Oscarline Onwuemenyi
29 May 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Nigerian government has stated its commitment to strengthen its focus on energy development, including oil, gas, and power, as well as agriculture and food security in the next two years.
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who stated this on Monday during his address in Abuja to mark this year’s Democracy Day, added that government would work and give the necessary incentives to the private sector and create an environment to invest and do business.
“In the next two years, we will build on the successes of the last two. We have demonstrated a willingness to learn from our mistakes and to improve on our successes.
“The critical points that we must address fully in the next two years are Agriculture and food security, Energy (power and petroleum), industrialisation and transport infrastructure,” he stated.
The vision for a country, he said, is to grow “what it eats and produces what it consumes”.
He noted that “It is for a country that no longer has to import petroleum products, and develops a lucrative petrochemical industry.
“Very importantly it is for a country whose fortunes are no longer tied to the price of a barrel of crude, but instead to the boundless talent and energy of its people, young and old, male and female as they invest in diverse areas of the economy.”
According to Osinbajo, the vision was to create a country where the wealth of the many would no longer be stolen by or reserved for a few.
“The government would build a nation devoid of impunity of corruption whether in the public or private sectors. Corruption would no longer be standard operating practice and also build a nation where bandits and terrorists would be eliminated.
“As citizens, you all deserve a country that works, not merely for the rich or connected, but for everyone. And our promise to you is that we will, with your support and cooperation, take every step needed to create that country of our dreams.
“We also know that this journey will of necessity take time. But we will not succumb to the temptation to take short-cuts that ultimately complicate the journey. We did not find ourselves in crises overnight, and we simply do not expect overnight solutions to our challenges.”
He added that the most important thing was for the nation to be on the right path, “and we will not deviate from it, even in the face of strong temptation to choose temporary gain over long-term benefit”.
As the President has summed it up, he said: “The old Nigeria is slowly but surely disappearing, and a new era is rising. And so we commemorate this second anniversary of our administration with confidence and optimism. I firmly believe that we have put the most difficult phase behind us.
“We are witnesses to the ever-increasing intensity of the light at the end of the tunnel.”
He asked for the continued cooperation and support of the people, to enable the government to realise all its intentions and ambitions for Nigeria.
“On our part, We will continue to carry you along on this journey, speak to you, explain the challenges, and share our Vision.”