President Goodluck Jonathan has again given himself a pass mark, saying his administration “is making progress in all the sectors of the economy.”
Jonathan also declared that his administration was committed to attaining the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.
The President said as part of efforts to actualise all the health-related targets of the MDGs, the government had reduced the nation’s maternal mortality rate by 30 per cent in the last four years.
The President spoke at the inaugurating of a 40-bed Comprehensive Cottage Hospital in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, on Friday.
He said the nation’s current maternal mortality rate stood at 350 as against 500 deaths per 100,000 women recorded in 2008.
He said the administration would keep working to realise the MDG target of 250 per 100,000 women by 2015.
He said, “Let me use this unique opportunity to tell Nigerians that as a government, we are working extremely hard to meet up our Millennium Development Goals.
“Nigeria, a great country, is faced with a number of developmental challenges, which we have tried to confront since inception of this administration two years ago.
“We embarked on reforms of several sectors of our national economy with a single-minded commitment and determination.
“I am glad to declare that we are making significant progress in all sectors, as it is evident for all to see. The health sector as you are all aware is a cardinal priority of our transformation agenda.
“Attainment of the universal health coverage as well as the provision of comprehensive health care for all our citizens is a goal we have set for ourselves.”
He said the construction of the cottage hospital was initiated by the state government in 2006 but was later taken over by the MDG office.
He explained that the hospital was completed by the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government.