{"id":11775,"date":"2016-10-01T15:59:16","date_gmt":"2016-10-01T15:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/ng\/?p=3086"},"modified":"2016-10-01T15:59:16","modified_gmt":"2016-10-01T15:59:16","slug":"nigerias-56th-independence-anniversary-i-will-revive-the-economy-restore-naira-value-drive-away-hunger-from-our-land-president-buhari-lament-i-know-hard-times-many-hard-individuals-fam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/nigerias-56th-independence-anniversary-i-will-revive-the-economy-restore-naira-value-drive-away-hunger-from-our-land-president-buhari-lament-i-know-hard-times-many-hard-individuals-fam\/","title":{"rendered":"NIGERIA&#8217;S 56TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY:  &#8216;I Will Revive the Economy, Restore Naira Value, Drive Away Hunger from our Land&#8217; -President BUHARI *Lament: &#8216;I Know Hard Times Many Hard Individuals, Families are Passing through&#8217; *Says: &#8216; Temporary Problems Should Not Blind or Divert us from the Corrective Course&#8217; * Echoes: &#8216;We Defeated Boko Haram last December, Terrorists Are Cowards&#8217; *States: &#8216;My Administration Will Not Allow Niger Delta Militants to Hold us to Ransom&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>NIGERIA&#8217;S 56TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY:<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> <span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><b>&#8216;I Will Revive the Economy, Restore Naira Value, Drive Away Hunger from our Land&#8217; <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>-President BUHARI<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>*Lament: &#8216;I Know Hard Times Many Hard Individuals, Families are Passing through&#8217;<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>*Says: &#8216; Temporary Problems Should Not Blind or Divert us from the Corrective Course&#8217;<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>* Echoes: &#8216;We Defeated Boko Haram last December, Terrorists Are Cowards&#8217;<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>*States: &#8216;My Administration Will Not Allow Niger Delta Militants to Hold us to Ransom&#8217;<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/buhari-final-2.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3087\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3087\" src=\"http:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/buhari-final-2-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"buhari-final-2\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>BY SAMSON SHOAGA\/<\/b><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><i><b>MANAGING EDITOR <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><b>presently in Abuja<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b>AFRICA&#8217;S MOST POPULOUS BLACK NATION, Nigeria today marks her 56<\/b><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><sup><b>th<\/b><\/sup><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b> day Independence Anniversary. Nigeria&#8217;s President, Muhammadu Buhari has outlined some policies his administration has put in place to drive away hunger from the land, strengthens the nation&#8217;s currency (Naira), revive the economy and finally stop terrorism in the country. <\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b>In a remarkable speech, President Buhari addressing millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora explained that \u201cToday \u2013 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires \u2013 freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b>On tough times Nigerian are facing daily, he said: \u201cI know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real. For some It means not being able to pay school fees, for others it&#8217;s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic.<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>But let me say to all Nigerians today, I ran for office four times to make the point that we can rule this nation with honesty and transparency, that we can stop the stealing of Nigeria&#8217;s resources so that the resources could be used to provide jobs for our young people, security, infrastructure for commerce, education and healthcare. I believe that this recession will not last. I ran for office because I know that good government is the only way to ensure prosperity and abundance for all. I remain resolutely committed to this objective.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Temporary problems should not blind or divert us from the corrective course this government has charted for our nation. We have identified the country\u2019s salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions. To re-cap what I have been saying since the inception of this administration, our problems are security, corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of poverty.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b>On Security, President Buhari states that: \u201cOn Security, we have made progress. Boko Haram was defeated by last December \u2013 only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent men, women and children. Nigerians should thank our gallant men of the Armed Forces and Police for rescuing large areas of the country captured by insurgents. Now, residents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, as well as several neighbouring states go about their daily business in relative safety. People can go to mosques, churches, market places in reasonable safety. Commuters can travel between cities, towns and villages without fear. Credit for this remarkable turn-round should go to our Armed Forces, the Police, various sponsored and private vigilante groups, the local traditional leaders. Security is a top to bottom concern and responsibility.<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b>On Boko Haram defeat, Nigeria&#8217;s President says \u201cBesides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling, kidnappings. This Administration is firmly resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them. A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta Militants. This Administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom. What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result? What logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced?<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>No group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the Federal Government and succeed. Our Administration is fully sympathetic to the plight of the good people of Niger Delta and we are in touch with the State Governments and leaderships of the region. It is known that the clean-up of the Ogoniland has started. Infrastructural projects financed by the Federal Government and post amnesty programme financing will continue.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><b>On war against corruption, Buhari states: \u201cWe have however, continued to dialogue with all groups and leaders of thought in the region to bring lasting peace. Corruption is a cancer which must be fought with all the weapons at our disposal. It corrodes the very fabric of government and destroys society. Fighting corruption is Key, not only to restoring the moral health of the nation, but also to freeing our enormous resources for urgent socio-economic development. In fighting corruption, however, the government would adhere strictly by the rule of law. Not for the first time I am appealing to the judiciary to join the fight against corruption.<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The Third Plank in this Administration\u2019s drive to CHANGE Nigeria is re-structuring the economy. Economies behaviour is cyclical. All countries face ups and downs. Our own recession has been brought about by a critical shortage of foreign exchange. Oil price dropped from an average of hundred USD per barrel over the last decade to an average of forty USD per barrel this year and last.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Worse still, the damage perpetrated by Niger Delta thugs on pipelines sometimes reduced Nigeria\u2019s production to below One million barrels per day against the normal two point two million barrels per day. Consequently, the naira is at its weakest, but the situation will stabilize.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #444444;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI<br \/>\nON 56TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY.<br \/>\nOCTOBER 1ST 2016<\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Today \u2013 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires \u2013 freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>2. I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real. For some It means not being able to pay school fees, for others it&#8217;s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>3. I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1d2129;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>4.<\/b><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>But let me say to all Nigerians today, I ran for office four times to make the point that we can rule this nation with honesty and transparency, that we can stop the stealing of Nigeria&#8217;s resources so that the resources could be used to provide jobs for our young people, security, infrastructure for commerce, education and healthcare. <\/b><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>5. I ran for office because I know that good government is the only way to ensure prosperity and abundance for all. I remain resolutely committed to this objective.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>6. I believe that this recession will not last.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>7. Temporary problems should not blind or divert us from the corrective course this government has charted for our nation. We have identified the country\u2019s salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>8. To re-cap what I have been saying since the inception of this administration, our problems are security, corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of poverty.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>9. On Security, we have made progress. Boko Haram was defeated by last December \u2013 only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent men, women and children.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>10. Nigerians should thank our gallant men of the Armed Forces and Police for rescuing large areas of the country captured by insurgents. Now, residents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, as well as several neighbouring states go about their daily business in relative safety. People can go to mosques, churches, market places in reasonable safety.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>11. Commuters can travel between cities, towns and villages without fear. Credit for this remarkable turn-round should go to our Armed Forces, the Police, various sponsored and private vigilante groups, the local traditional leaders. Security is a top to bottom concern and responsibility.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>12. Besides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling, kidnappings. This Administration is firmly resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>13. A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta Militants. This Administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>14. What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result? What logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>15. No group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the Federal Government and succeed. Our Administration is fully sympathetic to the plight of the good people of Niger Delta and we are in touch with the State Governments and leaderships of the region. It is known that the clean-up of the Ogoniland has started. Infrastructural projects financed by the Federal Government and post amnesty programme financing will continue.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>16. We have however, continued to dialogue with all groups and leaders of thought in the region to bring lasting peace.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>17. Corruption is a cancer which must be fought with all the weapons at our disposal. It corrodes the very fabric of government and destroys society. Fighting corruption is Key, not only to restoring the moral health of the nation, but also to freeing our enormous resources for urgent socio-economic development.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>18. In fighting corruption, however, the government would adhere strictly by the rule of law. Not for the first time I am appealing to the judiciary to join the fight against corruption.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>19. The Third Plank in this Administration\u2019s drive to CHANGE Nigeria is re-structuring the economy. Economies behaviour is cyclical. All countries face ups and downs. Our own recession has been brought about by a critical shortage of foreign exchange. Oil price dropped from an average of hundred USD per barrel over the last decade to an average of forty USD per barrel this year and last.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>20. Worse still, the damage perpetrated by Niger Delta thugs on pipelines sometimes reduced Nigeria\u2019s production to below One million barrels per day against the normal two point two million barrels per day. Consequently, the naira is at its weakest, but the situation will stabilize.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>21. But this is only temporary. Historically about half our dollar export earnings go to importation of petroleum and food products! Nothing was saved for the rainy days during the periods of prosperity. We are now reaping the whirlwinds of corruption, recklessness and impunity.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>22. There are no easy solutions, but there are solutions nonetheless and Government is pursuing them in earnest. We are to repair our four refineries so that Nigeria can produce most of our petrol requirements locally, pending the coming on stream of new refineries. That way we will save ten billion USD yearly in importing fuel.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>23. At the same time, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank have been mobilized to encourage local production of rice, maize, sorghum, millet and soya beans. Our target is to achieve domestic self-sufficiency in these staples by 2018.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>24. Already farmers in thirteen out of thirty six states are receiving credit support through the Central Bank of Nigeria\u2019s Anchor Borrowers Programme. Kebbi state alone this year is expected to produce one million tonnes of locally grown rice, thanks to a favourable harvest this year. As part of the 13 states, Lagos and Ogun are also starting this programme. Rice alone for example costs Nigeria two billion USD to import.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>25. The country should be self-sufficient in basic staples by 2019. Foreign exchange thus saved can go to industrial revival requirements for retooling, essential raw materials and spare parts. It is in recognition of the need to re-invigorate agriculture in our rural communities that we are introducing the LIFE programme.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>26. Government recognises that irrigation is key to modern agriculture: that is why the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources are embarking on a huge programme of development of lakes, earth dams and water harvesting schemes throughout the country to ensure that we are no longer dependent on rain-fed agriculture for our food requirements.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>27. In addition, government is introducing Water Resources Bill encompassing the National Water Resources Policy and National Irrigation and Drainage Policy to improve management of water and irrigation development in the country. We are reviving all the twelve River Basin Authorities, namely;<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Anambra &#8211; Imo<br \/>\nBenin &#8211; Owena<br \/>\nChad Basin<br \/>\nCross River<br \/>\nHadejia &#8211; Jama&#8217;are<br \/>\nLower Benue<br \/>\nLower Niger<br \/>\nNiger Delta<br \/>\nOgun &#8211; Osun<br \/>\nSokoto &#8211; Rima<br \/>\nUpper Benue<br \/>\nUpper Niger<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>28. The intention is eventually to fully commercialise them to better support crop production, aqua \u2013culture and accelerated rural development.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>29. This Administration is committed to the revival of Lake Chad and improvement of the hydrology and ecology of the basin. This will tune in with efforts to rehabilitate the thirty million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad basin countries.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>30. The second plank in our economic revival strategy is centred on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. The Ministry will lead and oversee the provision of critical infrastructure of power, road transport network and housing development.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>31. Power generation has steadily risen since our Administration came on board from three thousand three hundred and twenty four megawatts in June 2015, rising to a peak of five thousand and seventy four megawatts in February 2016.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>32. For the first time in our history the country was producing five thousand megawatts. However, renewed militancy and destruction of gas pipelines caused acute shortage of gas and constant drop in electricity output available on the grid.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>33. There has been during the period June 2015 to September 2016 big improvement in transmission capacity from five thousand five hundred megawatts to the present seven thousand three hundred megawatts.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>34. There were only two system collapses between June and December 2015, but due to vandalism by Niger Delta militants the over-all system suffered 16 system collapses between March and July 2016 alone. As I have said earlier, we are engaging with responsible leadership in the region to find lasting solutions to genuine grievances of the area but we will not allow a tiny minority of thugs to cripple the country&#8217;s economy.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>35. In the meantime, government is going ahead with projects utilizing alternate technologies such as hydro, wind, and solar to contribute to our energy mix. In this respect, the Mambilla Hydro project, after many years of delay is taking off this year. Contract negotiations are nearing completion with Chinese firms for technical and financial commitments.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>36. The project is to be jointly financed by Nigeria and the Chinese-Export-Import Bank. In addition, fourteen Solar Power Projects have had their power purchase agreements concluded. Hence the plan to produce one thousand two hundred megawatts of solar electricity for the country would be realized on schedule.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>37. And in line with the objective of government to complete all abandoned projects across the country, the Rural Electrification Agency&#8217;s projects needing completion are provided for in the 2016 Budget. Bringing electricity to rural areas will help farmers, small scale and cottage industries to integrate with the national economy.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b><br \/>\n38. Roads Construction and Rehabilitation has taken off. The sum of twelve billion naira was allocated to this sector in the 2015 Budget, not enough even to pay interest on outstanding unpaid claims.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>39. Notwithstanding the budgetary constraints, the current budget allocated two hundred and forty billion naira for highway projects against twelve billion naira in 2015. Many contractors who have not been paid for three years have now remobilized to sites. Seven hundred and twenty point five billion naira has so far been released this budget year to capital projects.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>40. The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has received one hundred and ninety seven point five billion naira. Work on the following highways has now resumed.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Dualization of Calabar \u2013 Itu Road in Cross River\/Akwa Ibom States.<br \/>\nDualization of Lokoja \u2013 Benin Road, Ehor &#8211; Benin city, Edo State.<br \/>\nRe-construction of outstanding sections of Benin \u2013 Shagamu Express way, Edo\/Ogun States.<br \/>\nExpansion works on Lagos \u2013 Ibadan Dual carriageway, Ogun\/Oyo States<br \/>\nRehabilitation of Onitsha \u2013 Enugu Expressway, Anambra\/Enugu States.<br \/>\nRehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu \u2013 Port Harcourt Dual carriageway, Abia\/Rivers States.<br \/>\nRehabilitation of Hadejia \u2013 Nguru Road, Jigawa State.<br \/>\nDualization of Kano \u2013 Katsina Road, Kano State.<br \/>\nDualization of Kano \u2013 Maiduguri Road, Borno State.<br \/>\nDualization of Azare \u2013 Potiskum Road, Azare \u2013 Sharuri Road, Bauchi State.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Rehabilitation of Ilorin \u2013 Jebba \u2013 Mokwa \u2013 Birnin Gwari Road, Kwara State.<br \/>\nConstruction of Oju\/Lokoja \u2013 Oweto Bridge over River Benue, Benue State.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>41. Other major highways are in the queue for rehabilitation or new construction.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>42. Already contractors have recalled about nine thousand workers laid off and Government expects that several hundreds of thousands of workers will be reengaged in the next few months as our public works programme gains momentum.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>43. On railways, we have provided our counterpart funding to China for the building of our standard gauge Lagos -Kano railway. Meanwhile, General Electric is investing two point two billion USD in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line. The Lagos-Calabar railway will also be on stream soon.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>44. We have initiated the National Housing Programme. In 2014 four hundred million naira was voted for Housing. In 2015 nothing. Our first budget this year is devoting thirty five point six billion naira. Much of the house building will be private \u2013 sector led but Government is initiating a pilot housing scheme of two thousand eight hundred and thirty eight units uniformly spread across the 36 states and FCT.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>45. We expect these units to be completed within 4 \u2013 6 months. These experimental Nigeria House model Units will be constructed using only made in Nigeria building materials and components. This initiative is expected to reactivate the building materials manufacturing sector, generate massive employment opportunities and develop sector capacity and expertise.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>46. The programmes I have outlined will revive the economy, restore the value of the naira and drive hunger from our land.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>47. Abroad, Nigeria\u2019s standing has changed beyond belief in the last 18 months. We are no longer a pariah state. Wherever I go, I have been received with un-accustomed hospitality. Investors from all over the world are falling over themselves to come and do business in Nigeria. This government intends to make business environment more friendly because we can not develop ourselves alone.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>48. All countries, no matter how advanced, welcome foreign investments to their economy. This is the essence of globalization and no country in the 21st century can be an island. Our reforms are therefore designed to prepare Nigeria for the 21st century.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>49. Finally, let me commend Nigerians for your patience, steadfastness and perseverance. You know that I am trying to do the right things for our country.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>50. Thank you and may God bless our country.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NIGERIA&#8217;S 56TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: &#8216;I Will Revive the Economy, Restore Naira Value, Drive Away Hunger from our Land&#8217; -President BUHARI *Lament: &#8216;I Know Hard Times Many Hard Individuals, Families are Passing through&#8217; *Says: &#8216; Temporary Problems Should Not Blind or Divert us from the Corrective Course&#8217; * Echoes: &#8216;We Defeated Boko Haram last December, Terrorists [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3087,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-11775","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nigeria"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11775"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11775\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}