I Avoided Past Mistakes in Assigning My Ministers - President Buhari

 

Shortly after the the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers yesterday at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari described the event as a milestone and adding that he had been optimistic of bringing high quality persons into his cabinet.

 

Buhari, who took charge of the Ministry of Petroleum as substantive Minister said the choice of ministers and their portfolios was deliberate to appoint square pegs in square holes to avoid the mistake of appointing those who would not perform.

 

"Since we assumed office in May, I had been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of new ministers translate into a round pegs in round holes while showing sensitivity to our diversity as a people and our various positions as groups of stakeholders of our country.

"I have also been conscious of the need not to repeat such mistakes of the past where the right people were allocated the wrong portfolios which translated into their performing poorly to our collective detriment despite their obvious capability," he said.

 

The president said the government would continue to implement its policies decisively and is determined to diversify the economy to make the agriculture and solid mineral sectors major revenue earners.

 

"The primary aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of rice, wheat and to become a major consumer and exporter of those items as well as solid minerals," Mr. Buhari said.

 

He said the administration was poised to sustain economic growth through transparent governance, which had led to a reduction of 'cynicism' about government.