Buhari lists plans, accomplishments at Independence

President Muhammadu Buhari heralded his 55th Independence Anniversary address to the nation yesterday, listing his plans and accomplishments in key areas such as the war against insurgency and corruption, appointment of a cabinet and efforts at revamping the economy.

On the long awaited cabinet appointments on which he has been severely criticised, Buhari said the “first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate,”  and that subsequent lists would be forwarded in due course.

He added, “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 is all about.”

On the battle against insurgency, he said, “you know, I toured the neighbouring countries, marshalled a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram.

“Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely 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.”

On power, he observed that, “government officials have 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. In the meantime, improvement in the power supply is moderately encouraging.

“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.

Buhari further observed that “preliminary steps have been taken to sanitise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum.

“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.”

He recalled that he had ordered for a complete audit of the countries 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.”

The president also pointed out that “at an early stage, the Federal Government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.”

The President re-assured that he bore no ill will against anyone on past events and that nobody should fear anything from him. “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.”

He further said that “no temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honouring 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. We have in addition, arable land, water, forests, Oil and gas, oastline , solid minerals.”

He said Nigeria has 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.