Tomorrow, Sunday May 29, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will clock one year
in office. Kunle Olasanmi in this report looks at the achievements recorded by his government in about 365 days.
On May 29, 2015, during the inauguration of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, hopes were high that the new president and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) will change the fortune of this country for better. The high hopes of Nigerians was as a result of the mis-rule of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 16 years. For this new government, it’s been so far, so good. The people of Nigerian could not have asked for a better deal. The present administration has not disappointed Nigerians with its policies that are peoples oriented.
Below are some of the achievements of this government in office in the last one year.
Insurgency:
During his inauguration speech, the president made it clear that in a few months, the onslaught of Boko Haram will be a thing of the past. He also announced that the military command would be moved to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Headquarter s of Boko Haram. Few weeks later, the president followed his words with action with the total overhaulling of the dysfunctional topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian Military. This later resulted in optimal result and degradation of the Boko Haram terrorists. aside that, it was also able to bring back the country’s hitherto military allies like the United States and UK governments that have always been committing their resources to the fight against the insurgents after previously backing out of negotiations with the previous administration. There is currently no Nigerian territory under the control of the Boko Haram at the moment.
Militancy:
In the last one year, Nigerians have witnessed the complete overhauling of Nigerian Maritime and. Safety Agency (NIMASA). This has been applauded by many, especially the fact that a lot of transformation has taken place since Drm Dakuku Peterside took over as the Director-General. A reverse policy of the past where national infrastructural assets were given to militia leaders to protect as against established bodies like the Nigerian Navy has been stopped. This government has drafted the army to partner with other security agencies in ensuring the security of our national infrastructure and this is already yielding the desired results.
A major ring of pipeline vandals in Lagos state were captured recently in a joint operation by security forces led by the army. The government has also renewed its fight against oil bunkering. The Navy has made tremendous success lately in apprehending vessels used by oil thieves. This operation has improved security on our water ways and it has also helped improve the revenue of government. Deployment of sophisticated weapons to ensure vandalism is contained by setting up a pipeline security force in stamping out the menace.
Internal Security:
In the area of internal security, the technical capacity of Nigeria Police Force has been improved. Unlike what obtains in the past, the police now have a forensic laboratory and a GSM tracking device. Above all, Nigeria now have a more Information Technology integrated Police force. Another area the government has worked on which is worthy of commendation is the restructuring of Nigerian Immigration to stop cross border crimes.It is no longer a secret that the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corp have also become more pro-active in the prevention of pipeline vandalization. There have been the arrests of several pipeline vandals.
Anti-corruption war:
No doubt the anti-graft agencies in the country have become more vobrabt than what it used to be. They are no longer. Toothless Bulldogs has they were known before. Though, many have described the agencies as tools of witch-hunt against the opposition but the question every right thinking Nigerians should ask is whether those arrested are actually involved in corrupt practices. In the last one year, the Anti Money Laundering Act has been amended to strengthen the EFCC and other relevant agencies. The management of EFCC has been changed with the removal of its Executive Chairman and bringing in fresh and vibrant czar of anti-corruption.
Judiciary:
Since the coming of this administration, President Buhari has maintained a clear stance and policy on the rule of law and separation of powers. He has maintained that the rule of law will be followed to the letter throughout his administration and to consolidate a sustainable infrastructure that will stand the test of time. Buhari has beamed his light on strengthening institutions that will continue with the mandate of ensuring law and order in our society.
Having met an almost decaying and inert EFCC, Police Force, and other justice sector institutions, President Buhari has made it a mandate to revive them to standard; by improving their welfare packages, increasing their strength, giving more powers to them, and changing their leadership. In the judiciary specifically, President Buhari has insisted that he cannot fight corruption without an arm-in-arm collaboration of the Executive with this sector.
He has thus sought the help and partnership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria in reforming this sector that will evidently play a prominent role in his fight against corruption and the strengthening of the principles of the rule of law. President Buhari has made it clear that independence of the Judiciary will be sacrosanct. Following the principles of Separation of Powers, President Buhari has re-enforced that while all arms of government should work towards fulfilling the common objectives that have been set out in the Constitution for the well-being and good of all Nigerians, they must nonetheless work independently of the control of the other. They must not be influenced by the political or self-motivated moves of the other in fulfilling their constitutional mandate. This is President Buhari’s philosophy on Separation of Powers.
Economy:
Diversification of Revenue Generation Base Government’s agenda for diversifying Nigeria’s economy is well spelt out in the 2016 Budget. The Agricultural sector has been expanded to generate more employment opportunities, promote exports and generate revenue for the federal government. According to the Agric ministry, all these would be achieved through attainment of self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018, sufficiency in tomato paste by 2016, attaining local production of maize, soya beans, poultry and livestock. Plans are also on ground to make use of 5,000 hectares arable land in 12 River Basin Development Authorities and utilising the available 22 Dams for commercial farming by prospective investors.
Infrastructure:
The completion of the Kaduna-Abuja-Ajaokuta railway lines in 2016 is also worthy of mention. Construction of the Lagos-Kano standard Gauge Rail line and also to finalise the negotiation regarding the Calabar-Lagos rail line. Construction of over 500 new roads across the country.
Oil and Gas:
The government has also developed comprehensive Policy on oil and gas policy a road map for the petroleum industry development diversification and development of a road map for stopping gas flaring in the country. Very soon, the country will begin to to refine it’s petroleum product. This will no doubt ensure increase in domestic supply of refined products and reduce demand on foreign exchange for importing refined products in our country.
Power:
Under President Buhari, the Federal Government agreed to a 50 million Euro (about (N11.15 billion) loan agreement with French government for capacity-building and upgrade of power training facilities in Nigeria. Nigeria signed a $237 million agreement with World Bank to improve power. President Buhari discussed initiatives to bring solar power price down to five US cents per kilowatt hour, (approximately N10) as against the price of 17 US cents (N34) per KW/h tariff in Nigeria fixed at privatisation by the last government with a solar deployment agreement soon to be signed.
Economic Policies:
The Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy introduced by this government has blocked leakages in government business. In blocking identified leakages, the TSA, though not an original idea of this administration, was made a cornerstone of this administration and the result is there for all to see. Over N3 trillion have been saved already and that is huge.
Education:
Since his assumption of political power in the last one year, President Mohammadu Buhari had severally admitted publicly that the standard of education in the country has declined drastically. The recent of this public admission was during the 30th convocation and 40th anniversary of the University of Port Harcourt. Below are some of the robust plans of the President for Nigerian education. Provision of adequate security in the nation’s university: The administration believes that no meaningful teaching, learning and research can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity. For this reason, the government has promised to enhance security situation in all the nation universities to ensure conducive learning atmosphere.
Sports:
This administration has recorded major success in the area of sports. This can be attested to with the prompt release of fund for the preparation of the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil after supplementary budget was approved by National Assembly December 2015. Nigeria’s under-17 National team won the 2015 world cup in Chile. The team was handsomely rewarded by this government at the Aso villa in Abuja. Not only that, the victorious Golden Eaglets that won the maiden edition of the age grade world cup were also reward with cash after being neglected by previous governments in the last 30 years.
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By Kunle Olasanmi
