The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that agencies under the ministry still have a lot to accomplish while delivering their mandates.
Aregbesola stated this on Friday during the first 2022 performance review meeting of the ministry and its services /board held in Abuja.
Aregbesola, in a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Afonja Ajibola, emphasised that the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Civil Defence, Immigration, Prisons, Fire Service Board needed to provide greater attention to grey areas within their scopes.
The minister said “there are still large grounds to be covered.
“Insecurity is still a challenge in many parts of the country, indeed, virtually in every part. I still personally get complaints from those who have been short-served on passport application.
“Same way I get inundated with calls and complaints when there is a fire incident or natural disaster in which we couldn’t be of much or any assistance.
“Issues relating to untoward activities in our custodial centres suggesting collusion between officials and inmates pop up now and then in the news.”
Aregbesola listed the nine-point priority areas of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); stabilising the macro-economy, increase agricultural productivity and food security, ensure energy sufficiency, improve transportation and other infrastructure, drive industrialisation, improved health, energy sufficiency, education and productivity of Nigeria; to enhance social inclusion by scaling up social investment, fight corruption, improve governance and provide security for all citizens.
He said the ministry and its services/board have been able to stay focused on achieving their mandate towards realising the objectives of the nine aforementioned priority areas of this administration.
Aregbesola stated he had no doubtt that they have made giant strides in all aspects of the ministry and the services.
“These cover reforms in passport administration and border management, expanded the scope of fire and disaster management across the country, expanded the scope and capability in combating crimes and providing security for lives and property and revolutionising correctional services.
“Our administration will wind down on May 29 and another administration will begin. That should be 60 days from now, minus when the cabinet will be formally dissolved. It has been my style to begin a countdown and prepare for my exit”
Earlier in his welcome address, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior, Shuaib Belgore, said without review meetings, identified grey areas and other aspects that require improvements in the service delivery would not have been easily identified.
Punch
