The federal government has vowed to fight the economic hardship currently gripping the nation with the same intensity applied to fighting terrorism, according to Nigeria’s president.
During the inauguration of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2017-2020 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari said that even though his administration had inherited many challenges from the previous administration, he is committed to minimizing the impacts on Nigerians.
“We are committed to delivering on the three key areas that we promised; these are improving security, tackling corruption and revitalising the economy. Security in the North-East and other parts of Nigeria is significantly better today than when we came in.
“With regards to our fight against corruption, as you all know, our law enforcement agencies are prosecuting very many cases of corruption. Our successes in these two areas are clear for all to see.
“I want to assure all Nigerians that we are approaching the solution to our economic challenges with the same will and commitment that we have demonstrated in the fight against corruption and in the fight against terrorism and militancy.”
President Buhari said that the ERGP initiative includes agriculture and food security, energy and transport infrastructure, industrialization and social investments as a means to lifting Nigeria out of the economic hardship.
He added that the ERGP was carefully developed as a means to returning Nigeria to the path of growth, while aiming for a seven percent growth rate in the economy by 2020.
“We seek not just to take the Nigerian economy out of recession, but to place it on a path of sustained, inclusive and diversified growth.
“We are determined to change Nigeria from an import-dependent country to a producing nation. We must become a nation where we grow what we eat and consume what we produce. We must strive to have a strong naira and productive economy.
“The plan I am launching today, therefore, sets out what we, as a government, are committed to do, to create the enabling environment for business to thrive. The plan is a national plan, hence the role of state governments is critical to its success.
“I, therefore, wish to appeal to the state governments to draw inspiration and strategic direction from the plan to articulate their economic programmes, particularly in the development of the real sector.”
Buhari said that for the plan to be effective, it was important that all Nigerians contribute to its success by working in support of the administration regardless of political affiliation.