By Adodo Osewengie
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigerians should be fair in criticising his administration on performance noting that the administration is doing everything possible to leave a lasting legacy after he has left office.
Buhari stated this on Thursday on an assignment to commission some projects executed by the state governor, His Excellency, Babagana Zulum.
According to the President, Nigerians should be fair enough to reflect on the prices of the oil boom from 1999 to 2015 when it was sold for $100 per barrel adding that on his assumption of office in 2015, there was a steep fall in the price of oil to $36 per barrel.
Relatively, he said the volume of oil generated per day fell from 2.1million barrels per day to about 500,000 barrels per day due to the rise in militancy in the creeks of the Niger Delta. He added that Nigerians can confirm from the records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from 1999 to 2015.
Buhari solicited the help of the elite who are much informed of the problems the administration inherited despite the paucity of funds and the effort his administration is putting in to ensure he leaves behind strong legacies, to educate the less informed people of the great strides his administration has recorded so far.
The President in his speech said, “Nigerians should be fair to the administration in terms of reflecting on where we were before we came in 2015 and where we are now.
“In relative to time and resources, I want people to check with CBN and NNPC between 1999 and 2015.
“When we came, unfortunately, the militants from the South-South were unleashing on the pipelines, the production went down to half a million barrels per day.
“The prices went down to 36 dollars per barrel. So relative time and resources would make you know that this administration has worked hard,” he said.
Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Umar Elkanemi, the Shehu of Borno has commended President Buhari for the great successes recorded in the area of the fight against insecurity noting that so many internally displaced persons were already returning to their homes.
Elkanemi said that most of the people of Borno have already started going to their farms adding that the Buhari’s administration has recorded a great feat in trimming down the level of insurgency in the state.
He solicited for the President to look towards developing some of the infrastructures in the state highlighting the importance of key road projects such Damboa-Biu, Gamborun Ngala, Biu – Shani, Kukawa – Guzamala – Damasak – Gashagar – Malam Fatori which would help boost the economic activities in the state.
The royal father is optimistic that with the level of commitment by the Nigerian military forces towards the fight against insurgency in the state, the remnants of the insurgents will be completely defeated soon.
He commended the military for the bravely and thanked them for putting their lives at stake to sieve away the shafts of insecurity that presently float on the surface of a peaceful nation especially in the Northeast sub-region.
He revealed that for some of the members of the dreaded sect in the region, Boko Haram, to have resulted in surrendering their arms and pledging their loyalty to the Nigerian state, portrays the dedication of the Nigeria armed in winning the war over insurgency.
The royal father said that on his part he will continue to pray for peace to return to the country while commending the President for the successes recorded by his administration towards growing a strong economy.
According to him, “on our part, we will not relent in prayers for their success for peace to prevail in all part of the country and indeed for Mr. President who despite all odds, achieved tremendous successes in the rapid development in all sector of the Nigeria economy.
“To Gov. Babagana Zulum, who despite the security challenges in this state, has left no stone unturned in making efforts to restore the peace as well as embark on projects which have a positive impact in the lives of our people. May Allah grants him more strength,” he added.
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, attributed the successes recorded on the aspect of security to the Joint Taskforce comprising of the Nigerian Military, Civilian Joint Taskforce, and Paramilitary outfits noting that peace has gradually crept into the state.
Zulum assuring the Borno state citizens of his commitment to continue to partner with the military service chiefs, pinpointed certain areas in the state that are still of security threats which are Akira Uba and the shores of Lake Chad in northern Borno.(NAN)
