PROTOCOL
We are here today to launch a book that showcases the numerous achievements of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
2. The essence of this book is to let the world know that despite those who are daily trying to muddle the waters, this Administration has, through fidelity to discipline, determination and transparency, recorded landmark achievements that are putting our country on the path of sustainable growth.
3. The achievements contained in the book, many and diversified as they are, are not exhaustive. This book was to have been launched on the 29th of May 2017. That’s over five months ago. Between then and now, many more achievements have been added to the pile.
4. Taking a broad view, this Administration is delivering in the broad areas that form the plank of its policies: Security, fightagainst corruption and the economy, which includes the massive provision of infrastructure, ease of doing business and agriculture, just to mention a few.
5. Devoid of rhetorics, here are some quick facts, at random:
– SECURITY: Angela Jessica, a London-based Public Affairs Commentator, said in her contribution in the Vanguard newspaper of the 10th of November 2017 and I quote: ”Once upon a time, Abuja was always under attack under Boko Haram insurgents. The United Nations House was bombed. The headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force was attacked. Two bombs exploded at a crowded bus station in Nyanya. ThisDay newspaper office in Abuja was attacked. And much more. Residents of the Nation’s
capital lived in fear. Some relocated, and some took extra caution.
During that period Nigeria itched towards anarchy. Nobody knew when the next bomb would detonate in Abuja. We lived in constant fear of the unknown. Let us learn to call a spade a spade if we are desirous of moving forward as a nation. You might not like President Muhammadu Buhari’s face. But you cannot deny that he has shown how nothing speaks louder than the bottom line in this instance? And what is the bottom line in this instance? Your guess is good as mine ….. no meaningful development could be achieved without adequate security’‘
– POWER: When this Administration assumed office on 29 May 2015, available power on the grid totalled 2,690MW, transmission capacity was around 5,000MW and distribution capacity was 4,000MW. As at September 2017, the available power that can be put on the grid was 6,619MW; the transmission capacity was simulated at 6,700 MW (up from 5,000 MW in 2015) and the distribution capacity was 4,600 MW, Recall that on Sept. 12th, 2017, production of power reached an all-time level of 7,001MW.
– INFRASTRUCTURE: The immediate past Administration spent 18 billion Naira on roads, 5 billion Naira on power and 1.8 billion Naira on Housing in 2015. This Administration, despite dwindling resources, spent 198.25 billion Naira on roads, 91.2 billion Naira on power and 71.559 billion Naira on housing in 2016. – We constructed or rehabilitated 766 kilometres of roads across the country in 2017.
– ECONOMY: Headline inflation has fallen for the eighth consecutive months this year. Foreign reserves are up to $34 billion, from $24 billion a year ago
– Nigeria is out of recession and the economy is on the growth trajectory again, after the economy contracted for five consecutive quarters.
– Despite the downturn in oil prices, this Administration was able to invest an unprecedented sum of over 1.2 trillion Naira in capital projects through the 2016 Budget, the highest ever in the history of this country.
– Our Sovereign Wealth Fund, which was established in 2011 with US$1 billion, did not receive additional investment for 4 years when oil prices were as high as US$120 per barrel. This Administration was able to invest an additional US$500 million into the Fund.
– Stability has been restored to the foreign exchange market.
– Recently, we achieved a positive movement in the World Ease of Doing Business Index, moving 24 places to 145th position in 2017. Nigeria is among the top 10 reforming countries in the world.
– Fifteen (15) moribund Fertilizer Blending Plants have now been revived and in operation across Nigeria, under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, creating 50,000 direct jobs and 70,000 indirect jobs?
– WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION: Never before, in our history, have so many people being hauled before the courts to account for their alleged roles in the unprecedented looting of our commonwealth. Corruption is no longer possible on the table. It has been driven under, with those still engaged constantly being made to watch their backs.
– Finally, our Social Investment Programme is a roaring success.
a. Over 4.5 million pupils in public schools are being fed under the School Feeding programme;
b. Over 200,000 unemployed graduates have been employed under the N-Power Scheme
c. Over 250,000 enterprises have benefitted from the sum of 12.5 billion Naira, which has been disbursed to entrepreneurs to expand their businesses
d. Over 110,000 households are currently benefitting from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme across the country.
6. All these and many more achievements were recorded in just a little over two years, amid a terrible economic downturn and an empty purse foisted on us by those who monumentally mismanaged the economy.
7. The book to be launched today, the first in a series, will reveal many more achievements. I will leave the Reviewer, Prince Tony Momoh, to do justice to the book, in his usual painstaking style. It is now my pleasure to invite the Reviewer to the podium
8. I thank you for your kind attention
