An expanded array of public policy experts are slated to attend this year’s edition of ‘Buharimeter’ town hall meeting to discuss the intricacies of the Buhari administration’s policy frameworks two years on.
In a distributed programme, the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, said the experts, who were pooled from diverse professional backgrounds, will discuss how the government has been tackling issues of national importance during different segments of the event.
The event will hold today at Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers between 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
PREMIUM TIMES will provide live updates of the event.
The event would “broadly examine, interrogate and proffer practical recommendations to the lingering socio-economic and political challenges confronting the country amidst several policies and programs of the government,” organisers said.
A former governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa; General-Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, Peter Ozo-Esan; and economic analyst, Tope Fashua, are amongst invited panelists.
A former vice-chancellor at the University of Abuja, Nuhu Yaqub, is the chairman of the occasion and keynote speaker.
Their contributions would focus on three priority areas of Mr. Buhari’s government, which include corruption, economy and security.
Other emerging issues such as restructuring, human right abuses, unemployment, amongst others, would also be discussed, according to organisers.
The CDD launched ‘Buharimeter’ shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in to track his campaign promises to Nigerians.
In March, the tracker found that Mr. Buhari had only managed to fulfil one out of 13 campaign promises, representing only 7.7% achievement rate. The fulfilled promise was the declaration of assets by the president and his vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo.
But even this is still a subject of intense debates across the country, as many argue that the president did not fulfill the basics of assets declaration or the precedent set by one of his predecessors, Umar Yar’Adua.
Mr. Yar’Adua, now late, distributed copies of his asset declaration documents as filed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which included specific details like locations of properties declared, their worth and family debt profile.
Mr. Buhari’s declaration did not include those specific details.
As at March, ‘Buharimeter’ said the president was in the process of fulfilling about 46.2% of his anti-corruption promises while noticeable actions were yet to be taken towards achieving six of its 13 promises.
Unlike past editions, this year’s would feature a different format as it won’t facilitate an interaction between senior administration officials and participants. Instead, it would feature a wide array of experts invited to contribute at different panels.
Each of the experts would then engage the audience after their initial takes on allotted subject and time.
Follow live updates of the event here.
10:15 am – Registration and arrival of guests.
Moderator, Imoni Amarere takes the stage as he introduces the panelists.
He said this year’s event is not like the previous one, “when it was we against them. this time we asked Nigerians to come and access governance in the nation.”
“This time, its our show, we Nigerians,” Amarere said.
Idayat Hassan, CDD director takes the stage.
Her welcome address centered on Mr. Buhari’s fight against corruption and insecurity.
Ms. Hassan said Mr. Buhari has spent 881 days in the country and yet issues of corruption and insecurity is still rife in the country.
She said the Buharimeter came out of the challenges to assess governance in the country.
“This will serve as a bridging gap between the people in power and the masses.
” This administration prided its self with fighting corruption but it still lacks viable instrument in the fight.
“Importantly in the last two weeks, the NNPC scandal and issue revolving around Maina’s secret reinstatement is another blow to the anti-graft war.”
Ms. Hassan said the Buhari administration is still under-performing in securing the nation.
She said though these challenges predate the administration but it needs to take charge of the situation.
“Benue state is the most affected with challenges of security with the herdsmen and cattle rustling issue.”
She also accused the Buhari administration of flouting court orders and violations of human rights.
She however commended the administration for its progress in agriculture.
Opening remarks by Jude Ilo, OSIWA Country Officer.
Mr. Ilo who was represented by, Okairo Ezimma, said the event offers the country an opportunity to monitor governance.
He also spoke on the inability of the government to pay salaries.
Panel discussion on State of the Nation commences
First panelist, Simile Hamza, said there is a disconnect in the Nigeria security agencies.
Ms. Hamza said criminal offences are often translated into ethnic battle and rivalry.
She also spoke on the issue of unemployment in the country.
Another panelist, Peter Ozo-Eson spoke on the need for citizens to add voices on issues affecting the nation.
He also stressed the need for a blueprint for the economy.
“We must engage and decide if we should purge the constitution as the first step in mapping out a new blue print for the economy.”
According to the NLC scribe, the constitution is designed in such away that wealth falls on the hands of a limited few.
Be the first to comment