LAGOS – An energy expert, Mr Deji Haastrup, has advised the three-tiers of government to increase their budgetary allocations to health and education sectors for speedy development of the country
Haastrup, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs in Chevron Nigeria, made the call in a lecture entitled “The Role of Health and Education in Building Nations,” organised by the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce in Lagos on Thursday.
He said no nation that desired speedy development of its infrastructure and human capacity would neglect the two key sectors such as education and health.
He said for Nigeria to reduce the glaring poverty among the people, all tiers of government should increase their budgetary allocations to these sectors.
“I strongly believe that nation building involves full integration of education and health care strategies to eradicate poverty level in the country.
“Without education and quality health care system, whatever you achieve is not sustainable.
“There are some states in Nigeria that despite the fact that the World Health Organisation
says that the minimum that government should allocate to health from their budget is fifteen per cent.
“We still have some states allocating between two and three per cent of their budget to health.
“Government’s attention should be skewed towards quality education and good health care to take the country to the next level.
“Health care and education sectors in Nigeria have deteriorated to the extent that people go to overseas to access these services.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“But government can reverse this trend by developing the sectors,” he said.
He disclosed that Chevron Nigeria had spent N2.65 billion on scholarship awarded to 54,375 Nigerian students as part of its bid to assist in building the nation’s education sector.
Haastrup said that the company had also initiated several projects in the health sector across the country to improve the lives of people both in its host communities and beyond. (NAN)
you may also like: