Jonathan Dissolves Advisory Panel, Govt Tackles Inflation and Unemployment

[TGD]

 THE Government yesterday put Nigeria's inflation and unemployment rates at 13.2 and 21.2 per cent respectively but pledged to reduce them to single-digits figures.

"Our target is to bring it (unemployment rate) to single digit. The inflation rate is at 13.2 per cent. Again, the target is single-digit inflation," the National Planning Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, said on a day President Goodluck Jonathan formally dissolved the 26-member Presidential Advisory Council (PAC).

Jonathan also explained that the membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was large due to the constitutional provision, which stipulates that each state of the country must produce a minister.

Jonathan, who held a valedictory session with members of the Advisory Council at the Presidential Villa Abuja, added that his personal preferences tilt towards a leaner and highly efficient cabinet, which, due to extant constitutional provisions, is virtually impossible.

Usman, who presented the performance report of the economy as at December 31, 2010 stated that for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), "Nigeria is doing very well, one of the highest in the world, at 7.8 per cent. But this is growth without employment and without equity. There are some concerns about the impact on employment of this growth and the levels of inequality that is happening in the system. At the moment, unemployment rate is currently at about 21. 2 per cent, which is too high for Nigeria.

"Our target is to bring it (unemployment rate) to single digit. The inflation rate is at 13.2 per cent. Again the target is single digit inflation. If you look at some sectors like the agricultural sector, you will notice that it is growing very well at between eight and 10 per cent. But again, what is contributing to the growth of that sector? It seems to be as a result of the expansion of some factors of production rather than productivity. So, we are not improving productivity in agriculture and we have been lucky, also because of the favourable weather we have been enjoying in the last four to five years.

"But you cannot continue to rely on the weather alone. The emphasis is on value addition. The industrial sector is not doing very well and as at now it is contributing less than five per cent to GDP. Now, that is very small by any standard and of course, you know the reasons, which include the challenges of infrastructure, especially power. That suggests what actions we need to take say by the incoming minister."

Usman stated that the bulk of the performance report "will be very useful to Mr. President who will now use it as basis for setting performance standards for the new incoming ministers. The statistics were collated from various sources, local, international national bureau of statistics, NNPC, etc. A lot of the original data were collated from the MDAs and we have taught them how to collect these data. We sit down sometimes in Council, taking decisions that affect Nigerians without having enough statistical information and this is not very good for us, it is very dangerous. But with this, Mr. President can speak based on facts."

The PAC, led by elder statesman and former Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) was inaugurated on March 4 last year immediately after the National Assembly passed the "doctrine of necessity" mandating Jonathan to act as President in the light of confusion on the state of health of late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

The Council was mandated to evaluate policy implementation and advise on areas requiring adjustments; to advise the President on how to maximize the benefits derivable from government's efforts; to advise on such actions and programmes that may improve credibility and performance of the government, and advise on any other matter referred to it by the President.

Jonathan told the former Council members that "your suggestion for a smaller cabinet is excellent and I agree with you, but this cannot be achieved without constitutional amendment."

The President however said suggestions and advice which PAC offered to the Government played a key role in stabilizing the Administration, and that its final report would form part of the policy direction of the incoming administration.

He thanked them for accepting to serve the nation in spite of their individual schedules, and informed them that the Federal Government would continue to tap from their wealth of experience in the years ahead.

Earlier, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Chairman of the PAC, said they were privileged to have been selected to proffer advise to the new administration of President Jonathan, adding that all members had contributed immensely to the Committee's work.

He advised the President to apply the same diligence he applied in selecting the PAC to the appointment of his new cabinet from among the abundant qualified Nigerians willing to serve the country, and expressed the Committee's appreciation for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

Other members of the Council include foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, who served as Deputy Chairman, Mr. Fola Adeola, Malam Abubakar Gimba, Mr. Basil Omiyi, Alhaji M. D. Yusufu, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Ambassador G. B. Preware, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji and Mr. Kase Lawal, Malam Muhammed Hayatuddeen, Mr. Justice Alfa Belgore, Honourable Chibudom Nwuche, Mrs. Mobola Johnson, Hajiya Halita Aliyu, Alhaji Magaji Danbatta, Prof. B. G. Bajoga, Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Bolujoko, Mrs. Mariam Uwais and Chief Kanu Agabi, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, Alhaji Ismaila Isa, Prof. Shehu Said Sarinwata, Dr. Simon C. Okolo, Dr. Prof Dan Odebiyi and Chairman, National Economic Summit Group. The Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation serves as Secretary.

The FEC, presided by Jonathan, according to Information Minister, Labaran Maku, ratified the President's anticipatory approval for the award of contracts for 10 infrastructural development projects in nine states of the Niger Delta Region, in favour of respective contractors, in the total sum of N23.171,244,889.86.

The Council also ratified the President's anticipatory approval for the award of contracts in respect of three Land Reclamation and Erosion control/Shoreline projects in the Niger Delta at a total cost of N5,813,743,373.92.

The projects include the Land Reclamation and Erosion Control Project at Essien Town-Ekorinin Community, Calabar, Cross River State at a contract sum of N1,948,302,432.28 and a completion period of 12 months; Land Reclamation and Erosion Protection at Amadi Ama, Port Harcourt, Rivers State at a total cost of N1,434,400,664.69 and a completion period of 12 months and the Land Reclamation and Erosion Protection at Ogbobagbene, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State at a contract sum of N2,431,040,276.95 and a completion period of 12 months.

The Council also approved the augmentation of the contract sum for the 50 kilometres dualisation East-West Road, Section IV (Eket-Oron) in Akwa Ibom State, in favour of Messrs Gitto Construzioni Generali (Nig) Ltd at a new cost of N11,509,550,669.15. The revised contract for the project is now N37,509,550,669.15 with a new completion date of 11th June 2012.

The Council also approved the President's anticipatory approval for the award of contract for the construction of Emakalakala-Akipelai Roads and Bridges in Bayelsa State at a total cost of N3,313,465,196.33 and a completion period of 15 months and the contract for the consultancy services for the design Seaport Development at Gelegele in Edo State at a total cost of N224,989,864.00 and a completion period of six months.



Source: Jonathan dissolves advisory panel, govt tackles  inflation

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A good leading for Nigeria.

[Davo]

President dissolves advisory council, says no to 'small' cabin.

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally dissolved the Presidential Advisory Council as he gets   set to commence a four-year term in office on May 29. He held farewell talks with members of PAC.