revenue generating agencies in the country as a clean up measure and
to make them more efficient.
Top on the list of the agencies are the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Inland Revenue
Service, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigerian
Customs Service.
PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how former President
Goodluck Jonathan had authorized the withdrawal of N67.2billion in
cash from the Central Bank of Nigeria in the build up to the 2015
general elections.
The amount were said to have been carted away from the bank in
bullion vans.
At his first Independence Day nationwide broadcast on Thursday, the
President said the probe of the revenue generating agencies, including
the CBN, became necessary following noticeable widespread
corruption in the agencies.
“Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitize NNPC and improve its
operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to
a minimum,” Mr. Buhari said.
“Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into
partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the
whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished
products in dubious transactions could be stopped.
“In addition to NNPC, I have ordered for a complete audit of our
other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC,
for better service delivery to the nation.
“Prudent housekeeping is needed now more than ever in view of the
sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to
face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how
we manage our resources that is important.
“We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were
mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is
embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public
financing.”
He said at the inception his administration in May, a number of
problems were inherited and that he was aware that Nigerians
wanted quick solutions not the resolution of the problems.
Mr. Buhari said he had, after consultations, got down to work
immediately on the medium term and long term problems which
must be tackled if his government must continue to enjoy the
confidence of the people.
He expressed delight that the nation’s armed forces had taken the
battle to the domain of the Boko Haram insurgents and substantially
weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities.
“Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run. That they are
resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P. camps is
indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed
security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable
places,” he said.
The President noted that this success was made possible after
marshaling an international coalition of armed forces of five
neighbouring nations, G7 leaders as well as other friendly nations to
confront and defeat Boko Haram.
On power, Mr. Buhari said government officials held a series of long
sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the
nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost effective way.
According to him, improvement in the power supply is moderately
encouraging and by the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to
the public has improved throughout the country.
“All the early signs are that within months the whole country would
begin to feel a change for the better,” he said.
Mr. Buhari said his government was able to address the issue of
salary arrears owed by state governments to their workers, saying the
APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the
states.
On ministers, the President pointed out that there was a lot of anxiety
and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers
even when there was no cause to be anxious.
“Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We
received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only
four days before taking over,” he said.
“Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its Report on
the reorganization of Federal Government structure after studying the
hand over notes.
“It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the
government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally
carry the burden of governance.
“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial
nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate. Subsequent
lists will be forwarded in due course.
“Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful
and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And
better results for our country is what the APC government for Change
is all about.”
Mr. Buhari said for Nigeria, October 1st a day for joy and celebrations
whatever the circumstances, recalling that 55 years ago the country
was liberated from the shackles of colonialism and began her long
march to nationhood and greatness.
“No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from
honoring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given
us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth
most populated country on the planet,” he enthused.
He said besides population, Nigeria was blessed with arable land,
water, forests, oil and gas, coastline and solid minerals.
“We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet
because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the
fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not
only more orderly political evolution and integration but also
continuity and economic progress,” he said.
“Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by
greater coherence and unity of purpose.”
Mr. Buhari noted that it was an achievement that the country had
remained united and that should be appreciated, while consolidating
the fledgling democracy.
“The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government
in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our
democratic system,” the President said.
“Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President
Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving
the country untold consequences.”
He reiterated that he bore no ill will against anyone on past events,
stressing: “Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after
anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I
hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me
in working for the nation.”
While wishing Nigerians a happy independence celebrations,
President Buhari admonished Nigerians to appreciate the fact that it
would take the combined efforts of all Nigerians to bring about
change.
“We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and
public trust. We must change our unruly behavior in schools,
hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and
offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being
law-abiding citizens,” he said.
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