From Uche Usim, Abuja
New Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, assumed office on Monday with a charge to the staff and management of the ministry to work hard to meet set targets as expectations from Nigerians are high.
He said concerted efforts shall be made to reduce the pains and hardship Nigerians are passing through following the recent economic decisions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that have upset the polity.
Edun described his appointment as God-design, assuring that he would build from where his predecessor, Zainab Ahmed left off.
According to him, Tinubu’s actions on the economy require the fiscal wing of the economy to fine-tune them to the benefit of the country.
He said: “God’s time is the only time. I am simply Wale Edun. I thank President Bola Tinubu and Mrs Zainab Ahmed for their works. I will build on what she left behind and take the economy to greater heights.
“We need to deliver and perform. Expectations of Nigerians are high. President Tinubu has taken key macro, monetary and fiscal measures that will change the economy. It is our duty to minimize the pains that will come with the reforms. We have a job to do to ensure that Nigerians are not left behind”, he said.
Edun said he has seen the automation and digitisation taking place in the ministry, assuring that it would be sustained because “we can do it”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties of the ministry, Udo Okokon Ekanem assured the new Minister that staff were ready to work with him committedly and loyally.
“Staff of the ministry are receptive to change and innovation and we pledge to work with you” he said.