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Tag: Buhari

  • Buratai, Magu, Babachir: President Buhari has failed anti-corruption promises -Adeyanju

    Buratai, Magu, Babachir: President Buhari has failed anti-corruption promises -Adeyanju

    The preliminary report of the Senator Shehu Sani led Senate Adhoc Committee on Humanitarian Crises in the North East and the report of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) opposing the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lends the long held view in many quarters that the anti-corruption drive of the current administration is a sham directed at persecuting real and perceived political enemies of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    In its report, the Senate Adhoc Committee indicted the Secretary General of the Federation – Mr. Babachir David Lawal – of sundry acts of corruption, illegal award of contracts, abuse of public office, breach of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act among others. The report accused him of awarding contracts to companies of cronies who in turn paid him kickbacks amounting to hundreds of millions of Naira.

    Several documents in the public domain, including bank statements and incorporation documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), verify these allegations.

    In its report, DSS indicted the acting Chairman of EFCC – Mr. Ibrahim Magu – on sundry charges of corruption, living above his means, flouting presidential directives against public officials flying abroad using first class by travelling for the lesser Hajj on a first class ticket that cost three million Naira among others.

    Further to this indictment, DSS recommended that Mr. Magu not be confirmed as Chairman of EFCC, a recommendation which was upheld by the Senate.

    The Presidency has failed, refused and/or neglected to take any steps against both public officials. Indeed, in a surprising stance the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) – Professor Itse Sagay – is recorded to have stated in an interview that Mr. Magu will stay on in the job regardless of the position of the Senate.

    The laissez-faire attitude of the Buhari administration to these substantial allegations of corruption against these senior public officials is telling. These allegations are in addition to substantial allegations of corruption against other senior officials of the Buhari administration – Chief Rotimi Amaechi (Minister of Transport), Mr. Babatunde Fashola (Minister of Power, Works & Housing), Major General Tukur Buratai (Chief of Army Staff) and Alhaji Abba Kyari (Chief of Staff to the President).

    None of the allegations against any of these officials have been thoroughly investigated neither have any of them faced sanctions of any sort. If anything, the Buhari administration has been very dismissive of the allegations and has treated calls for thorough investigations with disdain.

    The attitude of the administration has been very contrasting to its real and perceived opponents. For instance, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode – former spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization – has spent about 90 days in detention (sometimes in underground cells) on allegations of corruption.

    In the same vein, the homes of Justices of the Supreme Court as well as Judges of other Courts were invaded in the middle of the night by officials of the DSS. These judges are currently facing criminal charges on the basis of recommendations by the same DSS of which the Presidency is now so dismissive.

    It is also curious that senior officials and figures of the administration who called for Justices of the Supreme Court to step down while facing trial openly state that Mr. Magu must remain in office in spite of the allegations against him.

    These events lend credence to the view that there is indeed no fight against corruption and that the claims of the Buhari administration to the existence of such a fight is a mere smokescreen designed to cover attacks on any and all opposition to Buhari administration.

    It has been my long held opinion, that the Buhari administration has neither the will nor the know-how required to successfully fight corruption in Nigeria. Sadly, the administration has taken no steps to disprove this opinion.

    Furthermore, it has shown absolutely no indication that it can pursue the systematic & institutional reforms required not only to curb the menace of corruption but to unleash the economic potential of the nation.

  • President Buhari’s speech at ECOWAS 50th Session

    President Buhari’s speech at ECOWAS 50th Session

    President Muhammadu Buhari is presently at the 50th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West Africa, ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government.

    His speech at the summit is as presented below:

    50TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT, 17 DECEMBER 2016, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

    WELCOME STATEMENT BY H.E MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

    It is indeed a great pleasure for me to welcome you to Nigeria and to the 50th Ordinary Session of the Authority and Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

    Allow me to start by congratulating us all for the peaceful elections held recently in the region. This is an indication of the growing commitment of the leadership and the people of the region to the principle of democracy and good governance.

    Accordingly, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to H.E. President Jorge Carlos Fonseca on his re-election as the president of Cape Verde. My congratulations also go to the winner of the Ghanaian Presidential election, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, and to H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama for his display of maturity and statesmanship.

    Permit me to express my deep appreciation to our Chairperson, H.E. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia for the excellent manner in which she has steered the affairs of our Community since assuming the leadership of ECOWAS in June, 2016.

    My appreciation goes to the President of the ECOWAS Commission and his dynamic team for the effective manner in which they have run the affairs of the Community Institutions. I am particularly pleased with the renewed confidence and financial prudence with which the Management of the Commission has handled the affairs of Community Institutions since coming on board in March, 2016.

    Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Since the launch of the ECOWAS Vision 2020 to transform ECOWAS from ECOWAS of States to ECOWAS of peoples, our Community has accomplished remarkable progress in achieving Community objectives for a stable and prosperous West Africa.

    Foremost amongst these achievements is the management of conflicts and the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the region. As we all know, peace and security are the necessary ingredients for development as one cannot exist without the other.

    We have substantially enhanced our capacity for dealing with conflict as amply demonstrated in the quick intervention of the Community to douse tension and restore peace in Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso. The efforts of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, in combatting terrorism in Nigeria and in the neighboring countries, have significantly degraded the capacity of Boko Haram in the region, even though sporadic attacks on soft targets have been recorded in the past few weeks, just as we have sustained the military pressure on the terrorists.

    We have every right to feel proud of these achievements which have moved us to the realization of the objectives for which ECOWAS was established, namely the promotion of peace, security and economic integration. To sustain these gains and manage conflicts more effectively, we need to pay greater attention to conflict prevention mechanisms in the region, as prevention is cheaper in every respect.

    As we deepen our democratic experience, promote good governance and address inequality, I urge us to devote more resources to Early Warning Mechanisms in order to develop an effective Conflict Prevention Strategy. We also need stronger political will for Peace –Keeping Operations in our sub region as we have done in the past.

    On the economic front, we are encouraged with the appreciable efforts being recorded to transform our economies into a regional market by liberalizing trade within the Community and adopting the Common External Tariff (CET), to establish a common Customs Union. Today, we have the single tariff, vis-à-vis the rest of the world, and are currently implementing programmes that are intended to lead us to a single monetary zone and common currency for the fifteen countries of ECOWAS.

    The adoption of a single biometric identity card is also commendable and will facilitate the establishment of a single currency, while engendering Free Movement of Persons. Considerable progress has also been made in the areas of industrial policy, mineral exploitation, agriculture, environment, infrastructure, telecommunications and energy. We also have in place a coordinated capacity to respond to the threat or outbreak of pandemics through the Regional Centre for Disease Control and Surveillance, which is now domiciled in Nigeria.

    Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Our modest achievements in regional integration are being challenged by globalization. Today, most of our countries continue to record low volume of trade, occasioned by declining level of economic activities, caused by the sharp fall in commodity prices. While oil prices fell by an astounding 57 percent between June 2014 and January 2015, other commodity prices have also weakened sharply thereby putting pressure on the current account and fiscal balances of our countries.

    This ugly situation demands that we diversify our respective economies from commodities into other sectors such as banking, construction and telecommunications and most importantly agro–processing, manufacturing and services. As we adjust to a more challenging globalized environment, stronger efforts are required to increase domestic revenue mobilization in our countries and Community Institutions.

    Member States must diversify their economies away from trade in commodities towards developing robust infrastructure that will support manufacturing and industrialization. To this end, I urge the Community to invest more in infrastructure and human resources so as to unleash the potentials that exist in our respective economies and in our peoples.

    Another adverse effect of globalization, which we need to confront collectively, is Climate Change which is affecting our countries in many ways such as desertification, erosion, rise in sea level and flooding. This situation is further worsened by the near absence of response and adaptive capacities in our countries.

    The negative consequences of Climate Change, including the drying up of water bodies are real in the region. For example, Lake Chad, which was once one of Africa’s largest water reservoirs, has over the years shrank to less than 10% of its original size, drastically affecting livelihoods of millions of people living in the Basin. This has resulted in environmental degradation, poverty, underdevelopment and displacement of peoples.

    To reduce the impact of Climate Change in our region, a regional coordination framework is required. Therefore, it is imperative that we embrace long-term measures to develop low carbon and climate resilient development initiatives.

    Furthermore, the Commission’s Department and relevant Institutions responsible for environmental affairs should be strengthened to enable them to combat the effects of Climate Change in the region. Development Partners can also play crucial roles in the fight against Climate Change. Consequently, we must seek closer cooperation with the Development Partners in long-term solutions to combat this phenomenon.

    We also need to make conscious efforts to improve on Governance and accountability at all levels. This calls for the speedy conclusion of the reforms of all ECOWAS institutions to put ECOWAS on a much stronger footing and prepare us for the challenges of such Institutional reforms. To this end, we should ensure that priority is given to the implementation of development programs, while the ECOWAS Parliament should be entrusted with more functions.

    In addition, the cost of governance must be reduced across all ECOWAS Institutions while resources should be devoted to programs and projects that will have direct bearing on the lives of ordinary citizenry and create jobs fast enough to absorb our teeming youth population. In this regard, it is necessary that measures be taken to review the ECOWAS Treaty in order to make ECOWAS responsive to new national, regional and global challenges.

    Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

    Let me end by stating that despite the challenges, our Community remains the envy of the international community. It is therefore imperative that we build on our achievements. As the elected representatives of our people, the region and indeed Africa as a whole look up to us to provide a solid foundation for the political and economic development of the West African sub-region.

    I wish us all fruitful deliberation and a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in advance.

    I thank you.

  • Buhari lauds ECOWAS’s adoption of Single Biometric Identity Card

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended member countries of the Economic Community of West Africa, ECOWAS for adopting single biometric identity card meant to facilitate free movement of persons within the sub-region.

    The president gave the commendation at the ongoing 50th Ordinary Session of the Authority and Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, in Abuja on Saturday.

    He expressed optimism that the single biometric identity card would also facilitate the establishment of a single currency in the sub-region.

    Buhari noted that considerable progress had also been made in the areas of industrial policy, mineral exploitation, agriculture, environment, infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.

    “The adoption of a single biometric identity card is also commendable and will facilitate the establishment of a single currency, while engendering Free Movement of Persons.

    “Considerable progress has also been made in the areas of industrial policy, mineral exploitation, agriculture, environment, infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.

    “We also have in place a coordinated capacity to respond to the threat or outbreak of pandemics through the Regional Centre for Disease Control and Surveillance, which is now domiciled in Nigeria.”

    On climate change, the president stressed the need for collective efforts by leaders in the sub-region to confront climate change.

    According to him, the negative consequences of Climate Change, including the drying up of water bodies are real in the region.

    Another adverse effect of globalisation, which we need to confront collectively, is Climate Change which is affecting our countries in many ways such as desertification, erosion, rise in sea level and flooding.

    “This situation is further worsened by the near absence of response and adaptive capacities in our countries.

    “The negative consequences of Climate Change, including the drying up of water bodies are real in the region.

    “For example, Lake Chad, which was once one of Africa’s largest water reservoirs, has over the years shrank to less than 10 per cent of its original size, drastically affecting livelihoods of millions of people living in the Basin.

    “This has resulted in environmental degradation, poverty, underdevelopment and displacement of peoples.

    He, therefore, stressed the need for a regional coordination framework that to reduce the impact of Climate Change in the sub-region, saying that authorities in the region must embrace long-term measures to develop low carbon and climate resilient development initiatives.

    The president emphasised that the Commission’s Department and relevant Institutions responsible for environmental affairs should be strengthened to enable them to combat the effects of Climate Change in the region.

    He said: “Development Partners can also play crucial roles in the fight against Climate Change.

    “Consequently, we must seek closer cooperation with the Development Partners in long-term solutions to combat this phenomenon.”

    Buhari also remarked that since the launch of the ECOWAS Vision 2020 to transform ECOWAS from “ECOWAS of States to ECOWAS of peoples, our Community has accomplished remarkable progress in achieving Community objectives for a stable and prosperous West Africa.”

    According to him, foremost amongst these achievements is the management of conflicts and the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the region.

    He said that peace and security were the necessary ingredients for development “as one could not exist without the other.

    “We have substantially enhanced our capacity for dealing with conflict as amply demonstrated in the quick intervention of the Community to douse tension and restore peace in Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso.

    “The efforts of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, in combating terrorism in Nigeria and in the neighboring countries, have significantly degraded the capacity of Boko Haram in the region.

    “Even though sporadic attacks on soft targets have been recorded in the past few weeks, just as we have sustained the military pressure on the terrorists.

    “We have every right to feel proud of these achievements which have moved us to the realisation of the objectives for which ECOWAS was established, namely the promotion of peace, security and economic integration.”

    He, however, called on the regional leaders to pay greater attention to conflict prevention mechanisms in the region to sustain these gains and manage conflicts more effectively, saying that “prevention is cheaper in every respect”.

    He also urged them to devote more resources to Early Warning Mechanisms in order to develop an effective Conflict Prevention Strategy.

    “We also need stronger political will for Peace -Keeping Operations in our sub region as we have done in the past,” the president said.

  • Buhari @ 74: Jonathan congratulates PMB

    Former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 74th birthday anniversary which holds today.

    Jonathan also congratulates the president on the wedding of his daughter, Zahra Buhari, to Ahmed Indimi, son of Maiduguri based billionaire businessman, Alhaji Muhammed lndimi.

    In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Ikechukwu Eze and personally signed by Jonathan, the former President simply wrote thus: “On the occasion of your 74th birthday, I write to congratulate and felicitate with you. I pray that this day meets you well and that there shall be many happy returns.

    “I also use this opportunity to congratulate you once more as your daughter, Zahra, is given away in marriage to Ahmed Indimi. May God bless this union and may it bring joy to the couple and their families.

    Always wishing you the best.”

  • Buhari celebrates 74th birthday at Aso Villa in low-key

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday marked his 74th birthday anniversary with a special birthday parade and inspection of the Guard of Honour mounted by the Nigerian Army.

    The low-key event, which took place at the fore-court of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, witnessed the Inspection of Guard by the president.

    The Guard Brigade, headed by the Commander, Brigade of Guards, Brig.-Gen. Musa Yusuf, also performed a Special Birthday Silent Drills, accompanied with special military birthday song in honour of the president.

    President Buhari also cut a birthday cake and released 74 pigeons from a cage as part of the activities marking the anniversary.

    The president also signed birthday anniversary register where he wrote: “I am impressed with the special drills presented by the Guard Brigade.’’

    The service chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; some ministers, including Lai Mohammed and Muhammad Bello of the FCT; Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari; Presidential spokesmen, Mr Femi Adesina and Malam Garba Shehu attended the event.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonishakin, who briefly spoke with State House correspondents, congratulated the president on his 74th anniversary.

    He said: “We are celebrating the birthday of the President and we wish him well and good health.

    “We wish him all the goodness of God as he pilots the affairs of our nation to greater heights.’’

    The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, who also spoke to the correspondents, described President Buhari as “a great man and we are very pleased with his accomplishments over the years.

    “He is a good leader”.

  • Buhari @ 74: Dogara extols PMB, says he is on a mission to rescue Nigeria

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has said President Muhammadu Buhari is on a divine mission to rescue the nation from the brink of collapse and hopelessness.

    In a statement felicitating with the President on his 74th birthday anniversary, the Speaker said Buhari came back to lead Nigeria at a time when the nation was in dire need of purposeful, credible and dynamic leadership.

    Dogara maintained that although the road is rough and turbulent, the journey to greatness and affluence has commenced with the APC government led by President Buhari.

    “We remain eternally grateful to the almighty God for giving us you at this critical period in our nation’s history when the need for a dynamic and purposeful leadership is imperative.”

    “Undoutedbly, you are here on a divine mission to rescue Nigeria from the brink of collapse and hopelessness.

    Though the road is rough and turbulent, we know this is but for a moment as the return journey to prosperity, affluence and greatness has already commenced with you as the chief pilot. This is the journey to ensure Nigeria takes her rightful place in the comity of nations sooner than latter.”

    “As you work hard bring the much needed change to Nigerians, be assured that the House of Representatives is a partner in progress to deliver dividend of democracy to our citizens.”

    Dogara prayed God almighty to grant the President abundant wisdom, strenght, courage and sound health to continue to steer the affairs of “our country aright and take us to the promised land.”

  • Nigeria saves N15.4 billion monthly from fuel subsidy removal – Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the fuel subsidy removal has removed a burden of not less than N15.4 billion monthly from the Federal Government.

    Osinbajo said this in Abuja on Thursday at the 2016 presentation of Scorecard of the Ministry of a Petroleum Resources and Agreements Signing ceremony for Joint Venture Cash Calls (JVC) exit.

    Represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, Osinbajo said that $15 billion would be injected into the sector.

    ”I am pleased to be the special guest of honour at the agreements signing ceremony for Joint Venture Cash Call exit and the announcement of $15 billion investments to be done in the sector.

    ”The oil and gas sector remains very critical to the stability and growth of our economy as it accounts for about 90 per cent of earnings.

    ”Amongst others, the downstream sector has been deregulated with the elimination of petroleum subsidy.

    ”This policy has removed from government, a burden of not less than N15.4 billion monthly,” he said.

    The vice-president said that government had taken steps to raise the domestic refining capacity for petroleum products by repairing the existing refineries.

    ”We have also licensed modular refineries and support the development of private refineries one of which is a 650,000 barrel per day capacity,’’ he said.

    According to him, one of the refineries is nearing completion, adding that when completed, it will restore ‘’our pipeline to facilitate crude and products transportation.”

    He said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved new measures aimed at eliminating the burden of JVC and easing future payments in the upstream sector.

    Osinbajo commended the World Bank on the global initiative to secure the environment by ending and commercialising gas flares.

    ”It will boost the discharge of international obligations by Nigeria on climate change and contribute to our national power generation capacity”.

    He urged other ministries to come up with score cards of their performances in the last year.

    Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said that when he took over the leadership of the ministry, oil sector was losing N1.2 trillion every year and fuel scarcity was common.

    ”Today, we have a situation where refined petroleum consumption has gone down from an all-time high of 40 million litres a day to about 28 million litres a day.

    ”On cash call, the issue was how long the upstream was going to continue to bleed as investments were drying up and activities grinding to a halt.

    ”For the first time in 2017, you are going to see the Ministry driving an effort with the Department of Petroleum Resources to find leakage areas, essential to cover the gap in the 2017 budget.

    ”In the Niger Delta, we have brought the all-time low production of 1.3 million barrels per day (mbpd) to 1.8mbpd but for some minor incidents it would be closer to 2.1mbpd or 2.2mbpd.

    ”We set a zero militancy target in 2017 and we want anything that needs to be done should be done,’’ he said.

    On Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), he said that he was thrust into the chairmanship of the organisation immediately he was appointed.

    He added that he said he had to convince four countries to serve as engine rooms of finding solutions and not bringing the national problems to OPEC.

    In her address of welcome, Dr Jamila Shua’ra, said that ”the year started with refineries producing below capacity, high demand for petroleum products and insufficient supplies at depots, forex shortages.

    ”However, President Muhammadu Buhari believed in our team and our collective ability to find solutions.

    ”Although, it is not Uhuru yet, there are many more rivers to cross. As we speak, aviation fuel remains a challenge.

    ”We are yet to pick maximum capacity in our refineries and there is need for more investors to fund massive infrastructural development in the sector”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that awards were presented to an outstanding staff each from subsidiaries of the Ministry.

  • Boko Haram: Buhari largely responsible for successes recorded so far – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says Nigerian troops have penetrated deep into the Sambisa forest and are already doing well in their operations in the forest.

    Buratai made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja in a remark after he decorated some of the newly-promoted senior officers with their new ranks.

    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the elevation of the senior officers and for the support he had been giving to the Army.

    Buratai described the president’s support as “invaluable’’ and largely responsible for the successes being recorded by troops in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East and other operations.

    “We have resolved to maintain the pressure from all fronts, both in the North-East and southern part of the country, on any form of insurgency and militancy to ensure that our country is safe,’’ he said.

    Buratai noted that there had been “drastic changes’’ in operations and in areas of training, welfare and infrastructure since he assumed duty in 2015 as chief of army staff.

    The army chief charged the newly-promoted officers to rededicate themselves to duty, saying that promotion was a form of motivation and one of the key aspects of officers’ welfare.

    He said that in keeping with his vision of having a professional army to discharge its duty, he had sought to grant promotion opportunities to “serving and deserving’’ officers and soldiers.

    “For those promoted, you are the lucky few ones among many that were presented for consideration this year – 2016.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 21 Majors-General were decorated with their new rank at the occasion.

    Among those decorated with their new rank of Brigadier-General was the army spokesman, Sani Usman.

    NAN recalls that the Army Council had on Dec. 10 approved the promotion of 227 senior officers from various ranks to their next ranks.

    Twenty 21 Brigadiers-General moved to Majors-General, 93 Colonels, including Usman, moved to Brigadiers-General and 113 Lieutenant Colonels moved to Colonels in the exercise.

  • Buhari commends intellectual development of military officers

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the leadership of the Nigerian military for the intellectual transformation of the officer corps.

    The president made the commendation at the decoration of two senior officers, including his Aide-De-Camp (ADC), at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

    The newly-promoted officers include Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Kaita, the Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), and Col. Mohammed Abubakar, the president’s Aide-De-Camp (ADC).

    Buhari expressed happiness with the dazzling array of university degrees they had acquired, saying “modern armies require superiority of intellect and imagination to achieve victory in warfare”.

    He, however, urged all officers to ensure the translation of academic achievements to performance in the field and other places of assignment.

    “I am happy with the intellectual approach of the military.

    “In our time, there was no time for academic pursuit. It was all about war, coups and counter-coups,” he noted.

    Buhari said in times of peace and stability, military officers should use such opportunity to pursue their intellectual transformation which should go side-by-side with hardware transformation of modern armies.

    He urged officers to read History, irrespective of their academic backgrounds, describing it as an important pre-requisite for strategic learning and success in the military.

    According to the president, the good quality of the officer corps of the Nigerian Military calls for good performance.

    Buhari congratulated both officers on their various achievements in their services and charged them to always be mindful of the welfare of those placed under their command.

    Both Kaita and Abubakar have prior to their current assignments served the country in peace-keeping missions abroad and are married with families.

  • Recession: We will cooperate with NASS to fast track recovery-Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to cooperate with the National Assembly in the effort to get the country out of recession.

    The president made this known while presenting the 2017 Appropriation Bill before the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said the executive would take a look at the resolutions of the National Assembly suggesting solutions to the imminent economic problems in the country.

    According to him, the resolutions will be factored into the recovery and growth plans, which the executive has already embarked upon.

    “Permit me to briefly outline a few important features of the plan.

    “The underlying philosophy of our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan is optimising the use of local content and empowering local businesses.

    “The role of government must be to facilitate, enable and support the economic activities of the Nigerian businesses as I earlier mentioned.

    “Fiscal, monetary and trade policies will be fully aligned and underpinned by the use of policy instruments to promote import substitution.

    “Government will, however, at all times ensure the protection of public interest.

    “We will now use oil revenues to revive our agriculture and industries.

    “ Though we cannot control the price of crude oil, we are determined to get our production back to at least 2.2 million barrels per day,’’ he said.

    The president said that in line with suggestions from the National Assembly, the executive would continue its engagement with the communities in the Niger Delta to ensure that there was minimum disruption to oil production.

    He assured that his government would continue its ongoing reforms to enhance the efficiency of the management of our oil and gas resources.

    To this effect, the President noted that from January 2017, the Federal Government would no longer make provision for Joint Venture cash-calls.

    He said going forward, all Joint Venture operations would be subjected to a new funding mechanism, which would allow for Cost Recovery.

    The president stressed that the new funding arrangement would help to boost exploration and production activities.

    The funding arrangement according to him will have resultant net positive impact on government revenues which can be allocated to infrastructure, agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing sectors.

    The president, however, decried the culture of non-implementation of projects, adding that the phenomenon had led to innumerable bureaucratic hurdles in doing business.

    He said to this end, he would issue Executive Orders to ensure the facilitation and speeding up of government procurements and approvals.

    Buhari stated that the Executive Orders would widen the scope of compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act by Federal Government owned entities, while promoting support for local content in Ministries, Department and Agencies.

    “The Executive will soon place before the National Assembly proposals for legislation to reduce statutorily mandated minimum times for administrative processes in order to speed up business transactions.

    “In addition, I have established the Presidential Enabling Business Council, chaired by the Vice President with a mandate to make doing business in Nigeria easier and more attractive.

    “Getting approvals for business and procurements will be simplified and made faster.

    “ In 2017, we will focus on the rapid development of infrastructure, especially rail, roads and power.

    “Efforts to fast-track the modernisation of our railway system is a priority in the 2017 Budget. In 2016, we made a lot of progress getting the necessary studies updated and financing arrangements completed.

    “We also addressed some of the legacy contractor liabilities inherited to enable us to move forward on a clean slate.

    “Many of these tasks are not visible, but are very necessary for sustainability of projects. Nigerians will soon begin to see the tangible benefits in 2017,’’ he said.

    On the state of power supply in the country, he said from assessment conducted, there was the need for more funding of the sector.

    According to him, though the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other Development Finance Institutions have intervened, it is clear that more capital is needed.

    He also said that the problems of liquidity in the sector must be resolved.

    “Government has made provisions in its 2017 Budget to clear its outstanding electricity bills.

    “This we hope will provide the much needed liquidity injection to support the investors.

    “ In the delivery of critical infrastructure, we have developed specific models to partner with private capital, which recognise the constraints of limited public finances and incorporate lendings from the past.

    “These tailor-made public private partnerships are being customised, in collaboration with some global players to suit various sectors, and we trust that the benefits of this new approach will come to fruition in 2017.’’

    He promised that although a lot of problems experienced by his administration were not created by it, it was determined to deal with them.

    The president stressed that one of such issues that the Federal Government was committed to dealing with was the issue of its indebtedness to contractors and other third parties.

    He said government was at an advanced stage of collating and verifying the obligations, some of which dated back ten years, with the estimate of about N2 trillion.

    He promised to continue to negotiate a realistic and viable payment plan to ensure legitimate claims are settled.