president-elect, Maj. Gen. Muammadu Buhari (rtd.) on May 28.
Accordingly, Jonathan has directed all Ministries, Departments and
Agencies to submit their handover briefs to the office of the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on or before April
20.
The announcement was made after the Federal Executive Council (FEC)
meeting held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa.
The FEC meeting was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Briefing State House correspondents shortly after the FEC meeting,
Information Minister, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki said"you know we are
already in transition so there is very little to report. What we
discussed with the President in council, he emphasized on the need for
all MDAs to submit their handing over notes to the office of the
secretary to the government of the federation by 20th of this month,
that is next Monday.
"So we are going to be very busy this weekend putting our handing over
notes together.
"The president also emphasized that he would require another little
briefing from all MDAs to indicate inherited projects, how far it has
been executed and initiated projects by his administration and the
level of completion, whether completed, ongoing or abandoned. So that
was it at the council meeting.
"We discussed other issues but we are particularly paying attention to
the transition and how to make it effective. As you are all aware we
have transitional committee already set up by president, headed by the
Vice President. Other than that we have an inaugural committee that is
headed by the SGF.
"So everything we are doing we are doing to achieve smooth transition,
getting all our notes together."
According to the minister, by May 28 the president intended having the
formal handing over done at a dinner, while May 29 would be reserved
for the incoming government.
She added that"by May 28 we expects to have concluded one way
governance and we are welcoming incoming government.
"Also you know May 29th is our democracy day so we have activities
lined up all through that week, showcasing all what we have achieved
and all other things we do normally on our democracy day except that
this year is special with the inauguration of our new president that
is coming up on the May 29th."
Asked if council meeting will continue or be on hold, Akwashiki
said"it is for the MDAs to submit their notes to the SGF a who will
handle the total package of the handing over to the incoming
administration. It doesn't mean that the is the exact notes that will
be passed on.
"There is a format to follow and so it becomes easier for all the MDAs
to follow the template. If they do that it will be easier for the
president to compile everything.
"The format is to ensure you submit everything before they pass it to
the incoming government. That is not to say that governance has
stopped, of course we are in government until the day the
president-elect takes oath of office.
"There is no space vacuum there are things happening. And if you have
any pending contract approval it has to be submitted before the 13th
of May. Everything that requires the president's approval should be
submitted before April 13.
"We also do not want the incoming administration to accuse us of
rushing projects which is normal so we are guided by that. And if you
have approvals we are going to have federal executive council every
week, the last one that will be the valedictory one will be on May 20.
"So governance is not stopping, we are still working and in the event
you have approvals it must be concluded before 13."
--ThisDay
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