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Obasanjo unfolds poverty scheme’s
priority areas Guardian 2000-02-04 PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday unfold details of his poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) into which N10 billion has already been committed. He said the main trust of the programme will be on agriculture, works and housing, water resource development, environment, sanitation, health care delivery and education. Addressing multi sectorial agencies at PAP’s formal launching and the inauguration of state committees that will oversee its implementation in the states and the Federal Capital Territory, the president said about 200,000 jobs will be created. He expressed optimism that with these steps the e worrisome crime rate, youth unrest and infrastructural decay will be arrested. He added that the new job creation figures was in addition to the earlier promised five million to be realised on a long term basis. The president who was flanked by Finance Minister Mallam Adamu Ciroma, his his Works and Housing counterpart Chief Tony Anenil, Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura (Agriculture) Hassan Adamu (Environment) among others said the somewhat talk order was achievable if “We can plug the holes of imprudent spending, corruption, greed and planlessness.” In doing this the president acknowledged that he will be stepping on toes in wrecking the old order. “We know that we are going to be stepping on toes because we are going to block access to cary money by the indolent and greedy and to that extent they will want to fight back but to that extent two, we will work and pray that they do not succeed in fighting back, as we believe that this is God’s appointed time for us in Nigeria to get things right.” The president who spoke extempore for about 30 minutes held the audience spellbound with his sense of humour and ability to draw examples of a non-elitist nature. He lamented that Nigeria population was growing at 2.8 per cent while the nation’s economic growth was 2.4 per cent. Stressing that the implication was that the country was becoming poorer every year. He stressed. “If is dedication that we need for this great task ... I have written to every state government on the issue and asked that two of their officials must be seconded to the working committee. Whatever we do at the federal level we expect tat it will be complemented by the states...” Responding to enquires from the floor, the president vowed that his administration will not use only one method in the fight against poverty but “all available means”. Assuring that the PAP’s general ripples will reflate the economy empowerment, he said this will be enhanced with sharpening of skills and skills development...”People are now to be productive, inspiring sustainable development which will also be visibly qualifiable.” He added: “Poverty stares all of us in the face.. I am available for dialogue at anytime so that where we want to be and how to get there. I speak to you about this like this because I know what it is... “If you want to know how poor people feel, just go and fast for one day and you will know what it means to be poor especially when you have no job. So you can imagine the indignity.” The president declared that God does not decree poverty for anyone through destiny “It is human beings who make other poor through oppression. it is because of man’s inhumanity toman that we are poor and we say Nigeria is well endowed for all to be alright and that's why we are here to correct things to make sure that every Nigerian issue of at least two square meals per day. “it is only people like my Special Assistant, Media (Dr. Doyin Okupe who immediately stood up) who need three square meals a day (General laughter). President Obasanjo also warned against the phenomenon of ghost workers in the PAP scheme saying “Anybody who brings in ghost workers will become our ghost and let me let you into one secret, we have a finance minister who is very strict so if you steal money, not only will he pray five times a day that you do not enjoy the money, he will pray five times for God to take away the money from your pocket. He specifically asked members of the implementation committee to be very thorough and dedicated in the discharge of their duties, stressing that because the Federal Government had placed the greatest premium on the success of the programme it would not tolerate any tardiness or dishonesty in its implementation. |
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