In this third part of the series, PREMIUM TIMES’ Festus Owete reviews the performance of men and women supervising seven ministries in relation to their promises and achievements.
Read our first part here and second part here.
In this third part of the series, PREMIUM TIMES’ Festus Owete reviews the performance of men and women supervising seven ministries in relation to their promises and achievements.
Ministry: Industry, Trade and Investment
Minister: Okechukwu Enelemah
State Minister: Aisha Abubakar
Promises:
-To promote the diversification of the nation’s economy predicated on industrialization
-Create enabling environment for industry, trade and investment where government will act as a partner to business and not a competitor.
-Improve the Ease-of-Doing business in Nigeria;
-Implement the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan launched in 2012 by the Jonathan administration.
-Commitment to SMEs and the disbursement of micro-credit loans to 1.6 million to traders, artisans, farmers and young entrepreneurs in the country.
Achievements:
-The ministry through the Bank of Industry (BoI) said it disbursed N95 billion to 400 enterprises in the first half of 2016. BoI also started implementing the N140 billion Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).
-BoI also approved N426 million for disbursement to 253 members of the National Youth Service Corps under its Graduate Entrepreneur Fund Programme.
-Set up the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to focus on making Nigeria more attractive for investment.
-The CBN reported that Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria increased by $673.95 in the second quarter of 2016. For instance, Nigeria attracted $6 billion in new investments from China.
-Ministry is developing a diversified export base and a solid base of domestic manufacturing.
-Proposes a draft national policy on biofuel production and distribution to be signed into law soon. Part of the incentives include setting up of an appropriate funding arrangement of up to $100 billion for the establishment of a Biofuel Industry Equity Fund by the federal government.
Failures
-At least 272 companies – manufacturing outfits and 222 SMEs – have closed shops in the last one year leading to loss of 18,000 job loss, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
-MAN also said no fewer than 41 essential raw materials for many manufacturers across the sectors can no longer be sourced locally.
-Imports increased unabated. Nigeria’s imports are in the region of $14.54 billion. Commodities imported include food, machinery, chemicals, transport, equipment, manufactured goods and live animals.
-The World Bank’s Report on Ease-of-Doing-Business in Nigeria showed that she moved further down Number 182 out of 189 countries assessed in 2016. She had ranked 169 out of the same number of economies in the last quarter of 2015.
-Nigeria recorded a NGN 29.4 billion trade deficit in June, swinging from NGN386 billion surplus a year earlier. Export declined 26.7 per cent year-on-year to NGN727 billion and imports went up 24.8 per cent to NGN757 billion.
-The NBS reported that Nigeria economy recorded a total decline of $2.1 billion in inflow in the first 12 months of the Buhari administration
Score: Average
12) Ministry: Science and Technology
Minister: Ogbonnaya Onu
Promises:
-.Close technological gaps to advance national development
–To make Nigeria self-sufficient in meeting the challenges of daily living
-Put all structures on ground to ensure that Nigerian astronauts land in space on or before 2030
-To make Nigeria begin to manufacture pencils in 2017
-Organise the first National Science and Technology competitions for the 774 LGAs in the country.
-Pursue the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) by 2030
-Create employment and empowering the youth to make meaningful contributions to national development.
Achievements
-The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) commenced the provision of In-Orbit Test (IOT) service for the Belarus National System of Satellite Communications and Broadcasting called Belintersat. The service would rake in $6 million for Nigeria for the 15-year period it would last.
-The ministry now helps inventors to pay for their patents to encourage more Nigerians to tread the path of innovation and invention
-Signed MoU with NASCO Foods Limited for commercial production of high density biscuits for the National School Feeding Programme
-Commissioned a technical research into the Zika Virus which has been in Nigeria for 60 years without harming anybody. The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) was asked to conduct the research into the strain to guide the country.
-Promotion of the use of Made-in-Nigeria goods by directing all 17 agencies under the ministry to patronize INNOSON vehicles as well as other local manufacturing companies
Failures
-Low patronage and encouragement from government for inventors
–Nigeria’s automotive industry yet to compete favourably with foreign companies though the minister blames it on the absence of research and development.
-Absence of synergy between government, private sector, research and development institutions and the absence of a strong research leadership drive at all levels
-Diversification of the sources of energy to forestall a setback by a single energy yet to be effected.
Score: Below Average
13: Ministry: Communications
Minister: Adebayo Shittu
Promises:
–To make the communication sector a springboard for industrial and administrative revolution.
-To evolve a policy that will engage the use of ICT in the nation’s universities and polytechnics, which can generate a lot of income for government
-Reposition NIPOST to generate more revenue
-To convert the Digital Bridge Institute into Multi-campus ICT University, the first of its kind in Africa.
-To implement the roadmap for the communication sector and promote e-government
Achievements:
–The telecommunications
sector increased Nigeria’s GDP by 8.7 per cent in 2015, generating spill overs with uptakes in financial transactions technology and payments systems, E-commerce facilitation and proliferation of transport services
-The Ministry generated over N500 million from Radio Licensing
–Unbundled the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Limited into five entities to make it commercially viable and compete with the other information and communications technology (ICT) companies operating in Nigeria’s emerging electronic commercial sector. The entities include NIPOST Banking and Insurance e-Services, NIPOST Property and Development Company, NIPOST Transport and Logistics Services, NIPOST e-Commerce Services and so on.
-Inaugurated four special anti-corruption postage stamps created by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), to wage total war corruption.
–Chinese investors brought in $15 billion in the ICT sector, which will ultimately create about 2000 jobs.
Failures:
-Nigeria lost about N700 billion as MTN is to pay only N330 billion out of the N1.03 trillion it was fined for failing to disconnect subscribers not properly registered. MTN is to pay the money within three years.
-Nigeria still loses about N78 billion annually to cybercrime
-Nigerians mobile phone users still plagued by unsolicited messages and forced to pay for unsuccessful services and drop calls as the NCC cannot sanction defaulting Telecom companies.
Score: Below Average
14) Ministry: Information and Culture
Minister: Lai Mohammed
Promises:
-To restructure, reinvent and retool NTA, FRCN and other federal government-owned media in order to position them to compete favourably with other broadcasters. This is to ensure they provide compelling contents that would make them attractive to viewers and advertisers.
-To ensure that no public media organisation denies access to the political opposition
-Embark on “Buy Nigeria Campaign” to raise awareness on local content
-Ensure growth of the film industry and complement the efforts of the professionals who built the industry from the scratch
-Pursue the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting by July 2017
-Turn around the creative industry which encompasses music, film production, advertising, arts and culture, to create one million jobs in three years.
-Make culture the bedrock of Nigeria’s economy. To encourage public and private sector participation and partnership.
–To review the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) document with a view to fast-tracking its passage into law. It is aimed at helping to regulate the Nollywood and make it play meaningful role in national development.
Achievements
-Initiated the “Change Begins With Me” programme to change the attitude of Nigerians for better and sanitise the society.
-Launched a pilot scheme in Jos as parts of efforts to meet the deadline for Digital Switched Over, DSO. Also licensed 13 set-top box manufacturers and their factories commissioned.
-Began the process of making public-owned media credible and their staff more professional as well as ensuring editorial independence of the media. In doing this, the minister began by initiating a partnership between the FRCN and the BBC to help build capacity of the corporation’s staff.
-Signed a MoU with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to transform the creative industry into a profitable one and Nigeria’s greatest assets and revenue sector.
-Secured the assistance of Japan and France to develop capacity in production of animation and children films. The Canadian government also offered to sponsor the training of about 1000 film makers on animation.
–Set up a Ministerial Committee on the Review of the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria. This is aimed at regulating the Nollywood.
-Despite Nigeria’s GDP contracting to -0.36 per cent in the first quarter of 2016, the entertainment and recreational sector showed a growth of 8.4 per cent, according to NBS.
Failures
-Lied to the nation that the APC-led federal government had fulfilled all its campaign promises to Nigerians. He stated this while speaking on Channels Television last May during the one year anniversary of the Buhari administration. He said, “It has been very challenging, very fulfilling, but I must say with all sense of modesty that we have fulfilled all our pledges.”
-Yet to adequately address government’s involvement in the tourisms sector. The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, FIAN, says it still takes a long time for tourism investors to get approval from government and that is why progress is not being made.
-Controversial N13.1 million loan he demanded from the National Broadcasting Commission to embark on a trip to China. Critics claimed the minister has been stinging the 15 agencies and commissions under the ministry for loans.
– Only two Nigerian sites – Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa – are recognised by UNESCO.
Score: Average
15) Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Minister: Mohammed Bello
Promises: Take Abuja to greater heights and make it a better place than he met it
-Pursue the development of the satellite towns and improve upon the road networks and transportation system
-Pledged to complete the Karshi-Apo Road to decongest the Abuja-Keffi Road and promised to pay the contractor outstanding N324 million.
-To build 400 units of houses every year to close the housing deficit and provide affordable accommodation for the workforce.
-To be fair in allocating plots earmarked for religious worship centres in the Abuja Master Plan.
-To create 10,000 jobs by the year 2020.
-To make the Abuja rail system operational in the last quarter of 2017.
Achievements:
-Commissioned the Inter-Basin Water Transfer Project from Gurara Dam in Kaduna State to the Lower Usuma Dam, in Abuja through a three-meter diameter pipe covering about 75 kilometres, to improve water supply.
-Inaugurated the new management team of AEPB after he dissolved the previous management over a N9.8 billion debt owed to the board as well as non-performance.
-Gave bailout of N1.6 billion to the six Area Councils to settle the salaries owed their staff.
-Moved the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) to Karshi to bring it closer to the rural people that the department is meant to serve.
-Offset N2 billion owed to cleaning and maintenance contractors by previous administrators to enable them return to evacuate solid waste.
-Suspended 13 officers undergoing prosecution by EFCC
-Ordered end to cattle grazing in Abuja
Failures:
-Deplorable condition of roads in all the satellite towns
–Inability to clear heaps of garbage which have overtaken some major streets in the satellite towns and some areas in the city centre
-Most traffic lights in the city are not working, endangering the lives of motorists and other road users
-Has no clear plan on how to provide potable water for the satellite towns in Abuja
Score: Below Average
16) Ministry: National Planning:
Minister: Udoma Udoma
State Minister: Zainab Ahmed
-Promises:
-To revise the ’20-20-20′ economic development plan inherited from the previous administration
-To send the 2017 Budget to the National Assembly early October 2016. “Our intention is that the budget should reach the National Assembly early in October to give them enough time to pass the budget before the end of the year,” the minister said.
-To unveil a policy that will galvanize national support for Made-in-Nigeria products. This is aimed at strengthening the economy and positioning the nation for self-sufficiency.
Achievements:
-Started work on 2017 budget early and got approval for a timetable for the budget, noting: “As we are finishing with this budget we are starting on 2017.”
-Initiated bilateral meetings with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as a way of providing technical support to improve the quality of their submission, preparatory to their formal response to the 2016 budget call circular
Failures
-Poor preparation of the 2016 budget which was trailed by several controversies
-Shoddy preparation of the 2016-2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper causing the Senate to reject it. The legislature described it as “empty.”
-Failed to organize the 2016 national census
Score: Below Average
17) Ministry: Environment
Minister: Amina Mohammed
State Minister: Ibrahim Jibrin
Promises:
-To encourage use of recycled materials in the country.
-To ensure industries reduce pollution and other hazards that may contribute to climate change and its effects.
-To diversifying the nation’s economy by reclaiming deserts for agricultural purpose.
-To launch a clean and green programme in order to address the menace of indiscriminate disposal of plastics and polythene bags.
Achievements:
-Commenced the Clean-up of the Ogoni environment in line with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations.
-Unveiled new technology that would aid in rapid response to oil spills and prevent the further degradation of the environment.
-Initiated collaboration with NiMET and put in place other mechanisms to respond to future incidence of flooding in the country.
-Sustained reduction of floods across the country
Failures
-Solid waste management remains a challenge as the country still collects 20-30% of the 3.2 tons of waste it generates annually.
-About 1.5 million trees are cut daily in Nigeria, thereby creating room for desert encroachment and over 576 million trees were lost annually due to deforestation.
-The menace of erosion, desertification and deforestation on the rise with little response from the ministry
Score: Below average
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