President Muhammadu Buhari has said that no Nigerian government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like his administration.
The president disclosed this in his address to the nation on Thursday, reeling out all the programmes put in place by his government.
“Both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
Buhari said his “Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society.
“These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,
b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,
c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and
d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.
“These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.
“No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done,” he said.
New salary structure coming for police, paramilitary services
“With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force,” President Buhari said.
He added that “The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.
“In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.”
