Jonathan to ministers: sit up

President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a marching order to his ministers to increase their pace of work.

The directive is coming on the heels of the President’s recent promise to make more impact this year.

Dr. Jonathan, who spoke during the year’s first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting according to Mr. Labaran Maku, Minister of Information, charged ministers to move faster.

He added that President Jonathan wants to see progress and better delivery.

Besides, Maku, who spoke to reporters alongside Minister of Education Ruqqayyat Rufai, Minister of Tourism, Edem Duke and Minister of State, Finance, Yerima Ngama, said the President also charged ministers to buckle up and work as a team.

He said: “Mr President gave us a marching order to work harder, faster and deliver results. He said we must all buckle up and make sure all our agencies deliver results. Last year was very good for the country. By the grace of God, Nigerians will see greater results this year.

“We should begin to commission some of the key power projects this year. Going forward, we are expecting greater activities. We are looking forward to greater synergies; we’re looking forward to greater results this year. All is set for greater performance for government in the year 2013.”

Maku also noted that the President acknowledged that a lot of work had been done in key sectors and hence warned against complacency, cautioning ministers not to take anything for granted.

The minister also listed some areas where the government had done well, which include transport. Petroleum products are now conveyed by rail from Lagos to Kano.

Other routes will begin operation this year.

Maku hinted that most of the power projects would be inaugurated.

In Agriculture, the minister said the President demanded for improved strategising.

“These are Mr. President’s instructions and I can assure you that the ministers are ready for work,” he said.

Maku also assured that once the budget is passed anytime this month, the government will have the opportunity of 12 months implementation cycle.

FEC also approved the establishment of three new universities.

The universities are meant for states that do not have federal universities – Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara.

The take-off is immediate. But academic sessions are however scheduled to begin in 2014/2015.

This has brought the number of federal universities established in the last two years to 12. Nine were approved for take off last year.

Justifying the establishment of the universities, the minister of Education said only 10 per cent of applicants get admission into universities – an indication that the number of universities is not sufficient.

“Every year we have been battling with placement in higher institutions in the country, including private, state and federal-owned higher institutions,” the minister said.

The minister also added that about 1.3 million school leavers seek entrance to higher institutions every year, yet not up to 200,000 spaces are available.

Eight out of the nine federal universities approved in 2012 have taken off and even matriculated students, except the one in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, which takes off fully next month after being delayed by floods.

FEC also approved a new tourism brand identity for Nigeria, which was presented to the council by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke.

According to Duke, the policy, which seeks to give priority attention to exploiting Nigeria’s tourism potentials, was favourably received by the President and other cabinet members.

The policy includes evolution of retail destinations with the hospitality sector properly dove-tailing into tourism.

Health tourism will be promoted. Duke also said FEC approved new campaign adverts to showcase Nigeria’s tourism potentials.