By Oscarline Onwuemenyi

The World Bank and the United Kingdom (UK) Department of Foreign and International Development (DFID) have challenged governors of the 36 states of the federation to do away with elitist projects that benefit few and direct their energies towards improving the lives of the ordinary Nigerian.

Speaking in a goodwill message at the First Induction/Symposium by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) for newly elected and re_elected governors of the 36 states of the federation, at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the World Bank Country Representative, World Bank Country Director, Mr. Onno Ruhl, urged the elected leaders to focus their attention on people-oriented projects that will capture the needs of the common man.

Ruhl, who lauded the passage of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) bill into law by the National Assembly, said the establishment of the fund will ensure that resources are available for the development of the needed infrastructure in the country. According to him, “First lesson from the country’s election is that you must capture the aspirations of the people as the mandate allows you to move this country to the next level. Nigeria is now ready to takeoff.

“Since the National Assembly has passed the Sovereign Wealth Fund, it means that you now have enough resources to provide the necessary infrastructure needed for effective development.”

Also in his remark, the Country Director of DFID, Mr. Richard Montgomery said the forum must focus attention on job creation, improving internally generated revenues, help businesses flourish as well as remove barriers that stunt business growth.

He noted that “two issues are critical for leadership to convert to result. First is social and economic inclusion and second is public financial management that is your budget. “We all know that Nigeria is a land of opportunities and also laced with great challenges but you all know the issue of preventable maternal deaths, over 100 million Nigerians are estimated to live below $1.25 a day, over four and half million young people enter the job market every year, so creating jobs for them is a top priority for Nigeria’s growth and sustainability,” he added.

Montgomery said further, “I believe one of the decisive roles of this forum must be to help business flourish, help create jobs, more internal revenue, more developments and we believe this forum has already helped states learn from each other.”

Speaking further on the new direction for the country, he said, “I have to say that as I travel around this country at times I am disheartened by expensive projects that serves few while primary health, primary education, social services which serve many are starved of funds.

“I will like all of you, your excellences to think about primary services that will serve more and more of your voters instead of the prestige projects which catch the eye but serve the few. So managing budget and your spending is an issue which I know this forum will look at.” Montgomery said the NGF “can be the driver to change in this great country, with the leadership of governance, it can accelerate development in Nigeria.”