APBN tasks government, OPS on improved economy, infrastructure, others

The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has called on government agencies and the Organized Private Sector (OPS), to intensify efforts towards improving infrastructure and employment generation as part of efforts to resuscitate the economy.
 
Besides, the association hinged the solution to the numerous national challenges on the level of professionalism across sectors, saying it is high time  government made recourse to the association in its dealings with professions and professional associations.
 
According to APBN, Nigeria should not continue to rely on reactive approaches to the serious national challenges, but should focus on strategic and sustainable solutions that have the capacity to lift the country from the brink.Speaking at the seventh board meeting of the APBN, hosted by Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), in Lagos, the President, Idris Omede, decried the spate of flooding and insurgency, stating that government shows lack of proactive institutional preparedness.He said: “We call on the government and the organized private sector to intensify efforts to turn around the economy, improve infrastructure and generate employment and jobs.

“Some states including Kogi, Niger, Adamawa, Anambra and Delta among others in the federation are being ravaged by flood with of many lives, and massive destruction of property, and this is not only very disturbing, but worrisome, and shows lack of proactive institutional preparedness.
 
“Obviously, if the rightful approach for mitigation against such disasters in short, medium and long term are strategically pursued by the government in close collaboration with affected communities and other critical stakeholders, it will not only forestall occurrence, but whenever it happens, the impact will be substantially minimal.
 
“Our system needs to be predictive, proactive and responsive in the face of resistance and challenges to some hard and painful decisions and policies, which in long run are beneficial. We expect that the presidential approval of N3b for flood preparedness, response and disaster mitigation will be applied professionally, accountably and transparently.”

He appealed to stakeholders including government agencies, individuals and humanitarian organizations to be more proactive by forestalling recurrence through creating improved water channels, cleaning drainages, construction of embankments along shorelines and relocation of building to higher plains.
 
The President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uche Olowu, represented by the Second Vice President, CIBN, Ken Opara, commended the leadership of APBN for dedication towards fostering cooperation among professionals.He stressed the need to intensify and leverage on the collective strengths of APBN to resolve issues facing significant segment of its members, one of which is the non-placement of some of its qualified members on the Government Schemes of Service.