By Ahmed Idris.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would be expanded to accommodate people with fresh ideas to be injected into the government.
The President said this at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the national secretary of the party in Abuja.
He specifically emphasised that the FEC would be expanded to bring in more supporters at the federal level.
“By the same token the compressed Federal Executive Council will be expanded to bring in more supporters at Federal Level, with fresh ideas to be injected into the government,’’ he said.
The President also expressed regrets over the inability of his administration to re-constitute the boards of government agencies more than two years into the life of the administration despite promises, and reassured that the appointments would soon be made.
“Last year I said we would re-constitute the Boards of Parastatals. I must regret the fact that we have not done so, for many reasons. Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015 for this exercise to start.
“But there have been inordinate delays through several Committees in an attempt to get the balance right and to make sure all parts of the country are equitably represented.
“On the other hand I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced. By the Grace of God these appointments will be announced soon, especially now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees,” he said.
The President also spoke on the achievements of his administration, saying that the country’s image and prestige had gone up as a result of policies and programmes of government.
“We can be proud of our achievements in the last two years, Boko Haram, Niger Delta, Regular Fuel, Improved Power, TSA, Agriculture and Fertilizer, above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this Government. We all know there is CHANGE. Nevertheless, we are not resting on our achievements. I am quite aware of the challenges before us,” he said.
He commended the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara for the cooperation and understanding of the National Assembly including some non-APC members who rose above petty party interests and acted in the national interest.
The President also commended governors for their determination to maintain unity and tolerance among the diverse communities in their states even in the face of challenges.
