As part of his administration’s development strategy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to finishing the Eastern Rail Line, which runs from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
At his official visit to Enugu State on Saturday, the President made this commitment at a dialogue with leaders from the South-East.
President Tinubu also pledged to give the development of the Anambra Basin, a vital energy reserve, first priority in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Bayo Onanuga. With an estimated 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 1 billion barrels of oil, the basin has the potential to greatly support Nigeria’s energy industry.
The president reassured the leaders of his administration’s commitment to promoting economic growth and development in the South-East.
Former Power Minister Professor Chinedu Nebo and Enugu State native Chris Ugoh made demands during the meeting, and President Tinubu listened carefully and promised to address their problems.
Nebo urged “the President to prioritise the completion of the remaining portions of the rail link” while praising the Tinubu administration for finishing the Port Harcourt to Aba segment of the Eastern rail line.
Growth of the Economy
He emphasized how the train link may increase Nigeria’s economic growth and non-oil exports.
Chris Ugoh pointed out that industrial feedstocks and electricity generation might be supported in the Anambra Basin.
In order to benefit the southeast as well as other parts of the nation, such as the Middle Belt and the North, he urged the Nigerian government to exploit the resource.
Contemporary Security Techniques
The Nigerian government was asked to adopt contemporary security measures in the area, similar to the statewide CCTV system and patrol vans equipped with surveillance cameras in Enugu State, by Onyemauche Nnamani, the National Commissioner for the South East in the Police Service Commission.
“It is inefficient and exposes our security personnel to attacks by non-state actors,” Nnamani said, urging the government to lessen the emphasis on the expansion of checkpoints and roadblocks in the area.
“It is a work in progress,” President Tinubu assured the crowd in response to the rail line request. I’m determined to find solutions to some of these pressing issues that I inherited.
“On the gas infrastructure’s assistance.” Yes, gas is a substitute for gasoline. Investing more on it is a better use of time than wasting it. We’ll work together, and I’m fortunate to have capable governors.
The Agenda of Nigeria
President Tinubu praised former Senate President Ken Nnamani for rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from those who sought to destroy it with the Third Term project, while also acknowledging the presence of other dignitaries from the Southeast, such as governors, traditional leaders, captains of industry, and current and former presiding officers of the National Assembly.
After launching a number of state government projects, President Tinubu praised Governor Peter Mbah for his development strategy and ideology.
Encouragement
He promised that Enugu and other states would continue to get assistance from the Nigerian government in their endeavors to grow.
The GTC Smart Green School, New Haven/Bisalla Road, the International Conference Center, the Command-and-Control Center, and 150 patrol cars with security cameras installed are among of the projects the President has officially opened.
Other noteworthy projects from the Enugu State Government House were also virtually commissioned by the president.
“Investing in security will bring rapid development,” the president stated at the Command-and-Control Center’s inauguration.
“This is a powerful example of what we can do when we work together. It gives me peace of mind that additional money flowing to local and subnational governments is not a waste. It’s for growth.
“We have dedicated leaders like Peter Mbah guiding Enugu toward the development of the twenty-first century, elevating the city to new heights, and constructing our future now.”
“The sight of the kids I just met at the Smart Green School will never leave me.
“I have witnessed vehicles and devices equipped with 21st-century technology. You are, in fact, laboring for the present, the future, and tomorrow.
The President said, “My good friend Peter, we can go places together to build Nigeria and build the future.”
“It is bold to have this house equipped with technology, and they are ready to use,” he remarked. I am aware that you work in the private sector, and we need to encourage more private sector individuals to enter politics in order to boost investment.
“Investors will be your friend if you are confident in security and development and provide value for money.”
Accolades
The governor, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, was also praised by President Tinubu for exhibiting an unwavering dedication to human development.
“I don’t care which party you belong to; you are my friend,” stated President Tinubu. Abia State’s Alex Otti is also performing admirably. It has nothing to do with linguistic and geographic distinctions.
“The mother tongue is not within any of our control. God made us, and you might be in Lagos, Onitsha, or Enugu. Although we all reside in separate rooms of the same house, we are all part of the same large family known as Nigeria.
“In order to meet our present and future needs, we must construct this house.”
A real Federalist
Governor Mbah characterized President Tinubu as a true federalist at the interactive session.
He praised the Tinubu administration for liberalizing the electrical industry with the electrical Act (Amendment) and creating the South East Development Commission.
Your credentials as a true federalist are impressive, and your accomplishments will garner you a lot of praise for a long time.
“You liberalized the production, transmission, and distribution of energy by signing the energy Act (Amendment) Bill. That one deed will always be remembered as a lasting legacy.
The fact that Enugu State was the first sub-national to receive regulatory control over the local power market from the NERC is notable. That shows how quickly we are working toward our objectives,” he remarked.
The Governor claims that the South East Development Commission will complement the numerous development advancements taking place around the state by addressing the ecological and infrastructure issues in the area.
The Economy of Enugu
In order to place Enugu State among the top three states in Nigeria in terms of GDP, Governor Mbah reaffirmed his goal of growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in just four years.
He claimed that when residents have access to reasonably priced healthcare, high-quality education flourishes, and security is ensured, his lofty goal can come true.
The governor described the state’s daring efforts to improve public safety, which included lifting the unlawful sit-at-home order that a criminal group and non-state actors had imposed throughout the Southeast.
Not sitting at home
“We no longer observe sit-at-home in Enugu,” he stated. We no longer follow commands from non-state actors, and our employees report to work every day of the week.
In order to provide children with 21st-century capabilities, the governor informed the president that some of the Smart Green Schools that were commissioned during the state visit were a component of the contemporary schools that his administration had established throughout 260 wards.
According to the governor, his administration has prioritized primary healthcare, modernizing all 260 basic healthcare facilities to ensure constant quality, especially in outlying locations.
“Your audacious efforts are mostly responsible for all of these infrastructure advancements.
The abolition of the gasoline subsidy, the unification of the foreign exchange, and the other social interventions that your government still provides for the citizens of this nation are examples of the brave statements you made to free up monies for development.
“Now that those funds have been released, we can basically finish these projects. Additionally, social and digital infrastructure are ongoing, in addition to physical infrastructure, Governor Mbah underlined.