President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja administered oaths of
\noffice on members of the newly constituted Presidential Economic
\nAdvisory Council (PEAC), and also set an agenda of what they should
\naccomplish in the shortest possible time.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a meeting with the 8-man Council chaired by Prof. Doyin
\nSalami, President Buhari charged them to focus on developing reliable
\ndata that will properly reflect what is happening in the country.<\/p>\n
The President who called the task before the PEAC ”most important
\nnational assignment”, said:<\/p>\n
”As you develop your baseline study, I would like you to focus on
\nprimary data collection.<\/p>\n
”Today, most of the statistics quoted about Nigeria are developed
\nabroad by the World Bank, IMF and other foreign bodies.<\/p>\n
”Some of the statistics we get relating to Nigeria are wild estimates
\nand bear little relation to the facts on the ground.<\/p>\n
”This is disturbing as it implies we are not fully aware of what is
\nhappening in our own country.<\/p>\n
”We can only plan realistically when we have reliable data. As you are
\naware, as a government, we prioritised agriculture as a critical sector
\nto create jobs and bring prosperity to our rural communities.<\/p>\n
”Our programs covered the entire agricultural value chain from seed to
\nfertiliser to grains and ultimately, our dishes.<\/p>\n
”As you travel in some rural communities, you can clearly see the
\nimpact. However, the absence of reliable data is hindering our ability
\nto upgrade these programmes and assure their sustainability.”<\/p>\n
The President also used the occasion to set agenda and expectations from
\nthe Council, constituted on September 16, 2019, to replace the Economic
\nManagement Team (EMT).<\/p>\n
On the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), the President told members
\nthat his administration was working to measure the impact of the
\nprogramme targeted at improving the well-being of millions of poor and
\nvulnerable citizens.<\/p>\n
As such, the President said he had directed the new Minister for
\nHumanitarian Affairs to commence a comprehensive data-gathering exercise
\nin all Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the North East.<\/p>\n
”Today, we hear international organisations claiming to spend hundreds
\nof millions of dollars on IDPs in the North East. But when you visit the
\ncamps, you rarely see the impact.<\/p>\n
”In 2017, when the National Emergency Management Agency took over the
\nfeeding of some IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the amount we spent was
\nsignificantly lower than the claims made by these international
\norganisations.<\/p>\n
”Therefore, actionable data is critical to implement effective
\nstrategies to address pressing problems such as these humanitarian
\nissues.<\/p>\n
”I, therefore, look forward to receiving your baseline study as this
\nwill help us shape ideas for a sustainable and prosperous future,” the
\nPresident said.<\/p>\n
On his expectations from the council, the President urged them to
\nproffer solutions on how to move the country and economy forward.<\/p>\n
The President directed the Council to coordinate and synthesize ideas
\nand efforts on how to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10
\nyears, working in collaboration with various employment generating
\nagencies of government.<\/p>\n
”I am told you worked throughout last weekend in preparation for this
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
”I have listened attentively to findings and ideas on how to move the
\ncountry and the economy forward.<\/p>\n
”Yes, Nigeria has exited the recession. But our reported growth rate is
\nstill not fast enough to create the jobs we need to meet our national
\nambition of collective prosperity.<\/p>\n
”Reason being we had to tread carefully in view of the mess we
\ninherited.<\/p>\n
”Many of the ideas we developed in the last four years were targeted at
\nreturning Nigeria back to the path of growth.<\/p>\n
”I am sure you will also appreciate that during that time, our country
\nwas also facing serious challenges especially in the areas of insecurity
\nand massive corruption.<\/p>\n
”Therefore, I will be the first to admit that our plans were
\nconservative. We had to avoid reckless and not well thought out
\npolicies.<\/p>\n
”However, it was very clear to me after we exited the recession that we
\nneeded to re-energise our economic growth plans. This is what I expect
\nfrom you, ” he said.<\/p>\n
President Buhari also assured the Council that the Federal Government
\nwill ensure that all their needs and requests were met before the next
\ntechnical sessions in November.<\/p>\n
He said all key ministries, departments and agencies will be available
\nto meet and discuss with them on how to collectively build a new Nigeria
\nthat caters for all.<\/p>\n
”Now, no one person or a group of persons has a monopoly of knowledge
\nor wisdom or patriotism.<\/p>\n
”In the circumstances, you may feel free to co-opt, consult and defer
\nto any knowledgeable person if in your opinion such a move enriches your
\ndeliberations and add to the quality of your decisions, ” he said.<\/p>\n
Chairman of Council, Professor Salami, said the mandate was about
\n“Nigeria first, Nigeria second, and Nigeria always,” adding that it was
\nabout Nigerians, not as numbers, but as people.<\/p>\n
He added: “Our goal is that the economy grows in a manner that is rapid,
\ninclusive, sustained and sustainable, so that Nigerians will feel the
\nimpact.”<\/p>\n
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja administered oaths of office on members of the newly constituted Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), and also set an agenda of what they should…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":69521,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n