President Goodluck Jonathan

By Ahamefula Ogbu

For the second time in two days, President Goodluck Jonathan has hinted that he would have a zero tolerance for corruption.
On Thursday when he inaugurated the last batch of ministers cleared by the Senate, he gave a policy direction of his administration on the problem and disclosed that he had ordered a probe of the various ministries.
Friday, the president also vowed not to shield any corrupt person in or out of his cabinet as neither Vice-President Namadi Sambo nor himself will protect anyone whose integrity is called to question in the administration’s renewed fight against corruption.
He also pledged to invest more in education through improved funding of the sector as well as institution of proactive actions that will enthrone stability in the sector.

Jonathan spoke at the two-day induction programme organised for ministers, special advisers and permanent secretaries at the Banquet hall of the Aso rock Presidential Villa, Abuja where he reiterated that Nigeria’s resources have to be protected and used for the greater good of the people.
He told the ministers that they must be seen to be doing good and ensure that the country makes the best use of what it has for development.

“Let me reiterate that public funds are meant for the common good and I am quite pleased to note that this administration’s fidelity to the rule of law is common knowledge because neither the Vice-President nor I will offer protection to anyone in government whose integrity is called to question.  This is in a nutshell what I expect from you. If for any reason whatsoever you do not remember anything I have said to you today, then please just remember this, that I promised Nigerians I will never let them down during my campaigns, because that was my promise. That should also be your promise; go forth to your various field and fulfill that promise,” he charged.
He said the aim of his administration was to revive the rail system as a country of over 150 million people cannot rely on road transportation alone, adding also that his promise on stable power must be fulfilled for the expected industrial growth.
The president listed, as part of the agenda of his administration, visible growth in the economy, job creation, improved electricity supply, security, better healthcare facilities, qualitative education and effective public transport system, a sincere and determined fight against corruption, working for enduring peace and happiness for all Nigerians”.
Jonathan reminded the ministers that their appointment represents a proof that Nigeria has an array of very resourceful and intelligent people hence there would not be any excuse why anyone would not perform creditably well to return Nigeria to the expected glorious part and place.

He said: “I made a pledge to Nigerians on 29th of May that in God’s name I will never let them down. Those few words encapsulate the passion that I want to see in my service and in this cabinet. We promised an improved funding of educational institution that already exists and that I will ensure quality access to education to all children of school age. I promised to tackle youth restiveness and insecurity by investing in education. We also pledged at various times to reduce the incident in the education sector by being proactive by addressing issues of staff welfare and other concerns.
“I look forward to making sure that these promises are fulfilled in the life of this administration. Nigerians have indicated that the priority is improved supply of electricity and even as this administration is set on implementing the various goals set out in the road map of power sector reform, nevertheless we have to ensure a successful completion of ongoing short-term investment which must deliver additional power to Nigerians within the time promised.

“On the areas of security, I repeatedly promised Nigerians that we would continue to ensure prevailing peace in the Niger Delta, to expand our oil and gas industry productive capacity by ensuring that incidence that leads to the declaration of force majeure by the oil multinationals are few and far between and also by ensuring transparency and accountability in the extractive industry.”
Sounding an end to the era of importation of all manner of goods into the country, he said the gains of his insistence on eliminating importation of cement into the country was to support local production. He promised to extend it to other sectors especially the petroleum sector where he said capacity would be expanded for sufficiency in production and increasing capacity utilisation.
Jonathan said budget implementation of the country will try to hit 100 percent from next year and would have been this year if not for some problems with this year’s budget. He added that capital projects will be pursued to its conclusion next year as part of the transformation expectations.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the retreat, commended Jonathan and Sambo’s courage for making him the chairman of the occasion and for picking a star-studded team, but warned that such has its advantages and disadvantages.
He, however, advised the ministers that the buck starts and stops on Jonathan’s table to whom they should all be loyal.
Turning to Jonathan, he reminded him that no power conferred on him was absolute, hence the checks and balances which the constitution provides.

He asked him to work well with his appointees so that his policies would be implemented.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the retreat was put together to review the policies of government and ensure that the policies of government was translated to development.
Those in attendance at the retreat included Sambo, House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi.

-ThsDay