The Nation Newspaper

Tag: delivering

  • ‘We are delivering on our promises’

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said  his administration has run a transparent and accountable government.

    Wike said his administration is delivering on its campaign promises and improving the living standard of the people.

    He spoke at a forum with stakeholders in Port Harcourt yesterday where he presented his scorecard as part of his third anniversary.

    The governor noted that through the achievements of his administration , the state has been lifted from the valley of despair to the height of hope.

    He said: “ It is clear that in the last three years our state has progressed at a rate it has never been. There is no doubt that the foundation that we need to accelerate our development, create jobs and advance our prosperity has firmly been laid.

    “We give thanks to God for these achievements, but we also owe everything to you who are truly driving the change process with your support, encouragement and prayers.”

    Wike said improvements in different sectors have changed the fortunes of the state and securely placed it on the pedestal of sustained growth.

    The governor said: “Before we assumed office, we made a lot of promises as the bases for seeking your mandate. We have also invested time, effort and resources to fulfill these promises.

    “Lest we forget, we all know the state of our state, especially the very poor state of our economy before we took over the mantle of leadership.  However, despite the challenges, we remained undaunted, focused and determined to make the difference we had promised.”

    Wike noted that his investments in road infrastructure has yielded results and improved the economy  through programmed connectivity.

    He said: “As at today, we have delivered tremendously on all the components of the SRDP. For instance, in the last three years, we have consistently invested about 70 per cent of capital expenditure on the provision of road infrastructure.

    ”This has resulted in: Clearing most of the State roads of potholes under our “Operation Zero pothole” programme; Completed 23 out of the 26 strategic road projects we inherited from the previous administration;  Completed 72 out of the 83 new strategic road projects we initiated, while the remainders are at various stages of completion; Built over 10 bridges to within and outside the State capital, connecting towns and communities;

    “   Renewed and improved the roads in several urban neighbourhoods in the State capital and revived the social and economic life of residents of these areas”.

    He said in the last three years, advancing education in the State is another promise that the administration  has kept with budgetary allocation increased  from 5 per cent in 2014 to over 10 per cent in 2018.

    In the justice sector, Governor Wike noted that his administration opened the courts, defended the judiciary and developed Rivers State into a regional judicial hub.

    He said: “As a matter of fact, we did not promise to intervene in federal courts in the State, but we have built and furnished the most modern courthouses in the country for the Port Harcourt Divisions of the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court.

    “We have also reconstructed and modernized the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal complex. We also built an ultra-modern secretariat for the Port Harcourt branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.”

     

  • Ambode: We are delivering more with less

    The Lagos State Civil Service has led the way in reducing waste in government while increasing productivity, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has said.

    The governor said this had been made possible partly through extensive investments in knowledge and skills in the Civil Service.

    Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions Dr. Akintola Benson during a training organised for workers in Lagos, spoke on the topic: “Adopting the lean process improvement culture in the Civil Service to further reduce waste and optimise productivity”.

    He said the state civil service was delivering more with less, noting that the importance of eliminating waste in government cannot be overemphasised.

    According to him, with good and sound processes relating to management of time and resources, meagre resources can be extended to produce outstanding results.

    “The ultimate objective of this training is to identify and codify the methods, means, and strategies for ensuring that the state Civil Service is positioned to do more with less. At the end of this training, officers of the state should be able to produce even more outstanding results with less money, less personnel, and in less time. This, at the end of the day, is ultimate productivity. It frees up resources, both human and capital, for investment in other competing fronts for the benefit of the good people of Lagos State.

    “Many civil servants feel that their priority should be matters of policy, not operations; others resent the notion that they are somehow part of a production line. Moreover, without the incentive of the profit motive, these government managers may believe they have neither a reason nor the levers to pursue a lean approach,”he said.

    He continued: “I will be the first to acknowledge that as has been well documented, persuading people to embark on the lean journey, where the last stop may be their own removal or reassignment, is not easy. To succeed, public-sector organisations must find a way to align their growth strategy, providing new and better services at limited cost, with a regard for the interests of their workers. Although lean programmes may cut the number of public-sector jobs, the goal is to make the remaining ones more rewarding. Incentives come from the prospect of more meaningful work, potentially with room for greater autonomy or a chance to develop new skills.”

    The governor urged participants  to actively participate in the discussions and contribute meaningfully to realising the objectives of the training, adding that it is in the state’s corporate interest to do so.

    “This is because, if the state civil service is able to perfect the art of lean management and operations, the service will be able to eliminate the three sources of loss, which are waste, variability and inflexibility,” noted.

     

  • Buhari: we’re delivering on campaign promises

    Buhari: we’re delivering on campaign promises

    •We’re tackling herdsmen killings

    President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that he remained focused on delivering his campaign promises.

    Buhari was elected for a four-year tenure in 2015.

    The three pronge promises are: securing the lives and properties of Nigerians, halting the pillage of the economy by corrupt public officials and creating employment opportunities for the youth.

    Buhari spoke while receiving the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) at the State House in Abuja.

    He said the initial economic challenge posed by recession was already dwindling with the economy smarting out and posting better results on falling inflation rates, higher foreign reserve and better ranking on ease of doing business.

    Quoting President Buhari at the meeting, presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said: “If you look critically into the 2018 budget, we have already taken into account key issues of more stable electricity, construction of roads and rails, and the airport concession.’’

    The President added that the government would work more to accelerate and increase momentum in agriculture, power, gas, manufacturing and processing. He commended the Chinese government for its support in improving infrastructure in Nigeria.

    “We send our gratitude to the Chinese for all their support to Nigeria. Since Independence, no country has helped our country on infrastructural development like the Chinese.

    “In some projects, the Chinese help us with 85 per cent payment, and soft loans that span 20 years. No country has done that for us,’’ he said.

    The President assured Nigerians that the rising attacks on communities by herdsmen would soon be brought under control by security forces deployed in the vulnerable areas across the country.

    He said the unfortunate incident of attacks, which had resulted in loss of lives and properties, had already brought sorrow and hardship on many Nigerians, with the government deeply affected.

    President Buhari said the government would continue to strengthen its relationship with the NESG, especially in integrating its recommendations into policies that will improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.

    Chairman of the NESG Board of Directors Kyari Abba Bukar, commended the government for the “pragmatic approach’’ in engaging with citizens of Niger Delta region which had translated into steady rise in oil production.

    “We salute your courage in providing support to the states that have had fiscal challenges. We recognise that without the intervention of the Presidency, many state governments would have been unable to pay salaries last year,’’ he said.

    Bukar said the outlook on the economy remained upwardly positive, projecting a 3.5 per cent GDP growth, urging the President to pay more attention on the herdsmen attacks, which could reverse the gains recorded in the agricultural sector.

  • Delivering standard gauge in December shaky, says Amaechi

    Delivering standard gauge in December shaky, says Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday expressed doubt about meeting the December deadline for the delivery of the $1.5 billion standard gauge rail line project.

    Addressing reporters at Papalanto in Ogun State after his inspecting the project and listening to the contractor, the minister gave the project a 50/50 chance of delivery by December.

    Previously, Amaechi had said the project would be completed in December, with the hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will kick-start the commercial operation of the line in January 2019.

    Chinese construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is handling the project.

    Amaechi said: “It is a 50/50/chance. As at last year, yes, they (the CCECC) were keeping to the work schedule. But as it is now, they are lagging behind. We are at a point where we are struggling to complete the civil engineering work before the rains begin. Otherwise, it would have to be suspended until after the rains.”

    By the original schedule, CCECC ought to have begun laying the tracks of the project this month.

    Expressing worry over the delay, the minister said the track-laying will start in April.

    He listed gas pipeline, high tension electric cables, water mains, bridges, among other impediments, as factors militating against the speed of the project.

    Amaechi said: “Our major challenges are in places like Lagos and Abeokuta in Ogun State, which have all been built up. One should expect a slow pace in built-up places. But more speed would be gathered as the project heads to Ibadan.

    “One thing Nigerians should also realise is that this is a three-year project timeline that we are trying to ensure we finish within two years. Though the pace is slow, but it is encouraging.”

    The minister said compensation had been paid for properties that were destroyed because of the project.

    According to him, those with issues are those who have given their lawyers the power of attorney to help them secure their payment.

    He said: “The directive I have issued those in charge is to pay directly to those affected. I will be very glad if they would be the ones to collect their money without having to pay anyone any 10 per cent fees.”

    The inspection took Amaechi through Agege, Itoki, Ijoko, Ewekoro, Papalanto, and Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

  • ‘We are committed to delivering the MDGs’

    ‘We are committed to delivering the MDGs’

    Procter & Gamble (P&G), makers of household brands, has been honoured with the African First Ladies Award for Excellence in social investments across Africa.

    The award was presented by the First Lady of Namibia, Mrs. Penehupifo Pohamba, to the P&G West Africa Vice President, Mr Manoj Kumar.

    At the African First Ladies Summit in Los Angeles, United States, Kumar, who gave a talk on the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to deliver the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa, said P&G has been in sub-Sahara Africa for over 20 years. He said P&G was dedicated to providing everyday basics that help create the experience of home and improve health and boost confidence.

    He said: “P&G provides various hygiene education programmes for over 50 million children in 17 sub Saharan African countries and aims to double this number in 40 African countries by 2016. “With our various social programmes, we are investing and contributing to the overall heath, wellness and vitality of the African people and actively contributing to the attainment of pertinent health focused MDG’s across several countries in Africa.”

    On P&G’s view of the economic climate of Africa, he stated that “P&G is very optimistic about Africa and its potential, 9 Sub-Saharan countries are among the 20 fastest growing economies in 2013. Sub-Saharan GDP is forecast to grow faster than Brazil and Russia between 2013 and 2020. P&G is accelerating its investment in Africa by expanding our manufacturing platform and accelerating geographic expansion through our distribution partners – generating thousands of jobs across SSA and creating hundreds of new SMEs in the region. For example in Nigeria, P&G is expanding its operations with a new state of the art manufacturing plant being built in Ogun State, and just a few weeks back, P&G announced that it would be investing in the construction of a new manufacturing plant in South Africa,” he said. In another development, Procter and Gamble Nigeria has hosted a ‘Thank You Mom’ event to celebrate mothers of Olympians’ in Nigeria at the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria Complex, National Stadium, Lagos.

    Present at the event were the wife of Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs Adenike Ogunlewe, who represented the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola; the permanent secretary of Youth and Sports, Dr. Oshinyimika representing the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Barrister Waheed Oshodi; President, Nigerian Olympians Association, Henry Amike; Renowned Musician, Onyeka Onwenu; Olympic Silver Medallist, Chief Falilat Ogunkoya Omotayo MON; CSP Nigerian Police Force and Olympic Gold Medallist, Chioma Ajunwa amongst others.

    Head, Government Relations, Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Tope Iluyemi said, Procter and Gamble is a proud sponsor of moms worldwide, for their tirelessly contributing to the development of their children.

    “Procter and Gamble is a proud sponsor of moms, and this event is one of the ways we honour moms for the tireless efforts they contribute towards the development of their children. We recognise that behind every amazing athlete is an even more amazing mom. Being in the business of helping moms with brands that make everyday life a little easier, P&G is the proud sponsor of moms in every aspect our business.

    Iluyemi stated that in 2010, P&G signed a 10 year partnership with the International Olympians Committee (IOC) to support the Olympics games and develop youth sports globally and P&G has begun fulfilling that promise locally by donating to 3000 schools across the country as well as renovating sports facilities in various schools pan Nigeria.

    Brand Operations Leader, Procter and Gamble West Africa, Mrs Ehinomen Enekabor in her speech said: “The Thank You Mom campaign recognises and celebrates the moms behind the athletes by thanking moms for all they do, and is part of P&G’s 10 year worldwide partnership with the International Olympians Committee (IOC) and we are using our voice as an IOC partner to thank moms everywhere.”

    The ‘Thank You Mom’ campaign started in 2011 Enekabor said, “And it came to life through variety of media channels and in-stores across the globe. As part of the campaign, we have committed to raise $5 million to support local youth sports programs in many countries and we have started the donations in schools across Nigeria.”

    On why Procter and Gamble is focusing on youth sports development, Enekabor said that, “We wanted to do something that would make a significant difference to moms all over the world so we asked moms in several countries that we could we do to honour them for all they do for their kids and they told is that there was no better way to support moms than by supporting local youth sports organizations for kids. We agree with moms; investing in tomorrow’s champions has to start today. At P&G we maintain that, ‘Promises made… promises kept’ and we intend to keep our promise to the Nigerian people to continue to develop youths’ sports.”

    Excitedly, mother to Nations Cup Gold medallist Peter Rufai, Mrs. Ifeoma Emeter said she is happy that Procter and Gamble has promised to develop sporting facilities and young athletes in Nigeria “I am so for the promise the made to children and the love they have for mothers. May God bless Procter and Gamble. I am very proud of my son and most especially for seeing what he has become today; he has made me proud and the family.”