by Laila Ibrahim

 

President Goodluck Jonathan says his administration has taken steps to make certain that poor, low and medium income earning Nigerians will not be adversely affected by the continued drop in oil-prices, while also promising to deal with election troublemakers.

He made these declarations in his New Year message broadcast on radio and television networks on Thursday morning.

Jonathan stated that the 2015 budget which is currently before the National Assembly is targeted at deepening efforts at becoming a non-oil economy as well as measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely.

He said: “We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy. We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt.”

Speaking further, the President assured that his administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that ensure economic stability.

“We are introducing a broad spectrum of financial instruments to boost sector-specific enterprise areas in agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing, and oil and gas to enhance our aggregate supply capacity, reduce poverty, promote job creation and increase the general well-being of our people” he said.

The President also vowed to deal with anyone disposed to formenting trouble before, during or after the 2015 elections, adding that his government will not tolerate a repeat of the violence that erupted in some parts of the country after the 2011 elections.

Jonathan said: “After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections.”

He reassured Nigerians and the international community of his administration’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

The President said: “My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering. Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral
process in the country under my watch. We will continue to do so for the coming elections.”

“We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs. This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections. The national security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free.”

Also, he implored politicians to refrain from promoting sectionalism, disunity or hate, while carrying out their campaigns, adding that all politicians should exhibit decorum and civility towards opponents.

“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015,” the President added.