Presidency reveals President Buhari's 2016 'report card' and it looks GOOD
As Nigeria begins its journey into the new year, the Presidency has released a list of the many achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in the past year.
In a very lengthy article written by Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu, presidency faulted those who criticised President Buhari’s appointments and results, noting that the President is doing well.
The presidency says stopping Boko Haram and fighting corruption and many more are part of Buhari’s 2016 achievements.
Shehu listed the achievements of the president in the last 365 days to include:
1. Defeat of Boko Haram
According to Shehu, the President has recorded a major victory over the insurgents that held parts of north-east captive for a long time.
“To everyone's great relief, security in the country improved significantly but that too came with a number of challenges… The country has been celebrating the "defeat of the Boko Haram" which was officially proclaimed by the office of the Chief of Defense Staff. President Buhari has expressed his pride on the Army’s bravery.
“But Nigeria won this war on the back of a leadership that is strong and decisive; a President that believes that it is important to end terror for peace, which is a prerequisite for development, to be established.”
READ ALSO: ECOWAS leaders arrive Aso Rock, meet Buhari over Gambia (Videos)
2. Rural economy boom
The Presidency saluted President Buhari’s economic policy that provided for an inclusive system in which ordinary Nigerians contributed to the economy.
“In the year 2016, the success of important economic policy decisions of the government began to manifest through the diversification and inclusiveness of the people in the economy.
“There is huge boom in the rural economy mainly following good rains in the year and the government's increasing role in quality control through extension services. It is equally important in this regard that there are willing off takers of farm products.
“Anyone paying attention to the agricultural activity going on in some states in the list of rice growers Ebonyi, Kebbi, Jigawa knows that economic diversification is taking a serious root.”
3. Promoting consumption of locally-made products
The Presidency also saluted the president’s policy that allowed for consumption of Made In Nigeria products.
“As part of the goal of promoting home made goods, all cars and trucks bought by government as approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2016 were supplied by local vehicle assembly plants.”
Garba Shehu chronicled the achievements and presented the President's 'report card'.
4. Improvement in Power supply
The Presidency says under Buhari, the power supply situation in the country has improved and could have been better if not for few challenges.
“The Power Sector which is yet another priority for the administration has made significant advances. But for the pipeline vandalism that has deprived many of the plants of gas, the country's output would have moved up to 6,400 MW.
“Government is also showing the seriousness of a responsible consumer by making a huge provision in the 2017 budget for the settlement of debts owed to power distribution companies.
READ ALSO: 2019 race hots up, as northern politicians scheme to replace Buhari
“The Minister has been doing a lot towards diversification of power sources, talking about an energy mix that incorporates biomass, solar and increased water sources. A lot of ground has been covered towards the realization of the Mambila, 4,000 MW power plant. The highest funds allocation in 2016 went to the roads construction sector because government wanted contractors to return to site and recall staff they had laid off.”
5. Whistleblower protection policy
In the war against corruption, Presidency says the whistleblower policy has helped the country to fight corruption better.
“In the war against corruption, new heights have been reached with the announcement of the whistle blower protection policy. The President has also ordered that the limelight be shone on leaders around him that have been accused of corruption.
“The biggest takeaways in the last twelve months are introduction of the whistleblower program which, by the way has received so much welcome from Nigerians that the website hosted by the Ministry of Finance crashed in few days of its announcement.”
The presidency also recorded reduction in level of armed robbery and fuel queues during the last festive season as well as drop in cattle rustling in the north as part of the many achievements of President Buhari in 2016.
You can read more