.
On agriculture, the President expressed delight that as a direct result of the investment, the sector has experienced significant growth.
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The President directed Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and all Heads of Agencies to reinvigorate their efforts in ramping-up delivery of flagship programmes and projects contained in their Ministerial Mandates.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo counselled against placing a blanket ban on imports giving the negative consequences it can have on the economy including on raw materials.
He said importation is not the problem of the economy as he noted that many manufacturing countries are heavy importers that import much more than Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, said the retreat has been structured into three main focus areas.
Mustapha disclosed that President Buhari would sign an Executive Order on Improving Performance Management, Coordination, and Implementation of Presidential Priorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria at the end of the 3rd Ministerial Performance Review Retreat.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, Speaker of the House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Senate President Ahmed Lawan delivered goodwill messages at the Retreat.
The two-day exercise is being attended by the immediate past President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta as the keynote speaker; the leadership of the National Assembly, all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), defence chiefs, among others.
