We’ll fast-track solutions to recession – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said the Federal Government was considering fast-tracking the solutions to engender a rebound in the country’s economic fortunes. 

He spoke on a day mixed reactions trailed the declaration of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, last weekend, that the country’s recovery from recession would begin in the last quarter of the year, specifically December. 

While some players in the private sector, such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, contended that it was not possible for the country to recover in so short a period, others as Bismarck Rewane noted that though the country had bottomed out on the way to recovery, full recovery would take no less than 18 months to achieve. 

President Buhari, who spoke at the Nigerian Institute of Management’s 2016 Annual Management Conference in Abuja, with the theme, Building a New Nigeria: Strategic Options and Policy Imperatives, also solicited support of every Nigerian in the quest to move the country forward, instead of sitting back to criticise every attempt at governance. 

Buhari, who was represented by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, said: “The Nigerian project is faced with several challenges on every facet of the society and the solutions to these challenges must be fast tracked, if we must get the economy up and running again. 

“I want to use this opportunity to urge other professional bodies, corporate bodies and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the kind gesture of NIM by lending their support to this administration, instead of sitting by to criticise every attempt at governance. It is by synergising with government that we can all build the Nigeria of our dreams.” 

Buhari vowed to continue his fight against corruption and other associated social vices at all levels of national life until they were exterminated from the body polity. 

“To set this country on the path of greatness and prosperity, complete elimination of all forms of corrupt practices must be on the front burner and our collective consciousness always. 

“You will agree with me that great nation is the reward of great leadership built on good governance. This is our motivation and value proposition,” he maintained. 

Also speaking, President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Emeritus Professor Munzali Jibril, blamed the country’s abysmal performance in all indices of development over the years on the colossal mismanagement of the country’s resources.