Today, President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja said his administration
remains resolute and focused on delivering on the three-pronged promises
of securing the lives and properties of Nigerians, halting the pillage
of the economy by corrupt public officials, and creating employment
opportunities for the youths.
Receiving the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit
Group at the State House, President Buhari said the initial economic
challenge posed by recession was already dwindling, with the economy
smarting out and posting better results on falling inflation rates,
higher foreign reserve and better ranking on ease of doing business.
“If you look critically into the 2018 budget, we have already taken
into account key issues of more stable electricity, construction of
roads and rails, and the airport concession’’ he said.
The President said the government will work more to accelerate and
increase momentum in agriculture, power, gas, manufacturing and
processing, while commending the Chinese government for its support in
improving infrastructure in Nigeria.
“We send our gratitude to the Chinese for all their support to
Nigeria. Since Independence, no country has helped our country on
infrastructural development like the Chinese. In some projects, the
Chinese help us with 85 per cent payment, and soft loans that span 20
years. No country has done that for us,’’ he said.
The President assured Nigerians that the rising attacks on
communities by herdsmen will soon be brought under control by security
forces deployed to the vulnerable areas across the country. He said the
unfortunate incident of attacks, which had resulted in loss of lives and
properties, had already brought sorrow and hardship on many Nigerians,
with the government deeply affected.
President Buhari said the government will continue to strengthen its
relationship with the NESG, especially in integrating its
recommendations into policies that will improve the livelihood of all
Nigerians.
In his remark, the chairman of the NESG Board of Directors, Kyari
Abba Bukar, commended the government for the “pragmatic approach’’ in
engaging with citizens of Niger Delta region which had translated into
steady rise in oil production.
“Your Excellency, we salute your courage in providing support to the
states that have had fiscal challenges. We recognise that without the
intervention of the Presidency, many state governments would have been
unable to pay salaries last year,’’ he said.
Bukar said the outlook on the economy remained upwardly positive,
projecting a 3.5 per cent GDP growth, urging the President to pay more
attention on the herdsmen attacks, which could reverse the gains
recorded in the agricultural sector.
