Tinubu: We’ll complete PH-Maiduguri rail line, develop Anambra basin

President Bola Tinubu has pledged his administration’s commitment to complete the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern rail line.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu spoke on Saturday at an interactive session with south-east leaders during his official visit to Enugu.

Tinubu said his administration inherited some problems he is proffering lasting solutions to.

“It is a work in progress. I inherited some of these critical problems and am committed to solving them,” the statement reads.

The president expressed commitment to supporting the development of the Anambra basin.

He noted that the basin can hold up to one billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas as an energy reserve for the country.

Tinubu commended Peter Mbah, the governor of the state, for his development strides and reiterated the federal government’s resolve to support Enugu.

“On the support of the gas infrastructure. Sure, gas is an alternative to petrol. There is no wasting of time than to invest more in it. We will do it together, and I am lucky I have good governors,” Tinubu said.

“This is a profound demonstration of what we can do together. It reassures me that more revenue going to the sub-nationals and local government is not a waste. It is for development.

“We have committed leaders like Peter Mbah taking Enugu on the path of 21st-century development, taking Enugu to greater heights, and building our tomorrow today.”

The Enugu governor thanked the president for establishing the South-east Development Commission and deregulating the electricity sector.

He noted that his administration aims to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within four years, to position the state among Nigeria’s top three with the highest gross domestic product (GDP).

“Your excellency, your credentials as a true federalist stand out brightly, and the legacies thereof will long earn you resounding accolades,” Mba said.

“It is noteworthy that Enugu state was the first sub-national to which the NERC ceded regulatory oversight of the local electricity market. That reflects how swiftly we are pursuing our goals.”

Some of the projects inaugurated by the president include the smart green school, the New Haven/Bisalla road, the International Conference Centre, the Command and Control Centre, and 150 patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance cameras.