FG is ready to partner private sector on national development - Sambo

Vice President Namadi Sambo has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to partner with stakeholders in the private sector in developing the nation.

He said this at the Annual Convention and Exhibition of the Institute of Directors (IoD) on Thursday in Lagos.

The theme of the Convention was ``Optimising Performance in Growing Economy".

Sambo, who was represented by Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni, said that the nation, at this period of growth, required stakeholders in the private sector to contribute to the development index.

He urged the stakeholders to ensure that such growth and development were sustained for the coming generations.


The vice president challenged the private sector to provide assessments of economic growth to the Federal Government periodically.

The Federal Government of Nigeria will be happy to receive a periodic assessment of economic growth from a private sector's perspective from an organisation like the IoD Nigeria.

We will, therefore, expect a form of collaboration between IoD Nigeria and other bodies like the National Economic Summit Group, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) and a host of others.

We, at the Presidency believe that the collaboration and collective wisdom of these various bodies as one voice would chart a positive course in our nation's building process,’’ Sambo said.


He said that the current administration was driven by sincerity of purpose, adding that it was an open government that welcomed suggestions from stakeholders.


Therefore, it will be the pleasure of Mr President and indeed the Presidency to see IoD Nigeria as an extension of government agency poised to generate ideas required for the growth, ‘’the vice president said.


Sambo said that the country had its challenges as a growing nation in the area of security.

He also said that the decline in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was worrisome.


Sambo recalled that the nation's GDP dropped from eight per cent in 2010 to 7.4 per cent in 2011 and 7.1 per cent in 2012.

He, however, said that the nation could do better as the year progresses to meet its desire to become one of the most industrialised nations by 2025.

NAN