By Abdullahi Muhammed
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday directed Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and heads of all government agencies to implement policies that would better the livelihood of Nigerians.
The president gave the directive at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while closing a two-day retreat organised by the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, to assess the performance of government in the last one year.
He said the current administration cannot afford to fail Nigerians who invested their trust in the government.“I am hereby charging Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and all heads of parastatals, to be continuously conscious of their commitment and responsibilities. On behalf of the people of Nigeria, I demand the uttermost level of performance, deliverables and results.I look forward to a result orientated year with tremendous benefits that will continue to change the lives of our people positively,” he said.
He said the present administration, under his leadership, has learnt lessons in the last one year that would further enhance its performance.
He called for more collaboration and synergy among government agencies so as to enhance development in the country.“I am confident that the lessons we have learnt in the last one year of implementation of policies, programmes and projects, deliberations and resolutions form the different sessions as well as experience sharing from various speakers, will serve as the needed tool to propel every ministry to the next level of achievement.
“More importantly, the trust reposed in us by Nigerians remain the ultimate driving force. We cannot afford to lose focus, regardless of the challenges. Our eyes must therefore remain fixed on the ultimate goal.
“More than ever before, I charge us to play as a team, because that is what we are; to this end, the days of insufficient collaboration, coordination and synergy among implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies should be over,” he said.
The president also directed the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation to reactivate its Central Delivery Coordination unit to enhance performance.
“In this regard, I have directed that the Central Delivery Coordination unit in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should be revived to ensure the much-needed synergy and focus on results. The Secretary to Government of the Federation is to ensure regular reports on progress are submitted,” he said.