President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday restated pledge to fulfill campaign promises, assuring that it would not be business as usual.
Jonathan gave the assurance while declaring open the 18th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
?The president, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, stressed that Federal Government would restore confidence and trust in the public sector to ensure speedy transformation of the nation’s economy.
?He said government was committed to building the hopes of Nigerians in the future of the country.
??“Government is aware of the general feeling amongst the populace that ‘it is still business as usual in the public sector.’
?“This lack of trust in the public sector is an inherited burden, which we are determined to address.
?“Let me assure you all that as far as this administration is concerned, it is no longer business as usual.
?“We are strongly committed to rebuilding the hopes of Nigerians in the future of our country.
?“I take seriously the trust and confidence reposed in me by Nigerians.
?“I will discharge this sacred trust to the best of my ability, to the benefits of all people.”
?Jonathan, however, observed that the task of nation building was a shared responsibility, adding that it required both the leadership and the governed to demonstrate integrity and accountability in the conduct and management of national affairs.
He said government had introduced measures to ensure transparency and accountability, especially in the Oil and Gas sector of the economy.
?According to him, a new process of payment of oil subsidy to marketers has been put in place by government to check corrupt practices in the sector.
?The president said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been empowered “to prosecute any company or individual that undermines the system no matter how highly place they are in the society”.
?He said that the summit was a model of Public/Private partnership and that the platform had proven its authenticity and relevance.
?“It is quite reassuring that the NES's technical inputs have informed a number of government policies and reform measures.
?“The blueprints on the Transformation Agenda and the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 are living testimonies of this collaboration and synergy.”
?In his remark, the Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, said the Transformation Agenda was a clear demonstration of the commitment of government to the development of the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES), Mr Foluso Phillips, had stressed the need for the diversification of the country’s economy to boost the non-oil sector.
?On his part, the Director-General of NES, Mr Frank Nweke, said that over $750 billion was needed for Nigeria to meet its vision of becoming the 20th world most developed nation by 2020.
The summit with the theme, ‘‘Deregulation, Cost of Governance and Nigeria’s Economic Prospects’’, would discuss issues such as the Petroleum Industry Bill; the future of Nigeria’s Oil industry; as well as Leadership and Followership as shared responsibilities.
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