In less than one year from now, Muhammadu Buhari will cease to be addressed as Mr. President. By May 2023, his eight-year tenure of two terms will come to an end.
But like every other leader, President Buhari, certainly, has long been mindful of the kind of legacies he will bequeath to the good people of Nigeria, and the country, itself.
The president is desirous of leaving behind legacy of infrastructural projects, dotting the vast landscape of the country, by the time he relocates to Daura, his countryhome in Katsina state.
Whenever a forum presents itself, he does not mince words in reminding top government officials he appointed to assist him steer the ship of governance, especially his cabinet Ministers, to step up their game.
Recently, while speaking at a two-day ‘Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat’ in Abuja, Buhari tacitly directed cabinet ministers and their permanent secretaries to redouble their efforts and work in synergy towards the total delivery of his administration’s set target of improving the livelihood of Nigerians.
He also instructed the ministers to ‘‘ramp up implementation’’ of their mandates along the nine priority areas of his government.
The President, according to a statement issued, by Femi Adesina, his spokesman, also stressed the need for synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities in the country to keep the economy on the trajectory of growth.
He noted that intensive discussions at the retreat provided an opportunity to reflect on what this administration has done and areas it needs to improve and refocus attention.
Specifically, Buhari’s government has been able to invest in the reconstruction of 21 selected on-going Federal Roads totaling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development & Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy. He was also very keen about completing most of these roads before his tenure elapses come May 29 next year.
It is on record that the Second Niger Bridge has been completed, the Lagos-Ibadan express road, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, the Lagos-Ibadan rail line have all reached a substantial percentage of completion and are expected to be delivered before the end of the administration.
Also, Nigeria is about to make history in the area of power generation after he country partnered with the German company, Siemens AG through the Presidential Power Initiative to increase electricity generation to 25,000 megawatts in six years is on course. When completed, this legacy will be one of those with which buhari will be remembered.
Similarly, in agricultural sector, Nigeria, courtesy of Buhari’s policy, is expected to engage with relevant Stakeholders to ensure the completion of all large-scale integrated Rice Processing Mills before the end of this Administration. This will help our Country to maintain sufficiency in the local production of rice as the ban on the importation of foreign rice will be sustained.
In the three years of existence of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the ministry, created by Buhari, has provided substantial support and assistance to our vulnerable citizens through various programmes.
Furthermore, despite the challenges (especially that of security hindering its smooth operation, Buhari will be remembered as the President who resuscitated the dilapidated rail sector, Today, modern rail operates in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Contract has also been awarded and work has already commenced of building new rail lines connecting different parts of the country and even the neighbouring countries.
Buhari’s legacies, especialli i the area of infrastructure also trancends even beyond the country, as Nigeria recently signed an agreement with Morocco, of gas supply, By the time the new agreement starts operating, the country’s source on income will increase and so many of its present economic challenges will be addressed.
Also on infrastructure, the President promised that the Federal Government will prioritize funding and ensure that all high-priority ongoing infrastructure projects are completed before the end of this Administration.
He announced that the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund would continue to support the delivery of legacy infrastructure projects across the country.
The whole issue of the indelible legacies President Buhari is passionately anticipating to bequeath is one that I am sure the ministers and permanent secretaries he was addressing at the mid-term retreat will not dismiss with a wave, or attempt to take for a levity.
Like their principal, the President, they are conscious of the verdicts of history and posterity. They will surely do everything to actualize Mr. President’s grand visions, developmental agenda and economic blueprint for the country, before 2023. I have no doubt!
Aliyu Umar Aliyu is the Acting Head Strategic Communication Department Bureau of Public Service Reform and can be reached via [email protected].
