Ministers, BON Meet To Discuss State Of The Nation

5 ministers meet with the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria to discuss state of the nation, at the transcorp Hilton, abuja on the 26th, May 2016.

The meeting was put in place to discuss the state on the nation, as the administration marks 1 year in office. The ministers present were, Lai Muhammed, minister of Information and Culture, the FCT minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, minister of Industry, Trades and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah and the minister Labour and Employment.

Each of the ministers spoke on their achievements and challenges since assuming office 6months ago, and the way forward for the economy.

The broadcasters affirmed that they where there to listen and participate actively.

The minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in his opening speech thanked the people of Nigeria for their support, understanding and perseverance. He stated that the key campaign promises made by the administration were being looked into.

He said that despite the hard times faced by the country due to loss in over 60% of its revenue from oil, the government is aware that it was not elected to make excuses but to put the nation to sound economic standing, ensure security of lives and properties and banish corruption.

The minister said steps are being taking to diversifying the economy by moving the focus from oil to agriculture, culture and tourism, creating employment for the masses, and curtailing insurgency, kidnapping, cattle rustling.

The minister of industry, trades and investment, Okechukwu Enelamah in his address, explained the vision for the economy at large. He said that the priority of the minister of industry, trade and investment is to create an enabling environment to attract investors and promote businesses, to implement the Nigerian industrial revolution, and support Micro Small and Medium enterprise grow.

The MITI said he would be working in hand with other ministers to help diversify the economy, to look towards textile industry, petrochemical industry, auto industry and the SME's

On investment the minister said " we want to be proactive by inviting the right investors, people who will bring long term investment to the economy, bring the know how, bring access to market, bring good will. And in working together to create a win-win partnership with them.

"No one ministry can do it alone. The singular most important ingredient of industrialization is power"

" I am confident that if we put all these in place, the economy will pick up again.

The minister oh Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashion SAN, in his address called to mind that within the last 50years the country had experienced plummets in its economy. He said that he had no doubt that the country would bounce back.

"To get back on track, we must hold on to the successes that have been made in the area of security".

On the frame work to revive the economy, he said " as far as power is concerned our road map is to get increments in power supply, move from there to steady power supply and move from there to uninterrupted power"

" for works, particularly roads, what we must first achieve is connectivity of roads, repair failed sections of road, so has to reduce journey time and cost of transportation.

"For housing, our goal first is standardization and this will take us to industrialization and that would take us to mass production.

The minister of the FCT, Mallam Mohammed Must Bello, in his speech said that a number of investors have shown interest in the nation, and when he asked about their interest they replied that the fundamental if the country Nigeria were great, the potentials are present and above all they have seen direction and transparency.

He mentioned various steps take with different ministries to help forster the economy.

The minister of Labour and employment, Dr Chris Nigeria, in his speech said his ministry has help reduce the expected rise in unemployment in the nation, and an increase in the training of personals for blue collared jobs.