Buhari Pledges To Visit South East Soon , Assures Leaders Of New Roads & Rail Projects
Abuja assured stakeholders from the South-
East that the region will benefit more from
roads and coastal rail projects to boost the
nation’s economy.
He told leaders from the region led by Deputy
President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, that
2nd Niger Bridge, East-West road and the
Coastal Rail project were receiving utmost
attention from his administration.
The President said that counterpart funding
from the Chinese government would
substantially fund the projects, which when
completed, would improve the welfare, well-
being and economy of the region.
“I know the Chinese are very competent in
handling such projects and we will ensure that
we get the money for the projects to take off.
I thank you for articulating your demands and
I want to assure that we are doing our best
for the country.
If we can stop people from stealing, then
there will be more resources to put into
projects that will create employment for
Nigerians,” he said.
On allegations of under-representation of
Igbos in his government, Buhari said:
“I gave South-East four substantive ministers
in the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and
Investment, Science and Technology, and
Labour.
Seven states in the North got Ministers of
State and of the two ministries headed by
your sons, I cannot take any decision on
foreign policy and investments without their
input.”
He also promised the leaders, comprising
governors and ministers from the region,
president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo and
representatives from the National Assembly,
that he will visit states in the zone soon.
“I want to assure you that I came into
government with a clear conscience and I will
also leave with a clear conscience,” he said.
Earlier, Nwodo had articulated the demands of
the zone and highlighted issues of state
creation, restructuring, federal projects –
Enugu-Onitsha road, Enugu-Port Harcourt road
and Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road, among others.
Nwodo also demanded urgent presidential
interventions on the Enugu Airport, reticulation
of the gas pipelines in the South-East and the
standard gauge plan for railway construction.
He commended the president for “remarkable
achievements on security and the fight
against corruption.’’
“We are ready to work with you; we are
determined to work with you. We know you
are a decisive leader and we know God will
continue to give you the wisdom to govern
Nigeria,” Nwodo declared.
In his contribution, Governor Dave Umahi of
Ebonyi expressed satisfaction on the outcome
of their discussions with the president on
critical issues affecting the region.
“You have no hatred for any state. You have
treated all states with equality. What one
state gets in the north, the other gets in the
south,” the governor said.
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