BY MIKE OCHONMA
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has urged the Nigerian government to remain on the path of democratic consolidation. The envoy stated this while delivering a goodwill message at the 3rd ministerial Performance Review Retreat of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in Abuja.
Organised by the UK-funded Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) programme, the retreat is the UK’s flagship governance programme in Nigeria. Through this programme, the UK is working with the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as with civil societies in Nigeria to improve accountability and effective use of public resources.
Speaking on Nigeria’s 2023 general election and the opportunity it presents to entrench democratic principles of inclusion and equality, Laing said, “At a time when some countries in West Africa are experiencing democratic regression and illegal removal of elected governments, I commend His Excellency, President Buhari for his commitment at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly to leave a legacy of free-and-fair elections in Nigeria. Nigeria must remain on the path of democratic consolidation because democracy matters greatly to the world. And democracy matters for the socio-economic development of Nigeria.”
On Nigeria’s economic resilience, she said, “Nigeria’s economy is more resilient than most. But this global context has exacerbated Nigeria’s challenges even though it is a net exporter of oil and gas. Nigeria stands to benefit from taking difficult and brave decisions, which can free up fiscal space for its infrastructure and development priorities, unlock investment that will create better jobs in agriculture and the digital sector, and help realise Nigeria’s energy transition goals.”
Commending the Nigerian government for prioritising the ministerial performance retreat, the high commissioner said, “Performance management systems enable accountability and better delivery of essential services. These are necessary for building trust and social contract between the government and its citizens. I am pleased that the UK government is working with the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, to institutionalise accountability through our Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) programme.”
She reiterated the strong partnership between Nigeria and the UK and the UK’s commitment to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.
The retreat was attended by Vce President Yemi Osinbajo; former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, other government officials, senior leaders and key stakeholders in Nigeria.
