President Bola Tinubu has informed Nigerians to expect many more tough policy measures to be introduced by his administration to reposition governance for efficiency, effectiveness and productivity.
Recall Tinubu in May 29, had announced removal of fuel subsidy and alongside the new forex regime. This, according to him, are already yielding positive results.
The President whose speech was read by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr George Akume on Saturday at the Gala/Award Nite, the concluding part of the 2023 Federal Civil Service Week celebration, said the main concern of his administration is to revamp the nation’s economy and improve the welfare of the citizens.
He said Nigeria now has the rare privilege of correcting the errors of the past in order to create the country of “our dreams”.
Recall that the announcement of complete removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu while delivering his inaugural speech at Eagle Square, Abuja on May 29, 2023, has led to increase in pump price of petrol twice. First, the price of the commodity jumped from N198/litre to N540 per litre on May 30, 2023, and further increased to 617 per litre.
Marketers have continued to blame the hike on market forces since the withdrawal of subsidy on petrol and the floating of the naira against the dollar, with many speculating that the cost of PMS could rise to as high as N 800 per litre. This has also come with consequential high-cost food items, transportation among others and attendant hardships being faced by Nigerians.
But speaking on Saturday night at the event held the International Conference Centre (ICC), Tinubu said: “The first two policies that I announced during my inauguration, namely the removal of the fuel subsidy and the new forex regime are already yielding positive results.
“We have received support and commendation from the global community for our courage in introducing these policy shifts.
“We shall, without delay, cushion the pains being experienced by our people as a result of these measures, through a number of well-targeted policy interventions aimed at giving adequate relief and succour to the great number of our long-suffering citizens,” he said.
Tinubu lamented that Nigeria is being confronted by a myriad of monumental challenges, which could have been conclusively and decisively addressed over the years, saying for the country to move forward, it has to be recalibrated and redefined in line with the dreams of the Founding Fathers.
The President noted that even though the event was a social gathering to unwind and appreciate the exemplary and commendable performance of deserving civil servants, he said it was also an auspices moment for him to talk to vision of his administration.
He added that the celebration was in conformity with the African Union (AU), declaration of 1994, which set 21st July every year as African Public Service Day, and enjoined all the African countries to set their days aside to celebrate their public civil servants.
He described the Civil Service as a fulcrum for governance, whose vision and mission are predicated on the instrumentation of policies and programmes that would enhance national economic and multi-dimensional growth.
He added that to march the expectations of the present administration, which are very high, the Civil Service must up its reform initiatives.
“I personally appreciate the federal civil service as the custodian of public trust and promise to empower it in order for them to consolidate on the gains of the ongoing reforms and introduce other smart and radical policies and administrative measures to make it more competent, accountable and Citizens centered in the delivery of public services,” he said.
He urged public servants to use the occasion of the celebration to have introspection and stock-taking, on the civil service, stressing that the annual commemoration provides opportunity to rethink the best ways to improve service delivery to the citizenry.
While noting that the policy thrust of his administration would be Nigeria first, saying it was equally important to underscore the fact that only a Nigeria that has saved itself, can save Africa.
“Therefore, as much as we shall focus on Africa our primary attention shall be to revamp our nation’s economy and improve the welfare of the citizens,” the President said.
On digitalization of public service, Tinubu said it was a compelling choice, noting, “It is in this regard that I am pleased at the adopted Nigerian theme digitalization of work processes in the public service, the gateway to efficient resource utilization and national development, is apt and appropriate for this commemoration”.
He said: “The challenges we face today with governance leaves no option to continue on the analogue front. The task before us as a people and government are daunting but the process of success is promising if we make the right choices.
“Digitalization is a compelling choice, we must take it. Now let me make clear, the expectations of this administration from the civil service are full, this is so because the civil service is the fulcrum of governance, our vision and mission are predicated on the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at spurring the national economy on multi-dimensional front.
“Many tough but needful policy and paradigm shifts will be emplaced to reposition governance for efficiency, effectiveness and productivity.
“To match the expectations of this administration, the civil service must increase the pace of its reform, the laudable targets set under the six pillars of the federal civil service strategy and implementation plan 2021 to 2025 must be focused and must be attained.
“We are at a critical phase of our existence as a nation, and we must take full control of our destiny.
“Evidently, we are confronted by a myriad of monumental challenges, which we ought to have conclusively and decisively address over the years.
“Our inability to put in place the enabling building blocks for the actualization of the vision of our Founding Fathers and install the vision of a great Nigeria, the Giant of Africa.
“Thankfully, for every opportunity we have missed in the past, we are now presented with a unique privilege. to recalibrate our vision, redefine our mission, correct our past errors and misdeeds, right wrongs, and raise our faith in our capacity to create a new Nigeria of our dreams.
“Our mission is a new Nigeria offering multiple opportunities to all, maximizing the potentials of all and sundry, and inspiring everyone to advance beyond our physical and mental capacity in our quest to be counted as a giant in a committee of nations.
“This is a thrust of the renewed hope agenda, which we offer for our national rebirth and global relevance.
“We are sure that this government is steadfast in its unwavering faith that with our renewed hope and make our beloved nation great and prosperous again with your support, patience, resilience and sacrifice,” Tinubu said.
