President Muhammadu Buhari on
Friday lamented that the “tardiness in the passage of budgets by the National
Assembly, sometimes lasting seven months,” was a hindrance to project execution
by his administration.
Stressing that the delay was
affecting completion of projects across the country, Buhari urged the
Legislature to put in “more effort to speed up the process.”
He spoke while receiving a
delegation of Eminent and Respected citizens of Niger State led by Lt. Gen.
Garba Duba (Rtd) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and was contained in a
statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina
which was sent to DAILY POST.
Stating that his government’s
achievements in ensuring better roads, rails, power and repositioning of the airports
was in spite of the delays, Buhari urged the National Assembly to be more
understanding and be committed to infrastructural development.
He said, “If the National
Assembly takes seven months to pass a budget, then we should be commended for
the much that we have achieved, and can still achieve.
“I personally feel very
disappointed. I spoke with the leaders of the National Assembly on the issue
that seven months is a long time to work on a budget.’’
The President said ongoing
efforts to improve road, and rail networks across the country will be increased
as infrastructural development remains paramount for improving the livelihood
of Nigerians.
He told the delegation, which
includes Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, military and traditional leaders, that
his administration will pay more attention to the stretch of 2,150km federal
roads in the state.
On security, he said, “We cannot
manage our communities and societies without security. A lot of resources is
being diverted to provide security instead of going into infrastructural
development.’’
The President reassured the
delegation that his administration will stay focused on securing lives and
property, fighting corruption and stimulating the economy for more progress.
He also stated that the Minister
of Agriculture and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria had been
directed to increase monetary supports, through loans, to farmers in the next
farming season, and ensure that farmers are not overwhelmed with the
traditional demand for collaterals.
“Traditional institutions and
families can serve as guarantors because we cannot continue with that colonial
style of asking for collaterals that people don’t have,’’ he added.
The President commended the
Chinese government for accepting to finance 85 per cent of Nigeria’s
infrastructural development need.
“I thank you so much for coming.
It is a good morale booster for me and the country that a State will bring a
strong delegation to show appreciation for our efforts,’’ he said.
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