By Shola Abayomi.
President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, today, enjoined all state governors to look for possible ways of improving their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR), while also focusing on security, education, health and agriculture.
The President disclosed this while inaugurating the new National Economic Council (NEC), whose tenure will run from 2019 to 2023, and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
President Buhari who had in his first tenure, released series of bailout funds to the governors, said, “Going forward, States must in the next four years find ways to increase internally generated revenues, improve VAT collection and increase agricultural output without disrupting business activities.
“I also want you to work with the Federal Agencies and the service providers in ensuring that broadband infrastructure is made available all over the country. Information and Communication Technology is the future of work and we must not allow ourselves to be left behind.
“Let me restate the high expectations on NEC as a veritable source of articulating policies and programmes that are expected to drive growth and development, secure our environment and take the country to the next level.
“Your Excellencies, I want you to pay special attention to the four major issues of security, education, health and agriculture in the coming years of this tenure. As you are no doubt aware, our successes in these four areas will go a long way in lifting our people out of poverty and secure our future for sustainable growth and development.
“The challenges that confront us in the next few years, especially in the areas of security, human capital development and employment for our youths are monumental and historic. But we are more than equal to the task”, the president said.
The National Economic Council (NEC) was established for the purpose of advising the President on economic policy of the country and in particular, co-ordination of the economic planning efforts, and programmes of the three- tiers of Government.