REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AT THE SIGNING OF THE 2016 APPROPRIATION BILL INTO LAW ON FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016, ABUJA

It gives me great pleasure today to sign the first full-year budget of this administration into law.  I thank the leadership of the National Assembly, in particular, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and indeed all members of the National Assembly for their cooperation in making this a reality.

The budget is intended to signpost a renewal of our commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people. This Administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year.

Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled "Budget of Change’’, the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract. The Budget I have signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06trn. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning.

I shall be speaking in more details about the Budget, its implementation and the over-all national economic and social policies of the Government in my address on May 29th, God willing.

In designing the 2016 budget, we made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports. This is why we decided to enlarge the budget deficit at this time, to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings.  All borrowings will however be applied towards growth-enhancing capital expenditures. 

The signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350bn into the economy by way of capital projects. To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200bn to road construction as against a paltry N18bn allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget.

Despite the current difficulties we will work extra-hard to achieve our revenue projections. Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being re-oriented. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues.

Our determined fight against corruption is resulting in improvements in the quality of public expenditure. The work of the Efficiency Unit, as well as other public financial management initiatives, are also contributing in this regard. The continuing efforts to reduce recurrent expenditures should hopefully free up more funds for capital expenditure in 2017 and beyond.

As I said in my New Year message, living in State House does not in any way alienate me from your daily struggles. I read the newspapers and listen to the TV and radio news. I hear your cries. I share your pains.

We are experiencing probably the toughest economic times in the history of our Nation. I want to commend the sacrifice, resilience and toughness of all Nigerians young and old who have despite the hardships continued to have hope and confidence of a great future for Nigerians. But permit me to say that this government is also like none other. We are absolutely committed to changing the structure of the Nigerian economy once and for all.

We are working  night and day to diversify the economy so that we never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of the things we use. We intend to create the environment for our young peoples to be able to innovate and create jobs through technology.

I cannot promise you that this will be an easy journey, but in the interest of so much and so many we must tread this difficult path.  I can assure you that this government you have freely elected will work with honesty and dedication, day and night to ensure that our country prospers and that the prosperity benefits all Nigerians. God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.

EJIGBO LCDA CLARION CALL TO DEVELOPMENT(Part 3)

Despite having the presence of the central government and amenities that will benefit the residents of the LCDA, the structures in the area are, unfortunately, often found in a moribund state. For instance, the Nitel facility abandoned as a result of privatization tussle and the non-functional National Water Corporation premises are now the habitation of rodents and other dangerous animals.

The upgrade and development of Ejigbo is long overdue. Judging from the above detailed reports of economic, social and physical condition of Ejigbo LCDA, it is very obvious that the task at hand is of herculean size. There has been a diligent search for a well-qualified, tried and true, efficient and competent individual whose hands are not and never will be tied to any selfish gain or godfather figure, but who will wholeheartedly spend and be spent purely for the good and interest of the generality of the residents and members of the Ejigbo LCDA.

Like the self-effacing, diligent, and focused lad David was found to be the anointed King over Israel by Prophet Samuel, Hon. Ibrahim Adefunwa alias A10 may just be the divinely destined next Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA. Hon. Adefenwa is an aspirant from the Peoples Democratic Party. His selfless services and natural ability to feel the pain and plight of others, and his readiness and willingness to take action to alleviate their suffering is evident in the lives of the multitudes of parents, artisans, youths, business people etc who have experienced and witnessed his benevolence and goodwill. These individuals cut across all social, tribal, political affiliations and religious divides.

Therefore, it goes without saying to admit that, by the grace of the Almighty God, when the mass electorate from across the parties who have both covertly and publicly identified with him, dutifully cast their votes to elect him as the next Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, it shall truly be well with all and sundry. 

Elections in Lagos State have been known to be free, fair and credible, and never a do or die contest. Our expectation is that the next Local Government Area election to be organized by the Lagos State Independent Election Commission shall be invariably executed. Tentatively, Local Government Area and Local Councils Development Areas Chairmanship election is scheduled to hold in the month of second or third quarter of the year 2016. The President of Nigeria has instructed the State Governors to organize the electoral exercise. God bless Nigeria, God bless Lagos State,God bless Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area and God bless Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Amen.   

EJIGBO LCDA CLARION CALL TO DEVELOPMENT(Part 2)

There are 774 Local Government Areas spread across the entire country and these are the ones recognized by the constitution of the land. The Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had good intentions when he created additional 37 LCDAs, but he was entirely misunderstood by the Nigeria President at the time – President Olusegun Obasanjo. Subsequently, the ex-president withheld the accrued allocation for the 20 constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas. Be that as it may, the next government of Late President Musa Yar’adua (may be out of empathy, himself having been the former governor of Kastina State) released outstanding funds and winked at the Lagos State conduction of election into the 37 LCDAs in spite of his party’s (People Democratic Party) protestation, for some obvious technical reason.

Nevertheless, with the passage of time, the necessity of splitting the respective vast 20 LCDAs in Lagos State to achieve even development, seamless bureaucratic operation, rapid creation of amenities, easy/tapped access to Local Council leadership by the members, etc. has gradually become clearer. These are urgently needed dividends by the entire Nigerian population.

The question is, are we getting access to these amenities? Yes, the people of Nigeria are being promised heaven on earth, rain in the wilderness. These are all incessant and unremitting promises that never materialize to any tangible result! Nigerians especially Lagosians residing in the Ejigbo LCDA have grown weary of the avalanche of empty promises, they are in unison clamoring for true governance and access to due dividends that show a support for democracy within the area. Interestingly, the Ejigbo LCDA is a home for detribalized Nigerians. Men and women from all works of life, including cooperate (white color), traders, artisans, entertainment and politicians all reside there.

The LCDA is also blessed with an amiable, self-efficient, and amenable King, Oba Morufu Adisa Ojoala Ojon of Ejigbo. May peace be for him and his Kingdom. The 431 existing roads (except 23, which are fairly accessible by motorized vehicles) within this densely populated LCDA are in seriously dilapidated condition, sometimes being almost impassable. A major advantage the council area has over the other 36 LCDAs in Lagos is its strategic location and proximity to Muritala Muhammed Int’l Airport, the busiest airport in West Africa.

The LCDA also has facilities and amenities of benefit to its residents, of which security is one. There are 5 Nigeria Police Stations and posts within Ejigbo LCDA jurisdiction, one Magistrate/Customary Court, Citizen Mediation Center/Dispute, a resolution alternation center, and a health care center. Others facilities include nine primary schools and two secondary schools – all functional in the council area................. To be continue.