President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari today called on members of the National Assembly to work with him in the task of addressing the development challenges that confront Nigeria.
Speaking at an induction programme for new national legislators organized by the National Institute for Legislative Studies in Abuja, the incoming leader told them, “I need the support of the Members of National Assembly on the battle front. I need your support in many respects.”
Outlining those areas of concern, he noted, first, that appropriate policies need to be put in place that may have to be translated into laws.
Second, he said, the oversight functions of the legislature are critical in ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and transparently, stressing that his mission to bring integrity into governance would better succeed if complemented with a strong culture of transparent oversight.
“Thirdly, we need to collaborate on the budget process and restructuring of the public sector so as to collectively tackle the menace of high recurrent cost at the expense of capital and human development.
“Fourthly, there is an urgent need to contain this high state of insecurity,” he said, reminding the elected legislators that as they all represent various communities, it was essential for both the legislature and the executive to work together to address the problem from both its roots and manifestations.
He noted that the strongest mitigating forces right now are to redress the power sector deficits, encourage investments that are job-creating and focus on human development and reconstruction.
“I am here today, to invite you to work with the executive as partners in progress, as champions of good governance and development and as warriors for change,” General Buhari said. “Together, we can make this nation great and as a role model in Africa and other emerging economies and democracies.”
Also on Wednesday in Abuja, General Buhari inaugurated a 19-member Transition Committee to liaise with its Federal Government counterpart to ensure a smooth transition.
The All Progressives Committee (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in a statement that the committee was mandated to develop a clear framework for liaison with the out-going Administration for purposes of a smooth hand-over/take-over.
The committee, which has two weeks to complete its assignment, is also to receive hand-over documents from Ministries, Departments and Agencies and itemise the most important or most urgent issues confronting the in-coming government
Mohammed said the committee was also saddled with reviewing and making a preliminary assessment of the balance sheet of government with particular emphasis on the status of assets and liabilities of the government; its cash flow position; its quantum of public domestic and external government and their deployment; the government’s out-standing contractual obligations and its ability to meet such obligations and the status of implementation of capital projects.
“The committee is also expected to undertake a preliminary assessment of the security challenges facing the country and the counter-insurgency measures taken by the government thus far; the counter policy measures being implemented in the Niger Delta to deal with unrest and major economic crimes in the area. In particular, the status of the Amnesty Programme, the readiness of the Police and other national security and intelligence agencies in addressing threats to law and order and provide a brief over-view of CBN, NNPC, NCC, Customs and FIRS.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the President-elect charged the committee to assess the information provided to it and to advise him on its quality and accuracy, stressing that in order to shape appropriate policy decisions, it is essential to have the right information.
''Needless to repeat, that your Committee - and indeed our Government - are not on a witch-hunt or engaged in fault-finding. We want the facts
and nothing but the facts. What has been done cannot be undone. Our job is to learn from the mistakes of the past and attempt to avoid similar,'' he said.
According to the APC spokesman, the committee is also mandated to suggest “quick fixes” which will result in tangible, visible and practical measures so that CHANGE will be seen after 30 days, after 100 days, after 6 months of the Administration taking office, and to make any other observations which in its would be helpful to the transition and the take-off of the new administration. The committee has two weeks to conclude its work
Gen. Buhari hailed the calibre of the committee's membership, saying they represent some of the best Nigeria can offer. He described the committee chairman, Malam Ahmed Joda, as one of the few surviving links between First Republic civil service to the present day, a man whose versatility includes farming, industry and 21st century IT, and one of Nigerian’s precious assets.
Full list of Transition Committee members:
1. Mal. Ahmed Joda - Chairman
2. Dr Doyin Salami - Vice-Chairman
3. Mr Boss Mustapha
4. Mal. Muhammad Hayatuddin
5. Alh. Abubakar Malami SAN
6. Brig. Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa
7. Sen. Hadi Sirika
8. Sen. Audu Ogbeh
9. Barrister Dalong
10. Mrs Bola Adesola
11. Mr Wale Edun
12. Mrs Nike Aboderin
13. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu
14. Mr Festus Odimegwu
15. Chief John Oyegun
16. Gov. Rotimi Amaechi
17. Dr Tam David West
18. Alh.Lai Mohammed
19 Mal Adamu Adamu - Secretary