The federal government Thursday said the implementation of Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration would provide long-term solutions to Nigeria’s daunting challenges.
It also assured that in no distant time, the trajectory of Nigeria’s socio-economic development would soar higher in the positive territory.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume stated this in Abuja during an inter-ministerial press briefing heralding activities marking the nation’s 64th Independence anniversary.
Senator Akume sympathised with Nigerians over the current economic hardship occasioned by what he called unavoidable government policy choices.
He urged Nigerians to be resolute in this trying moment, adding that the President Tinubu was committed to building strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens.
He said: “Like several other nations, we are currently grappling with diverse challenges but we remain resolute in our inalienable destiny to build a strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens irrespective of status, tribe, religion and creed.
“Let me assure you that this administration shall remain committed to its promise of working sacrificially to deliver the dividends of democracy to every Nigerian citizen.
“This government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through.
“These have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including, the removal of fuel subsidies, that his administration has had to make.
“Notwithstanding the daunting challenges, ceaseless efforts are being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on the short, medium and long-term basis, through diligent implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These Policies and Programs are being implemented for long term solutions to these problems and I assure us all that in no distant time, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the trajectory of our socio-economic development would soar higher in the positive territory.”
The SGF disclosed that “in alignment with the mood of the nation, therefore, I wish to inform you that the President Tinubu has instructed that the 64th Independence celebration should be low-keyed.”
“It is in this context that the program of events have been designed to remind us about our strength when we stay united, our progress despite the challenges, the beauty of our diversity, the quantum leap this administration has taken within the short period in office and the beacon of a better future for all, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
…Highlights achievements
Speaking further, Senator Akume highlighted some accomplishments of the Tinubu administration, which according to him had positively impacted Nigerians.
He said President Tinubu followed through with his promises on easing transportation difficulties Nigerians experienced with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) and the launch of the first phase of thirty buses, powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
According to him, this is work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country.
“The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty percent when fully operational,” he said.
Akume noted that in order to encourage conversion to CNG powered land transportation, government had also commenced the distribution of CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians.
“The benefits of CNG transport system to Nigerians is huge reduction in cost,” he said.
On human capital development, the SGF said the Nigerian Students Loan Fund initiative of the Tinubu administration had disbursed the sum of N2.5 billion to over 22,120 beneficiaries across the nation’s higher institutions.
According to him, “this is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students.”
…Rising food prices
On the rising prices of food, Akume said the government had reduced tariffs on importation of certain categories of food in order to crash prices.
“One of the major issues (challenges) facing Nigerians is rising food prices. To bolster food security, availability and ensure affordability of food, government has removed tariffs on the importation of certain categories of food.
“In addition government has distributed fertilizers, farm inputs and other critical items to boost food production,” he said.
…Idris on policy implementation
Earlier in his remarks, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said President Tinubu was implementing series of transformative policies and reforms designed to address the missteps of the past, and set Nigeria to emerge as a formidable economic superpower in the near future.
He said: “Under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, we have initiated transformative policies and reforms aimed at correcting the missteps of the past and repositioning Nigeria as an economic superpower in the near future. Despite global economic headwinds and the transitional pains accompanying some of the reforms, the President has remained focused in his efforts towards reviving our economy and returning the country to the path of prosperity and sustainable growth.”
Idris also said that in a groundbreaking effort to transform rural socio-economic development in Nigeria, the Tinubu administration successfully sought and obtained a landmark Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local governments.
That singular decision, he said, “ensures that elected Local Government Administrations now have direct fiscal control, which will intimately enhance grassroots governance and development while promoting greater effectiveness and accountability in local governance.”
“In addition, a lot of work is going towards ensuring macroeconomic stability, stabilizing the foreign exchange regime, reforming the tax system to make it more efficient, and less burdensome on Nigerians, repositioning our oil and gas sector to attract new investment, and prioritizing the diversification and expansion of government revenues,” he stated.
The minister added that Tinubu was gradually guiding Nigeria into a unique energy transition phase through the launch of the presidential initiative to move the country from fossil fuels to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a fuel for vehicles and machinery.
He acknowledged that “the ongoing rollout of CNG and associated infrastructure is reducing transportation costs for Nigerians by up to 60 percent, creating jobs, and attracting tens of millions of dollars in local and foreign investment.”
“In multiple ways the President is focused on putting more money in the pockets of the Nigerian people, and creating avenues for sustainable prosperity,” he said.
On the 64th independence anniversary, the minister said it “is a time of reflection, celebration, and renewed hope,” stressing that “so far, Nigeria has demonstrated resilience, strength, capacity, and an unyielding spirit in the face of numerous and daunting challenges.”
Idris recalled that “since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has evolved from a nation of hope and potential into a leading force on the African continent and a respected voice in the global community and that despite numerous trials, the nation always emerges stronger through the citizens’ shared unwavering vision of a united and prosperous country.”
The minister commended Nigerians for their patience and resilience in this very difficult period in the evolution of the nation’s economy, noting that the journey had been tough but that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
He said with the recent ratification of the National Values Charter by the Federal Executive Council, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation would now commence the implementation of the Charter in line with the President’s commitment to fostering moral, ethical, and cultural reawakening.
“The charter will bolster the conviction that the things that unite—our sense of nationhood, our obligations to our country, and its obligations to us-will always be stronger and deeper than what may wish to divide us,” he said.