Full text president buharis speech ministerial retreat 2017 budget

Here is the full text of President Muhammadu Buhari's speech at the Ministerial Retreat on the 2017 Budget:

MINISTERIAL RETREAT ON THE 2017 BUDGET

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

ABUJA, FEBRUARY 22, 2017

Distinguished Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Honourable Ministers of State, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Parastatals and Agencies, Members of the National Assembly, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to welcome you all to this Ministerial Retreat on the 2017 Budget. This retreat is a critical step in the budgeting process, as it provides an opportunity for us to review our budgetary priorities, assess our performance in the previous year, and set the stage for a more effective and efficient implementation of our budget in the coming year.

As we gather here today, I am reminded of the challenges we face as a nation. Our economy is still recovering from the shocks of the past year, and we are working hard to restore growth, create jobs, and improve the living standards of our citizens.

In this regard, the 2017 Budget is a critical instrument in our efforts to achieve these goals. It is a budget that is designed to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and improve the welfare of our citizens. It is a budget that is focused on infrastructure development, agriculture, manufacturing, and other sectors that have the potential to drive our economic growth.

As we review the 2017 Budget, I want to emphasize the importance of fiscal discipline and prudence. We must ensure that our budget is realistic, achievable, and aligned with our national priorities. We must also ensure that our budget is implemented efficiently and effectively, with a focus on value for money and transparency.

In this regard, I want to commend the Minister of Budget and National Planning, the Minister of Finance, and their teams for their hard work in preparing the 2017 Budget. I also want to commend the National Assembly for their efforts in reviewing and approving the budget.

As we move forward, I want to emphasize the importance of collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders. We must work together to ensure that our budget is implemented effectively, and that our economy is driven by a combination of public and private sector initiatives.

In conclusion, I want to reiterate my commitment to the development of our nation. I am confident that with the 2017 Budget, we will be able to achieve our goals and improve the living standards of our citizens. I urge all of you to work together to ensure that our budget is implemented effectively, and that our economy is driven by a combination of public and private sector initiatives.

Thank you.

END

Note: The speech was delivered on February 22, 2017, at the Ministerial Retreat on the 2017 Budget in Abuja, Nigeria.