President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday vowed to leave no stone unturned to rid Nigeria of fraud and corruption.
He made the remark while addressing State House staff that gathered at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to formally welcome him back from his medical vacation.
According to him, those that take whatever does not belong to them will be made to face prosecution.
He said: “All fraud must stop. If they don’t believe us, they should go try and see those we caught red handed with public funds. This exercise will continue as long as this leadership is here.
“Whoever takes anything that does not belong to him or that he is not entitled to, it will be documented and the person will be taken to court. This is the only way I think we can bail ourselves out.
“I am asking you to dedicate yourselves more to your country because I said more than 30 years ago, that there is no other country we can call our home, but Nigeria,” he said.
He added: “We are determined to rehabilitate our country for the sake of our children and our grandchildren. I have never in my life from class monitor to this place, twice in different forms, believed in corruption.
“But we don’t touch anybody who did not touch public funds, you should behave yourself. If you don’t have houses in Abuja and the whole of Europe, you will sleep soundly. You and your family will earn respect. But if you shortchange the treasury, you will be caught and I pity your family because people will be abusing them.
“People will be calling you big thieves that how did you raise money to build all the houses in Abuja and Europe with your meager salary? I think personal integrity is something to be encouraged. I assure you that I am absolutely dedicated to serve Nigeria. Those who behave themselves will never regret, but those who don’t behave themselves, will have problem,” he added.
He noted that one of the greatest challenges his administration is facing is not meeting any savings on ground despite the huge income from sales of oil which crashed as low as $30 per barrel since 2014.
Picking on power, he said that there was virtually no improvement in the sector since 1999 despite the billions of Naira spent.
The President also said that it was shameful that most states in the country can’t pay workers’ salaries.
He said: “27 out of the 36 states couldn’t pay salaries. This is a disgrace to Nigeria. It is a disgrace up till now most of the states cannot pay salaries. What happened to all we have gotten over the years? We look up and down, left, right and centre, what have we saved? There was nothing because we developed a consumption culture that we were not supposed to develop. Most of your colleagues that have left service, I doubt if they are getting benefits. That is the situation we find ourselves in.”
Noting that the army has made remarkable improvement against insurgency in the northeast part of the country, he observed that militants in the Niger Delta are competing on destroying oil installations.
He said: “Unfortunately, the other unstable part of the country, the Niger Delta, with their myriads of organizations that are competing over which one can do more damage to the country and the oil companies and oil wells. For how long are we going to do this?”
Stressing that it is not easy to preach change to the people for what they are used to since 1999, he however said that there is no going back on the change agenda of the administration.
He said: “The change must take place because as I said, when we were used to getting $100 par barrel… this reflects on the economic predicament the country finds itself. This has affected the morale and integrity of a lot of people who bother to ask what is happening to their country.
“The fact that you work here, no matter what level, people expects you to know and they expect you to discuss with them intelligently and show your concern for your country and what we are going to leave for our children and grandchildren. Let’s not lose the opportunity for the future so that we can build infrastructure.”
On the power sector, he said: “Look at power, how much did we spend on power? from barbers to factories, shops, we all depend on power. There is virtually no improvement from 1999 till now no matter how many billions they have spent.
According to him, the immediate alternative to revamp the economy is to embrace agriculture and the solid minerals sectors.
He said: “That was why we voted a lot of money for agriculture so that we can at least feed ourselves. And once we can feed ourselves, we can say okay let the struggle continue. At a least we can eat two to three meals par day.
“We have to quickly go back to the farm. It is too late for this year. But next year, we will make a better arrangement to make sure next year, we can feed ourselves.” He said
Changes aimed at reducing costs of governance, he said, included pruning down of the number of ministries from 42 to 24.
On his medical vacation, he said: “I thank you for welcoming me back from my health break. You are the judges, perhaps I look healthier than I left or I came worse.”
Speaking earlier on behalf of the staff, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi, said: “We are here to welcome you back from your well-deserved vacation.
He reassured the President of the staff’ commitment and loyalty to his core value of integrity, transparency, accountability and fear of God.
The Permanent Secretary also promised that the staff will continue to do their best on what is expected of them.
He also prayed for good health, God’s guidance and wisdom to continue to lead the nation.
