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Don’t Abandon Governance For Electioneering, Buhari Warns Ministers, Others
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned ministers, permanent secretaries, and heads of government agencies not to abandon the business of governance for electioneering, saying “any infraction will be viewed seriously”.
Buhari gave the directive in Abuja, yesterday, at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Ministerial Performance Review Retreat, preceded by his signing of Executive Order 012 on Improving Performance Management, Coordination and Implementation of Presidential Priorities.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President told participants at the retreat that with the commencement of campaigns towards the 2023 general election, the business of governance must continue to receive the needed attention during this period.
“Consequently, all ministers, permanent secretaries, and heads of agencies must remain focused in the discharge of their duties, as any infraction will be viewed seriously.
“Our collective goal is to map out a transition plan for the incoming administration to ensure proper documentation of all the policies, programmes, and projects of government with up-to-date status of implementation,” Buhari said.
Buhari noted that the lessons learned in the last three years of implementing the administration’s policies, programmes, and projects would serve as the needed tool to propel every ministry to remain committed, towards the achievement of developmental objectives.
He, therefore, charged all ministers, permanent secretaries, and heads of government agencies to step up, double their efforts, and work in synergy toward total delivery of the administration’s set targets.
On Executive Order 12, the President explained that it would institutionalise a culture of accountability and transparency in the pursuit of good governance.
Buhari further directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, to continue with the quarterly review process and assessment of ministries for the third and fourth Quarters of 2022, saying the reports would form part of transition documents of his administration to the incoming government.
To achieve this objective, Buhari ordered all ministers and permanent secretaries to ensure that the performance reports of their ministries are submitted on a quarterly basis to the Office of the SGF for review by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.
“The outcome of these reviews would be made available for my consideration,” he stated.
The President also declared that following discussion and recommendations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been directed to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure the completion of all large-scale integrated Rice Processing Mills before the end of his administration.
“This will help our country to maintain sufficiency in the local production of rice as the ban on the importation of foreign rice will be sustained,” Buhari said.
On electricity, Buhari directed that all hands must be on deck to ensure timely realisation of the increase in electricity generation to 25,000megawatts in six years.
He recounted that the plan on electricity generation, through the partnership between the Federal Government and German Siemens AG, is on course as the first batch of the transformers has arrived Nigeria already.
Considering the investment made in the rail sector, Buhari directed the Ministry of Transportation and relevant security agencies to ensure the provision of maximum security along the railway corridors.
The President further directed that the Federal Government’s investment in the reconstruction of 21 selected ongoing federal roads totalling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy, must be closely monitored and tracked to ensure the roads are completed on schedule.
“In line with the outcome of the Panel session on Priority 4 (Improve Transportation and Other Infrastructure), the Ministry of Aviation is hereby directed to conclude and ensure the take-off of the National Carrier Project before the end of the year,” he said.
In order to expand the fiscal space and improve the nation’s revenue generation efforts, Buhari directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to ensure effective implementation of the Strategic Revenue and Growth Initiative.
On the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, the President directed that a monitoring and evaluation framework be put in place by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with relevant agencies and partners to track the disbursement and utilisation of the fund.
On humanitarian issues, Buhari noted that in the three years of existence of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the ministry has provided substantial support and assistance to vulnerable citizens through various programmes.
He, therefore, directed the minister to facilitate and work with the Attorney General of the Federation in transmitting the Federal Executive Council’s approved National Social Investment Programme Establishment Bill (2022) to the National Assembly.
This, he said, would ensure the sustainability of this important programme which leaves a lasting legacy for the vulnerable Nigerians by his administration.
On industry, trade and investment, Buhari directed the ministry to engage relevant stakeholders to secure privatisation of the six Special Economic Zones as approved by the Bureau of Public Enterprise.
To complement the current efforts in the oil and gas sector, Buhari announced that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been mandated to ensure the completion of the reorganisation of the new agencies unbundled from the defunct Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation in line with their mandates.
“This should be completed by the end of the 1st Quarter of 2023,” he said.
Buhari also used the occasion to appeal to the National Assembly to fast-track the consideration and passage of key legislative bills as agreed during the Panel Session at the Retreat.
He said: “This will serve as our collective legacy towards entrenching key reforms that will serve as a springboard for the next administration.”
Buhari, however, thanked the former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, the Keynote speaker at the retreat, for sharing his wealth of experience during his tenure in office.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
