President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his administration will now ramp up efforts to achieve rapid economic growth in Nigeria.
The president who spoke at a meeting with the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) in Abuja, said his administration’s policy of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty will now be pursued with determination.
According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, after the council’s meeting, Buhari said the country requires a poverty reduction strategy that will usher in rapid, sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The president told the meeting also attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that he was shocked to learn that of the vast agricultural land resources available to the nation, only two percent of it was under irrigation.
“We will make the best use of the land. Thank you for shaking us up. We are now awake; we will not doze off again. We didn’t just bump into this; we believe it is something we can deliver on.”
PEAC Chairman, Doyin Salami, had in his presentation congratulated Nigeria upon its exit from recession, and warned that the strength of the economic growth must be driven in a way that it would overtake population growth.
“Poverty is not only the lack of cash; it is defined by lack of access to shelter, health, education and jobs which must all be addressed,” he said.
“We are consolidating on the achievements of the past and avoiding past mistakes; it is the first time that everyone is coming on board – federal government, states, the private sector, development partners and the civil society. Poverty reduction must not be left to the federal government alone; it is everybody’s responsibility.”
