Yemisi Izuora
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, has said over 60 reforms programs and 12 games changers were implemented within the last four years to diversify the revenue base of the economy.
Aganga stated this while speaking at a send- forth dinner in his honour organized by the Chief Executive of Parastatals under the ministry in Abuja.
The minister said if the country is to continue on the path of industrialization, then there is need for the incoming administration to sustain the reforms.
He said a discontinuance of the reforms program would do the country no good as it would send a signal that the nation is still not ready for diversification of the economy.
He said other countries that relied solely on oil have been able to diversify their economy by aggressively implementing key reforms for at least eight to nine years.
He said, “We have implemented more than 12 game changers and more than 60 reforms to enable us diversify the economy and the revenue resources of the government so that we will no longer rely on oil alone.
“So if there is only one wish, I would hope and pray that we continue strictly with the implementation of the industrial revolution plan. That is the only thing that will diversify the revenue sources of this country.
“Countries that rely only on one product that have successfully diversified have stayed on the same program for eight to nine years. We need to keep to the same program.
.
“So if it’s only one thing I need to plead, let’s stay on this part for the next eight or nine years. We have set the pace with the reforms, all that is needed is continued implementation and stick to it for the next eight to nine years.”
Heads of parastatals who also spoke at the dinner said the minister had been able to transform the ministry to enviable heights.
For instance, the Director General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs Dupe Atoki said, “He has encouraged us to move the bar of CPC forward towards protecting consumers and that is the traits of a good leader that will make you move forward to attain the height that you need to achieve.”
In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador, Abdulkadir Musa stated that the Minister had initiated what could be described as “Zero oil Policies”, adding that with the implementation of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), will put Nigeria at a level where oil will become secondary.
“Aganga is a deliberate choice by the federal government to place square pegs in square holes and this has paid off very well”.