President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday urged governors of the 36 states of the federation to strengthen their revenue base, promote agriculture , and improve debt management. He gave the advise while inaugurating the National Economic Council (NEC) session of 2019-2023 and the 95th meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari’s administration supported states with close to N2 trillion in form of restructuring of loans, refunds on federal roads, refund for Paris Club, which helped encouraged economic activities in the states, payment of salaries, payment of pensions, payment of gratuities and overall investment by infrastructural spendings.
“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.
The President urge the NEC Coordination Team to in the next four years press forward with key initiatives that will strengthen theimplementation mechanism, enhance cooperation across States and further promote joint deliberations, peer learning and experience sharing, under a very strong Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
The inauguration was witnessed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; the Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.
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