By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Apparently not satisfied with the negative comments about his government, President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday directed top officials of his administration to defend the government vigorously.
He also asked them not to allow any irresponsible and politically motivated statements to keep spreading falsehoods about this government.
The charge was contained in President Buhari’s speech which he delivered by himself at the second and final day of the First Year Ministerial Review Retreat for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Key Government Functionaries held at State House Banquet Hall, Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, “I have charged all of you to defend the government vigorously and not allow any irresponsible and politically motivated statements to keep spreading falsehoods about this government.
“Information to the public should be better packaged, go on the offensive, we are proud of our achievements and we should blow our own trumpets”, the President charged the participants.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has warned the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that “days of insufficient collaboration, coordination and synergy among implementing ministries, departments and agencies should be over”.
“In this regard, I have directed that essential coordination delivery unit in the office of the secretary of the government of the federation should be revived to ensure we focus on results”, he said.
Some parts of the President’s speech read in parts:
“The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) is to ensure regular reports on progress submitted.I have charged all of you to defend the government vigorously and not allow any irresponsible and politically motivated statements to keep spreading falsehoods about this government.
“Information to the public should be better packaged, go on the offensive, we are proud of our achievements and we should blow our own trumpets.
“Let me also reiterate that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests should be channeled through the Chief of Staff, while all Federal Executive Council (FEC) matters should be coordinated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“I have directed the minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and all other responsible agencies to ensure speedy and timely release of funds to MDAs for implementation of the N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan and the capital projects in the 2020 budget.
“I also enjoined ministers to ensure that funds released are utilized efficiently and transparently in implementing the programmes and projects under the line priorities areas of government.
“I hereby charged the Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and all heads of parastatals to be continuously conscious of their commitment and responsibilities.On behalf of the people of Nigeria, I demand uttermost levels of performance, deliverables and results. I look forward to a result orientated year with tremendous benefits that will continue to change lives of our people positively.
“I don’t think I can finish this speech without one or two digressions, which is specifically to you Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and our supporters. I believe I was about the only African among the less developed countries that the president of the United States invited. And when I was in his office, only he and myself, he looked at me in the face and said why are you killing Christians, if you were the one I wonder how you will react.
…The problem between cattle rearers and farmers which is older than me not to talk of him (President Donald Trump), because I know I am a couple of years older than him, were happening. Climate change, population growth…”, he concluded.
