President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated his position that ministers should always channel their meeting requests to him through his Chief of Staff, Prof
President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated his position that ministers should always channel their meeting requests to him through his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari. He said, “Let me also reiterate that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests should be channelled through the Chief of Staff, while all Federal Executive Council matters should be coordinated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“I have directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and all other responsible agencies to ensure speedy and timely release of funds to MDAs for implementation of the N2.3trn Economic Sustainability Plan and the capital projects in the 2020 budget.
“I also enjoin ministers to ensure that funds released are utilised efficiently and transparently in implementing the programmes and projects under the line priorities areas of government. I hereby charge the ministers, permanent secretaries and all heads of parastatals to be continuously conscious of their commitment and responsibilities.
“On behalf of the people of Nigeria, I demand uttermost levels of performance, deliverables and results. I look forward to a result-oriented year with tremendous benefits that will continue to change lives of our people positively.”
Buhari decried what he called “insufficient collaboration, coordination and synergy” among implementing ministries, departments and agencies, saying that era should end. In that regard, he said he had directed that essential coordination delivery unit in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation be revived to ensure that government focuses on results.
This is the second time that the president would give such directive to ministers. The first time was in 2019 when he asked them to submit such requests through Abba Kyari, his late chief of staff. But the instruction at the time triggered different reactions, with some critics of the Buhari administration saying the president had handed over to Kyari.
