President Buhari Democracy Day address to the nation
(Ngeriai) My compatriots, it is one year today since our
administration came into office. It has been a year of triumph, consolidation,
pains and achievements.
``By age, instinct and experience, my preference is to look
forward, to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead and rededicate the
administration to the task of fixing Nigeria.
``But I believe we can also learn from the obstacles we have
overcome and the progress we made thus far, to help strengthen the plans that
we have in place to put Nigeria back on the path of progress.
``We affirm our belief in democracy as the form of
government that best assures the active participation and actual benefit of the
people. Despite the many years of hardship and disappointment the people of
this nation have proved inherently good, industrious tolerant, patient and generous.
``The past years have witnessed huge flows of oil revenues.
From 2010 average oil prices were $100 per barrel. But economic and security
conditions were deteriorating.
``We campaigned and won the election on the platform of
restoring security, tackling corruption and restructuring the economy.
``On our arrival, the oil price had collapsed to as low as
$30 per barrel and we found nothing had been kept for the rainy day. Oil prices
have been declining since 2014 but due to the neglect of the past, the country
was not equipped to halt the economy from declining.
``The infrastructure, notably rail, power, roads were in a
decrepit state. All the four refineries were in a state of disrepair, the
pipelines and depots neglected.
``Huge debts owed to contractors and suppliers had
accumulated. Twenty-seven states could not pay salaries for months. In the
north-east, Boko Haram had captured 14 local governments, driven the local
authorities out, hoisted their flags. Elsewhere, insecurity was palpable;
corruption and impunity were the order of the day. In short, we inherited a
state near collapse
``On the economic front, all oil dependent countries,
Nigeria included, have been struggling since the drop in prices. Many oil rich
states have had to take tough decisions similar to what we are doing.
``The world, Nigeria included has been dealing with the
effects of three significant and simultaneous global shocks starting in 2014:
A 70% drop in oil prices. Global growth slowdown.
Normalization of monetary policy by the United States federal reserve.
``Our problems as a government are like that of a farmer who
in a good season harvests ten bags of produce. The proceeds enable him to get
by for rest of the year. However, this year he could only manage 3 bags from
his farm. He must now think of other ways to make ends meet.
``From day one, we purposely set out to correct our
condition, to change Nigeria. We reinforced and galvanized our armed forces
with new leadership and resources.
``We marshaled our neighbours in a joint task force to
tackle and defeat Boko Haram. By the end of December 2015, all but pockets and
remnants had been routed by our gallant armed forces.
``Our immediate focus is for a gradual and safe return of
internally displaced persons in safety and dignity and for the resumption of
normalcy in the lives of people living in these areas.
``EFCC was given the freedom to pursue corrupt officials and
the judiciary was alerted on what Nigerians expect of them in the fight against
corruption.
``On the economy, in particular foreign exchange and fuel
shortages, our plan is to save foreign exchange by fast tracking repair of the
refineries and producing most of our fuel requirements at home.
``And by growing more food in Nigeria, mainly rice, wheat
and sugar we will save billions of dollars in foreign exchange and drastically
reduce our food import bill.
``We resolved to keep the Naira steady, as in the past,
devaluation had done dreadful harm to the Nigerian economy. Furthermore, I
supported the monetary authority’s decision to ensure alignment between
monetary policy and fiscal policy. We shall keep a close look on how the recent
measures affect the Naira and the economy.
``But we cannot get away from the fact that a strong currency
is predicated on a strong economy. And a strong economy pre-supposes an
industrial productive base and a steady export market.
``The measures we must take, may lead to hardships. The
problems Nigerians have faced over the last year have been many and varied.
``But the real challenge for this government has been
reconstructing the spine of the Nigerian state. The last twelve months have
been spent collaborating with all arms of government to revive our institutions
so that they are more efficient and fit for purpose:
``That means a bureaucracy better able to develop and
deliver policy
``That means an independent judiciary, above suspicion and
able to defend citizen’s rights and dispense justice equitably.
``That means a legislature that actually legislates
effectively and
``Above all; that means political parties and politicians
committed to serving the nigerian people rather than themselves.
``These are the pillars of the state on which democracy can
take root and thrive. But only if they are strong and incorruptible.
``Accordingly, we are working very hard to introduce some
vital structural reforms in the way we conduct government business and lay a
solid foundation on which we can build enduring change.
``An important first step has been to get our housekeeping
right. So we have reduced the extravagant spending of the past. We started
boldly with the treasury single account, stopping the leakages in public
expenditure.
``We then identified forty-three thousand ghost workers
through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information system. That
represents pay packets totalling N4.2 billion stolen every month.
``In addition, we will save Twenty-Three Billion Naira per
annum from official travelling and sitting allowances alone.
``Furthermore, the efficiency unit will cut costs and
eliminate duplications in ministries and departments. Every little saving
helps. The reduction in the number of ministries and work on restructuring and
rationalization of the MDAs is well underway. When this work is complete we will
have a leaner, more efficient public service that is fit for the purpose of
changing Nigeria for the good and for good.
``As well as making savings, we have changed the way public
money is spent. In all my years as a public servant, I have never come across
the practice of padding budgets.
``I am glad to tell you now we not only have a budget, but
more importantly, we have a budget process that is more transparent, more
inclusive and more closely tied to our development priorities than in the
recent past.
``30% of the expenditure in this budget is devoted to
capital items. Furthermore, we are projecting non-oil revenues to surpass
proceeds from oil. Some critics have described the budget exercise as clumsy.
Perhaps.
``But it was an example of consensus building, which is
integral to democratic government. In the end we resolved our differences.
``We have, therefore, delivered significant milestones on
security, corruption and the economy.
``In respect of the economy, I would like to directly
address you on the very painful but inevitable decisions we had to make in the
last few weeks specifically on the pump price of fuel and the more flexible
exchange rate policy announced by the central bank.
``It is even more painful for me that a major producer of
crude oil with four refineries that once exported refined products is today
having to import all of its domestic needs.
``This is what corruption and mismanagement has done to us
and that is why we must fight these ills.
``As part of the foundation of the new economy we have had
to reform how fuel prices had traditionally been fixed.
``This step was taken only after protracted consideration of
its pros and cons. After comprehensive investigation my advisers and I
concluded that the mechanism was unsustainable.
``We are also engaged in making recoveries of stolen assets
some of which are in different jurisdictions.
``The processes of recovery can be tedious and time
consuming, but today I can confirm that thus far: significant amount of assets
have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of
recovery.
``Full details of the status and categories of the assets
will now be published by the Ministry of Information and updated periodically.
``When forfeiture formalities are completed these monies
will be credited to the treasury and be openly and transparently used in
funding developmental projects and the public will be informed.
``On the Niger Delta, we are committed to implementing the
United Nations Environment Programme report and are advancing clean-up
operations.
``I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable
approach to address the issues that affect the delta communities.
Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this.
``The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil
and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the
region in addressing Niger Delta problems.
``If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they
are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and
bring them to justice.
``The policy measures and actions taken so far are not to be
seen as some experiment in governance. We are fully aware that those vested
interests who have held Nigeria back for so long will not give up without a
fight. They will sow divisions, sponsor vile press criticisms at home and
abroad, incite the public in an effort to create chaos rather than relinquish
the vice-like grip they have held on Nigeria.
``The economic misfortune we are experiencing in the shape
of very low oil prices has provided us with an opportunity to restructure our
economy and diversify. We are in the process of promoting agriculture,
livestocks, exploiting our solid mineral resources and expanding our industrial
and manufacturing base.
``That way, we will import less and make the social
investments necessary to allow us to produce a large and skilled workforce.
``Central Bank of Nigeria will offer more fiscal incentives
for business that prove capable of manufacturing products that are internationally
competitive.
``We remain committed to reforming the regulatory framework,
for investors by improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
``Meanwhile, the first steps along the path of
self-sufficiency in rice, wheat and sugar – big users of our scarce foreign
exchange – have been taken.
``The Labour Intensive Farming Enterprise will boost the
economy and ensure inclusive growth in long neglected communities.
``Special intervention funds through the Bank of Agriculture
will provide targeted support. Concerns remain about rising cost of foods such
as maize, rice, millet, beans and gari.
``Farmers tell me that they are worried about the cost of
fertilizers, pesticides and the absence of extension services.
``The federal and state governments are on the same page in
tackling these hurdles in our efforts at increased food production and
ultimately food security.
``I would like to take this opportunity to express my
appreciation for the increasing role that our women are playing in revitalizing
the agricultural sector.
``Modern farming is still hard and heavy work and I salute
our Nigerian women in sharing this burden. In this respect I am very pleased to
announce that the government will shortly be launching the national women’s
empowerment fund, which I have approved to provide N1.6 billion in
micro-finance loans to women across the nation to assist in rehabilitating the
economies of rural communities, particularly those impacted by the insurgency
and conflict.
``With respect to solid minerals, the minister has produced
a roadmap where we will work closely with the world bank and major
international investors to ensure through best practices and due diligence that
we choose the right partners. Illegal mining remains a problem and we have set
up a special security team to protect our assets. Special measures will be in
place to protect miners in their work environment.
``For too long, ours has been a society that neglects the
poor and victimizes the weak. A society that promotes profit and growth over
development and freedom.
``A society that fails to recognize that, to quote the
distinguished economist Amartya Sen “ poverty is not just lack of money. It is
not having the capability to realize one’s full potential as a human being.”
``So, today, I am happy to formally launch, by far the most
ambitious social protection programme in our history.
``A programme that both seeks to start the process of
lifting many from poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunity for
people to fend for themselves. In this regard, Five Hundred Billion Naira has
been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five
key areas. We are committed to providing job creation opportunities for five
hundred thousand teachers and one hundred thousand artisans across the nation.
``5.5 million children are to be provided with nutritious
meals through our school feeding programme to improve learning outcomes, as
well as enrolment and completion rates.
``The conditional cash transfer scheme will provide financial
support for up to one million vulnerable beneficiaries, and complement the
enterprise programme – which will target up to one million market women; four
hundred and sixty thousand artisans; and two hundred thousand agricultural
workers, nationwide.
``Finally, through the education grant scheme, we will
encourage students studying sciences, technology, engineering and maths, and
lay a foundation for human capital development for the next generation
``I would like to pay a special tribute to our gallant men
and women of the armed forces who are in harm’s way so that the rest of us can
live and go about our business in safety. Their work is almost done. The nation
owes them a debt of gratitude.
``Abroad, we want to assure our neighbours, friends and
development partners that Nigeria is firmly committed to democratic principles.
``We are ready partners in combating terrorism, cyber
crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment.
``Following on the Paris Agreement, COP 21, we are fully committed to halting
and reversing desertification. Elsewhere, we will intensify efforts to tackle
erosion, ocean surge, flooding and oil spillage which I referred to earlier by
implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
``We are grateful to the international community notably
France, the US, UK and China for their quick response in helping to tackle the
recent Ebola outbreak in our sub-region.
``We also acknowledge the humanity shown by the Italian and
German governments in the treatment of boat people, many fleeing from our
sub-region because of lack of economic opportunity. We thank all our partners
especially several countries in the EU.
``We appreciate the valuable work that the UN agencies,
particularly UNICEF, ICRC, the World Food Program have been doing. We must also
appreciate the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund and Educate A
Child of Qatar for the excellent work in our health, education and other
sectors.
``Fellow citizens let me end on a happy note. To the delight
of all, two of the abducted Chibok girls have regained their freedom. ``During
the last one year, not a single day passed without my agonizing about these
girls. Our efforts have centred around negotiations to free them safely from
their mindless captors. We are still pursuing that course.
``Their safety is of paramount concern to me and I am sure
to most Nigerians. I am very worried about the conditions those still captured
might be in.
``Today I re-affirm our commitment to rescuing our girls. We
will never stop until we bring them home safely. As I said before, no girl
should be put through the brutality of forced marriage and every Nigerian girl
has the right to an education and a life choice.
``I thank you and appeal to you to continue supporting the
government’s efforts to fix Nigeria.''
*Being the full text of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Democracy Day broadcast on May 29, 2016
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