We’re tackling herdsmen killings
President
Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that he remained focused on delivering his
campaign promises.
Buhari
was elected for a four-year tenure in 2015.
The
three pronge promises are: securing the lives and properties of Nigerians,
halting the pillage of the economy by corrupt public officials and creating
employment opportunities for the youth.
Buhari spoke while receiving the Board of Directors of the
Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) at the State House in Abuja.
He
said the initial economic challenge posed by recession was already dwindling
with the economy smarting out and posting better results on falling inflation
rates, higher foreign reserve and better ranking on ease of doing business.
Quoting
President Buhari at the meeting, presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said: “If
you look critically into the 2018 budget, we have already taken into account
key issues of more stable electricity, construction of roads and rails, and the
airport concession.’’
The
President added that the government would work more to accelerate and increase
momentum in agriculture, power, gas, manufacturing and processing. He commended
the Chinese government for its support in improving infrastructure in Nigeria.
“We
send our gratitude to the Chinese for all their support to Nigeria. Since
Independence, no country has helped our country on infrastructural development
like the Chinese.
“In
some projects, the Chinese help us with 85 per cent payment, and soft loans
that span 20 years. No country has done that for us,’’ he said.
The President assured Nigerians that the rising attacks on
communities by herdsmen would soon be brought under control by security forces
deployed in the vulnerable areas across the country.
He
said the unfortunate incident of attacks, which had resulted in loss of lives
and properties, had already brought sorrow and hardship on many Nigerians, with
the government deeply affected.
President
Buhari said the government would continue to strengthen its relationship with
the NESG, especially in integrating its recommendations into policies that will
improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.
Chairman
of the NESG Board of Directors Kyari Abba Bukar, commended the government for
the “pragmatic approach’’ in engaging with citizens of Niger Delta region which
had translated into steady rise in oil production.
“We
salute your courage in providing support to the states that have had fiscal
challenges. We recognise that without the intervention of the Presidency, many
state governments would have been unable to pay salaries last year,’’ he said.
Bukar
said the outlook on the economy remained upwardly positive, projecting a 3.5
per cent GDP growth, urging the President to pay more attention on the herdsmen
attacks, which could reverse the gains recorded in the agricultural sector.
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