Jonathan to ‘improve power sector’ if re-elected

President Goodkuck Jonathan has promised to revitalise the power sector in order to facilitate industrial growth, if elected.

Speaking in Umuahia, capital of Abia state, at the presidential rally if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday, Jonathan also promised that his administration would create special fund for the empowerment of youths in the country.

The president said the fund would be set up through the ministry of finance for easy access by the youths.

“My administration will help young Nigerians to identify and harness their potentials for greatness,” he said.

“The year 2015 is for young Nigerians; we must help the youths to identify and harness their talents’.”

Jonathan said he would step up efforts towards job creation from 1.2 million in 2014 to two million jobs annually, adding that he would encourage Nigerian women to get both national and international appointments.

He described Nigerian women as exceptionally brilliant, as they have contributed immensely to national development.

Jonathan cited Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, as one of the brains behind the transformation of the economy.

“We will do more for the young people and women because they are creative and enterprising as demonstrated in the music and movie industries,” he said.

He urged the people of the state to vote massively, saying: “My wife is your daughter and I am your son.’’

Also speaking, Dame Patience, the first lady, assured women that no other president would protect their interests better than her husband.

She said Jonathan’s administration had effectively controlled infant and maternal mortality rate in the country, in addition to meeting the 35 per cent affirmative action for women.

She urged them to remain resolute in their belief in him by voting massively for him.

Theodore Orji, governor of the state, listed reconstruction of Abia end of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and re-opening of NNPC depot at Osisioma, as some of federal government’s projects in the state.

He also mentioned federal government’s intervention in the erosion menace ravaging some parts of the state.

He commended Jonathan for his intervention in wiping out kidnapping in the state and assured him that the state would vote massively for him.

Okonjo-Iweala said Jonathan’s administration had done a lot to transform the economy, including creation of more than 1.2 million jobs in 2014.

Adamu Mu’azu, national chairman of the party, urged Abia PDP to work with former Governor Orji Kalu to be part of the development of the state.

“Kalu is working with us in Abuja and he had shown great commitment towards the realisation of the re-election of the president,” he said.