APBN hails Buhari’s early budget, urges unbundling of ministries

By Agi Onda
Abuja

The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has commended the timely presentation of the N8.6trillion 2018 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the effort as commendable.
The Association, which took a holistic assessment of the cardinal activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the last two years, including security, anti-corruption drive, state of health and social infrastructure at a press briefing in Abuja at the weekend, said the early presentation of the budget estimates would give ample opportunity to all stakeholders to provide useful inputs that will channel the resources to the basic needs of the people.
Presenting the position of APBN on the critical challenges of the nation’s development at the briefing, President of the association, Dr Omede Idris said, “as the umbrella association of majority of professional bodies in our country, APBN will continue to advocate and encourage useful, progressive cooperation and collaboration with the three arms of government, the states and the organised private sector, for the entrenchment of good governance and leadership through engagement of core professionals.”
Specifically, Dr Idris said, “We commend the government for the improved early presentation of the 2018 budget, hoping subsequently in can be presented in October for diligent and ample time to discuss. We also note with delight the remarks by both leadership of the National Assembly during the budget presentation.”
He, however, canvassed for the involvement of the Nigerian professionals in the handling of projects while meting out sanctions to those who might be involved on unethical practices in order to ensure the growth and development of indigenous companies and professionals.
“We encourage professionals in the construction industry to optimise production of affordable local building materials to stimulate affordable housing and other infrastructure projects in Nigeria. This is also expected in the medical/health sector, particularly for human drug, medical laboratory, chemical and reagents, vaccine, veterinary drugs production,” he stated.
He called on President Buhari to unbundle some ministries and appoint professionals to assist government in driving the change mantra to its promised land, saying “APBN is in support of the recent announcement by Mr. President to expand his cabinet in order to widen the scope of his vision for change.”
Dr Idris also commended the national assembly for the level of cooperation so far exhibited and tasked members to ensure the patriotic assessment, deliberations and passage of the 2018 budget in order to bring about the needed impacts on the people.

 

 

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