Highlights as Nigeria’s Ministerial Retreat Ends

13 Oct Highlights as Nigeria’s Ministerial Retreat Ends

The two-day retreat ended yesterday with the closing remarks of President Buhari, which moved it into a walk-the-talk phase.

* He noted that the retreat provided an opportunity to undertake an objective assessment of “our stewardship in line with the contract we signed with the Nigerian people to deliver on our electoral promises.”

* Towards closing gaps in implementation efforts to ensure achievement of set targets by 2023, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is to immediately begin the process of convening quarterly coordination meetings for each priority area to ascertain status of implementation across the nine priority areas, identify bottlenecks, and proffer immediate solutions.

* It is also to immediately commence engagement with stakeholders to agree and push forward a framework for the institutionalisation of the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit.

* The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is to come up with a legislative framework for social protection that also guarantees its funding stream.

*In view of the critical role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in economic growth and development, all bottlenecks that militate against access to government support schemes by SMEs should be removed.

* Government will adopt a holistic approach to industrialisation that is aligned with Nigeria’s aspirations and requirements, working closely with key stakeholders in the private sector.

*The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning is to ensure that all relevant MDAs complete all processes needed for effective take-off of the National Single Window platform by the first quarter of 2022.

*The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund is to continue to support the delivery of legacy infrastructure projects across the country.

* While underscoring the need for synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities, the Federal Government is to implement fiscal measures to improve domestic revenues.

*The Nine Priority areas include building a thriving and sustainable economy, enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction

• Enlarging agricultural output for food security and export as well as attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.
• Expanding transport and other infrastructural development, business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation;
• Access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians.
• Building a system to fight corruption, improve governance and create social cohesion as well as security for all.

* The SGF, Boss Mustapha, and his team, were commended for successfully organising the retreat, as well as inviting resource persons that added immense value to the process.