Buhari opens Ministers’ performance retreat amid sack speculations

By LEON USIGBE, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, declared open the mid-term ministerial performance review in Abuja, sparking uncertainly among his cabinet and other top government officials as to what lies ahead of them.

The assessment, which is for ministers, permanent secretaries and top government officials, is for two days.

In sacking the former ministers of power, Saleh Mamman, and his agriculture counterpart, Sabo Nanono, on September 1, the president had warned that exercise would be a continuous process.

Presidency sources say that the president may be awaiting the outcome of the ongoing assessment to determine his next step, which, the sources affirmed, may involve another tinkering of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in the home stretch of the administration.

Speaking at the ceremony at the State House Conference Hall, he said he would stay throughout the two days of the event to listen to all cumulative assessments over the last two years and some months.

He recalled his previous assertion that over two years into his second term, the tradition of subjecting his government’s projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review had taken firm roots through sector reporting during cabinet meetings and at Retreats.

The president warned all ministers and permanent secretaries to take seriously all issues relating to the implementation of their mandates towards the attainment of the laudable objectives of this government.

The president added: “I am glad to note that, over the past two years, Ministers have rendered reports to the Federal Executive Council on their activities related to the achievement of their Ministerial Mandates.

“Some of the notable achievements include the establishment of InfraCo Plc in 2020, as a world-class infrastructure development vehicle, wholly focused on Nigeria, with combined debt and equity take-off capital of N15 trillion, to be managed by an independent infrastructure fund manager.

“These steps have helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps as well as build cohesion and synergy in governance, to manage the economy and improve the delivery of public goods and services to Nigerians.”

The president unveiled the Presidential Priorities Performance Management System and Dashboard, which has been in effect since January this year, saying that it had provided him with the opportunity to track projects in real-time with live data.

He explained: “In our continuing drive to ensure accountability, we have incorporated a Performance Management Framework into the functions of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit for ease of tracking of the Ministerial Deliverables along the lines of the 9 priority areas of this administration.

“This initiative has provided me with the opportunity to track the performance of all Ministries and by extension my Administration.

“This process has been in effect since January 2021 and today it gives me great pleasure to unveil the Performance Management System and Dashboard to track projects in real-time with live data and early warning system to proactively resolve bottlenecks.”

President Buhari also said on the occasion that he has instructed the Ministry of Defense to create a modest military-industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces.

According to him, the establishment of the industrial complex, which would be implemented under the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), would address Nigeria’s over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics.

The president expressed delight that in efforts to strengthen national security, Nigeria has recently received six A-29 Super Tucano that is now being used for training, surveillance and attack by the military.

He stated: “As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the Federation; and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.

“We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide.

“To address our over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics, I have instructed the Defense Ministry to create ‘a modest military-industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces. This is being implemented under the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.

“It is gratifying to note that only recently, we received six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft as part of our efforts to boost the nation’s campaign against insecurity. The propeller-driven aircraft are being used for training, surveillance and attack by the Military.”

The president also assured Nigerians that the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other key projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), would be completed within the second term of this administration.
President Buhari used the occasion He used the occasion to highlight some of his government’s notable achievements in the last two years including accomplishments in the areas of infrastructure, transportation, economy, electricity supply, the petroleum industry, among others.

He said: “On transportation, we are growing the stock and quality of our road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure.

“The PIDF projects are also advancing remarkably. These include the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 375 km Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Expressway and the East-West Road. Most of these projects are expected to be completed within this 2nd term of our Administration.”

He also pointed out that his administration had made tremendous progress on railway projects in the country, noting that upgrading of the railway network is being extended with the recent completion of the Lagos – Ibadan line.

According to him, “The Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line has finally been completed and commissioned after 30 years of its conception.

“Work is expected to commence very soon on the Port-Harcourt Maiduguri line and Calabar – Lagos Coastal Line to connect the Southern and Eastern States of our Country. Progress is also being made on the upgrading of our airports, with the state-of-the-art facilities in line with world-class safety standards.”

On the economy, the president said the nation witnessed three consecutive quarters of growth, after negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

“The GDP grew from 0.8 per cent in 2017 to 2.2 per cent in 2019, but declined in the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the downward trend in global economic activities triggered by the COVID-19 Pandemic. As at Second Quarter 2021, GDP growth rate was at 5.01 per cent, the highest since the inception of this Administration,” he added.

On the power sector, President Buhari noted that the implementation of a “Willing Buyer-Willing Seller” Policy has opened opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to underserved homes and industries.

He expressed the hope that the execution of critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, will result in achieving the national goal of improved power supply by 2025.

Addressing the issue of the Petroleum Industry Act signed into law on 16th August 2021, the president reiterated his directive to the Implementation Committee to complete all processes for the successful operationalization of the Act within 12 months.

In efforts to empower the youth and other vulnerable groups by enhancing investments in the Social Intervention Programmes, the president said he has approved the expansion of the National Social Register (NSP) by 1 million additional households.

The NSP is the official database for the implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.

“We have established the N75 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund created to boost the Nigerian economy through leverage and access to finance for youths.

“The Fund should serve as a catalyst to unleash the potential of the youth and to enable them to build businesses that will stimulate economic growth and create jobs. These accomplishments are a testament to the fact that all hands are on deck in establishing a solid foundation for even greater successes in future,” he said.

In his opening address, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said the administration had approved 878 contracts in the past six years, adding that most of the contracts are targeted at the country’s infrastructure, to boost economic growth and development.

According to him, the last two years had been the most productive for the Federal Executive Council in the life of the administration.

He said: “During this 2nd Term of Mr President from May 29, 2019, to August 31, 2021, the Federal Executive Council held 52 Meetings and granted 579 Approvals comprising of 381 Contracts, 110 Policies and 88 Briefs/Notes.

“Overall, the total number of Contracts, Policies and Briefs/Notes approved by the Federal Executive Council between November 2015 and August 2021 stand at 1,403 comprising of 878 Contracts, 319 Policies and 206 Briefs/Notes.

“From the above, the 878 Contracts approved by FEC have mostly targeted the provision of infrastructure, geared towards enabling faster economic growth and development.

“In the same vein, the analysis also shows that the Government remained focused on its cardinal responsibility of responsively addressing the myriads of needs and challenges of its citizens through the 319 approved Policies initiated during the period.

“The details of this data are contained in the newly developed Compendium of FEC Approvals from November 2015 – August 2021.” (Nigerian Tribune)