APC urges speedy implementation of 2016 Budget

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the speedy implementation of the recently passed 2016 budget. Its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement said: “The APC calls on Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure effective and speedy implementation of the 2016 Appropriation Act so that the objectives of the unprecedented N6.06 trillion 2016 National ‘Budget of Change’ will be realized”, pointing out that: “commendably, 30 per cent of the 2016 budgetary provision has been committed to capital projects”.

The ruling party hailed the eventually signing of Nigeria’s 2016 Appropriation Bill into law by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday and also commended both arms of the 8th National Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives – for its successful consideration and passage of the 2016 National Budget.

The party also commended Nigerians for their patience and understanding during the consideration, passage and eventual presidential assent to the 2016 Appropriation Act, stating that the 2016 National Budget caters for many of the promises made to the Nigerian electorate by the party. “The APC assures Nigerians that the 2016 National Budget caters for many of the promises made to the Nigerian electorate by the party in the course of the 2015 presidential campaign. This includes the safety net created to cater for the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians amongst other pro-people developmental policies.

“Already, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has announced that the implementation of the 2016 budget will focus on 34 key programmes grouped under four thematic areas – security/policy governance, diversification of economy, succour for vulnerable Nigerians, and reflating the economy through investments. “The APC hereby calls on all stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to support and ensure the success of the laudable programmes contained in the 2016 National budget as they will positively affect every facet of Nigeria’s socio-economic life”, the statement stressed. In another development,

National Chairman of APC, Chief Odigie-Oyegun has disclosed that the execution of National railway projects contained in the N6.06 trillion 2016 National Budget is one of the priorities for the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. While recalling that 30 per cent of 2016 budgetary provision has been committed to capital projects, the APC National Chairman identified the railway projects as one of the critical infrastructural focus of the administration.

Oyegun made the disclosure in Abuja at a dinner held in his honor by Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch) on Saturday night. The APC National Chairman graduated from the school in 1957. He said: “As at today, the economy is in the process of being refloated; meaning that money is being put into the system Contractors are being mobilized to go back to work. New contracts will be awarded. The railway will be one of the very first priorities.

We will, for the first time go from Kano to Lagos through Benin City all the way to Calabar by rail.” The APC National Chairman said that the administration was in the process of building a new solid foundation and credible image for the country. He appealed for patience and the cooperation from Nigerians as the administration is working to pull the country out of the present hardship.

“We are not shutting our eyes to the pains of the Nigerian people because it is real. It is genuine. We can only plead for patience. Thank God the APC government has its very first national budget and the implementation of that budget will be passionately pursued”, he added. He said in the coming months, the safety net created by the administration to cater for the poorest and vulnerable Nigerians and other economic initiatives aimed at diversifying and boosting the economy will be implemented, adding: “the result at the end of the day is going to be a more vibrant Nation which every Nigerian will be proud of.”

The APC National Chairman thanked Saint Patrick’s College, Asaba Old Boys Association for what he described as “wonderful display of love and affection” extended to him. He pledged to support initiatives aimed at developing the school. Earlier, the President of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch), Ogbuefi Tony Anyameluhor eulogised the APC National Chairman for his focused leadership that led to the APC’s victories in the 2015 General Elections. He also urged Nigerians to be patient as the administration works to rebuild the country.

He said: “Many Nigerians will appreciate what God has done by bringing in a party with zero tolerance for corruption, a party that upholds the principle of one person one vote grounded in free and fair elections at all levels. “Less than one year of this administration, looted funds are being repatriated and they are going to be judiciously used for the benefit of all Nigerians.

No doubt, the APC administration is faced with many challenges which it inherited. What is required from Nigerians is patience as it is easier to destroy than to rebuild”, he added. Also, the National President of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Old Boys Association, Col. Paul Ogbebor while delivering a lecture at the dinner identified technology as a key driver to achieving economic transformation in the country. Ogbebor urged the President Buhari administration to establish a National construction bank, in line with the infrastructure drive of the administration.

He said the bank will amongst others, check corruption in government payment processes for awarded contracts. Dignitaries at the dinner included the APC Woman Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso; Chairman Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye; Senator Domingo Obende; Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Edwin Ikhinmwin, the Ojisi of Ogwashi Ukwu and Patron of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch), Chief A.O Okafor and members of the Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association