Ministerial Performance Review Retreat: FG approves N13bn for community policing
…As Buhari orders Defence Ministry to create industry for weapon production in-country
…Establishes N75bn for Nigerian Youth Investment program
By Uthman Salami
President, Muhammadu Buhari has given the nod for the approval of N13.3 billion to commence Community Policing initiative across the country.
Buhari made this disclosure during the opening of a two-day mid-term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat.
The Retreat which was organized to evaluate the progress being made towards achieving the nine key priorities of his administration yesterday had many critical stakeholders of the economy in attendance.
The president maintained that the approval was few of the measures enacted to consolidate his government efforts channeled at enhancing security nationwide.
During the first day of the event, the president elucidated that, “We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide.”
In his resolve to solve the issue of insecurity, the president, yet again, further revealed that he had instructed the Ministry of Defence to create a modest military-industrial complex for the local production of weapons so as to curb the spike in the rate of insecurity in the country.
He explained that the establishment of the industrial complex would address Nigeria’s over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics.
According to him, the project is being implemented under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.
In other efforts to strengthen national security, Buhari said it was gratifying to note that Nigeria had received six A-29 Super Tucano.
He said the propeller-driven aircraft are being used for training, surveillance and attack by the military.
“As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the Federation; and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.
‘‘We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide,’’ he said.
While explaining the rigorous efforts being made the present adminstration to raise standards of living of the masses, the President revealed that he had approved the expansion of the National Social Register (NSP) by one million additional households to empower the youth and other vulnerable groups in the country. The NSP is the official database for the implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.
‘‘We have established the N75 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund created to boost the Nigerian economy through leverage and access to finance for youths. The Fund should serve as a catalyst to unleash the potential of the youth and to enable them to build businesses that will stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
“These accomplishments are a testament to the fact that all hands are on deck in establishing a solid foundation for even greater successes in future,’’ he said.
The President warned all ministers and permanent secretaries to take seriously all issues relating to the implementation of their mandates towards the attainment of the laudable objectives of the government.
The President concluded his address at the opening of the retreat with the unveiling of the Presidential Priorities Performance Management System.
He explained that the Performance Management System and Dashboard, which had been in effect since January this year, had provided him with the opportunity to track projects in real-time with live data.
‘‘In our continuing drive to ensure accountability, we have incorporated a Performance Management Framework into the functions of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit for ease of tracking of the Ministerial Deliverables along the lines of the 9 priority areas of this administration.
‘‘This initiative has provided me with the opportunity to track the performance of all Ministries and by extension my Administration.
‘‘ This process has been in effect since January 2021 and today it gives me great pleasure to unveil the Performance Management System and Dashboard to track projects in real-time with live data and early warning system to proactively resolve bottlenecks,’’ he said.
In view of the importance of this year’s retreat, President Buhari announced that he would sit through all the sessions to listen to the cumulative assessment of this administration’s performance over the last two years.
