Governor Sani Bello Advocates Structural Adjustment To Boost Economy

BY ILIYASU GARBA, MINNA – Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has opined that for the country’s economy to get boosted as well as even development to be achieved, there is the need for structural adjustment in governance. 

Sani Bello, who made the suggestion at a 3-day Executive Leadership Retreat on Administrative Relationship, Strategic Communication and Management of Public of Finance for Economic Development, organized for the newly sworn-in commissioners and other top government functionaries in the State at the 5th Chukker Polo Country Club, Kaduna, stressed that the future is looking very bleak financially, adding that things are likely to get tougher hence the need for structural adjustment and  financial prudence.

He noted that the retreat is timely and informative and therefore urged participants to ensure they block all leakages in the system so as to improve the finances of the state.  

The governor said the state must work towards moving away from over reliance on the Federation monthly allocation and device other means of generating finance so as to strengthen the state economy. 

Sani Bello said; “We need to block leakages and we must do some structural adjustments to survive the challenges of the future and the only solution is to move away from dependence on Federal allocations and to raise our internally generated revenue so that federal allocation becomes just an augmentation. “Our main revenue should come from what we generate internally and what we get as FAAC should be an augmentation.”

The governor charged the participants on financial prudence and to avoid memos that are not relevant and by all means should complete ongoing projects before embarking on new ones that must affect the lives of the people. 

He called on the commissioners as well as other public office holders to ensure proper execution of government policies and projects just as he urged them to imbibe ethical practices as well as maintain honesty and sincerity.

Sani Bello said that permanent secretaries and directors in the state will undergo similar retreat as they play a critical role in policy formulation and implementation.

In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Balarebe Ibrahim, commended the governor for the initiative which he noted has given the participants the opportunity to brainstorm with a view to face the challenges of service delivery to the people.

Some of the commissioners that made remarks at the event included, Alhaji Mamman Musa, Ramatu Yar’Adua, Rifkatu Chidawa, Haruna Dukku, who appreciated the governor for approving the retreat and assured that they have learnt a lot which would help them in the discharge of their duties.

Similarly, the Chairman and Chief Consultant of MBS AMINATO Investment Limited commended the governor for the opportunity accorded it to carry out the exercise and assured that he will continue to do his best when called upon to carry out any assignment for the state.