Buhari Attacks Critics, Says They Make Irresponsible Statements, Spread Falsehoods

….Orders Release Of N2.3tn To MDAs
…..COVID-19 Spreading Poverty -VP

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday hit back at the critics of his administration and its policies, saying that they were only good in making “irresponsible” statements and spreading “falsehoods.”

He said the solution was for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to reply such critics by showcasing the achievements they had recorded so far.

Buhari spoke during the closing ceremonies of the first-year ministerial performance review retreat, which was held at the State House, Abuja.

The retreat had opened on Monday, but Buhari was represented at the opening by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo because he was away to Niger Republic to attend a meeting of the ECOWAS leaders.

However, he showed up on Tuesday to address the closing formalities.

He stated, “I have charged all of you to defend the government vigorously and not allow any irresponsible and politically-motivated statements to keep spreading falsehoods about this government. Information to the public should be better packaged, go on the offensive, we are proud of our achievements and we should blow our own trumpets.”

To aid the work of the MDAs, he directed that the N2.3trillion earmarked for the COVID -19 stimulus plans should be released to them by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

The President spoke further, “I have directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and all other responsible agencies to ensure speedy and timely release of funds to MDAs for implementation of the N2.3tn economic sustainability plan and the capital projects in the 2020 budget.

“I also enjoined ministers to ensure that funds released are utilised efficiently and transparently in implementing the programmes and projects under the line priorities areas of government.

“I hereby charge the 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 utmost levels of performance, deliverables and results. I look forward to a result orientated year with tremendous benefits that will continue to change lives of our people positively.”

He also called for synergy and collaboration in the execution of government programmes, saying, “I have directed that Essential Coordination Delivery Unit in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should be revived to ensure we focus on results. The SGF is to ensure regular reports on progress submitted.”

Buhari also spoke directly to the country’s elite, whom he accused of not judging his administration fairly.

He advised them to have a rethink by making a fair assessment of his performance.

For instance, he recalled that oil production in the country from 1999 to 2014 was 2.1 million barrels per day and sold at an average price of $100, compared to the time he came in 2015 when prices went down.

The President stated, “I want the Nigerian elite, please, encourage them, to judge us fairly…When we came in, it collapsed to $37, $38 per barrel, you know it. And the militants were unleashed on the administration, and the production went down to half a million barrels per day.

“I want you to please reflect, what was the condition of the infrastructure then, in spite of those earnings? The roads, the rail was dead and there was no power, up till now no power; where does the money go?”

He also said he had been fighting corruption, though at a slower speed now than in 1984 because he had to follow democratic principles in pursuing cases.

Buhari, again directed that the Office of the Chief of Staff remained the link for ministers to make meeting requests to see him, while all cabinet matters could go through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“Let me also reiterate that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests should be channelled through the chief of staff, while all Federal Executive Council matters should be coordinated through the secretary to the government of the federation”, he added.

On his part, Osinbajo spoke on how the COVID -19 pandemic had spread poverty in the country, owing to the hard impact the economy felt from it.

He noted that the N2.3tn stimulus package should be implemented speedily to address socio-economic challenges.

“We are already in Day 67 since the plan. Nothing is going to happen by magic, we have to simply do this stuff.

“We have to ensure that we have the money and ensure that day by day, we are measuring our achievements and trying to ensure that we do the things that we need to do. And we simply are not favoured by time, every single day the poverty situation and the economic distortions deepen”, the VP said.