President Muhammadu Buhari on
Wednesday presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The meeting, which is the first
under the second term administration of President Buhari, started around 11am
in the Council Chamber with rendition of the National anthem.
In his brief remarks at the
beginning of the meeting, the President charged the ministers that they cannot
afford to fail Nigerians.
Reminding them of the oath they
took three weeks ago, he said they must give selfless service to the nation.
He said “Let me make a few
remarks at the maiden Next Level Federal Executive Council Meeting. The safety,
security and prosperity of Nigeria’s 200 million people are our responsibility,
we must not fail them.”
The President said that Nigerians
voted for him in February 2019 to accomplish three major areas of securing the
nation, diversifying and inclusive economy that will end poverty and fighting
corruption.
According to him, the ministers’
policies, ideas and projects should mainly be tailored to these areas.
He said; “For the new cabinet
members, this weekly meeting presents an opportunity to know your fellow
ministers and exchange ideas with a goal of perfecting our stated policies
which will positively impact on Nigerians. In the recently concluded elections,
the majority of Nigerians who voted for us gave us a clear mandate: A. to
enhance the security of lives and property across the entire country, B. to
create a diversified and inclusive economy that will bring prosperity to all,
and C. to install governance and accountability in our systems and processes,
thereby eliminating corruption.
“Therefore, all ideas and
projects that will contribute to achieving these goals shall be foremost in our
deliberations,” the President said.
Buhari also gave reasons why he
created some new ministries and merged others.
He said “To enhance service
delivery, we decided to restructure some functions which led to the creation of
new ministries to achieve our goal of economic diversification and inclusive
growth.
“For example, we merged the
ministry of finance with that of budget and national planning, we also created
a ministry for humanitarian affairs and disasters management and social
development to fully institutionalized our various interventions that support
some of the poorest and most distressed citizens of our country.
“Furthermore, we split the
ministry of power, works and housing and ministry of transportation and
aviation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our infrastructure
delivery programmes and projects.
“On security, keeping in mind the
need to improve on our achievements we created the ministry of police affairs
with the purpose to oversee the development and implementation of strategies
that will enhanced Nigeria’s internal security in synergy with other security
and intelligence agencies, this will include supporting the re-establishment of
civil authority in the liberated areas of the north east.
“We also created a new ministry
of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, this ministry will manage key
projects and initiatives of the presidency.
“The minister’s the role will
include coordinating of multi-agencies and inter-ministry functions as
designated by the President,” he said.
Stressing that the ministers, who
were reappointed, got the job based on merit due to their performances during
the first term of his administration, he urged all the ministers to redouble
their efforts.
“For returning ministers, my
decision to appoint you is best on merit. During our first term, you executed
your mandate diligently in a patriotic manner. I expect you all to double your
efforts in this second term,” he stated.
The President added; “I have
instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draft a
schedule of ministerial responsibilities for my review and final approval.
“As I said during the recent
retreat, we must work in harmony with each other. Communication and team work
are the hallmarks of success.
“I will conclude by tasking you
all to keep in mind the oath you took in this very room three weeks ago. As a
government our focus must remain that of selfless service,” he said.
At the meeting were the Vice
President, Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss
Mustapha, Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, and National Security Adviser,
Babagana Monguno.
After confirmation of the
appointment of the 43 Ministers by the Senate and two-day retreat in the
Banquet Hall, the ministers were sworn in by the President on the 21st of
August, 2019.
Since the swearing in, the
President gave the ministers some weeks to familiarize themselves with their
ministries.
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