President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that his administration is committed to making the Southeast great again.
The President who was conferred with the traditional title of Udo Kpu Enyị 1 of Abia, by the leadership of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council for what he is doing in the state, the Southeast and the country, stated this yesterday during a state visit to Abia State.
Tinubu spoke at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state during a civic reception organised in his honour by the state government.
The President, represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi restated the commitment of his administration in helping the sub-nationals to be viable.
The President stated that the economy of the country is gaining momentum under his watch with the increase in the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and decrease in inflation rate, affirming that the worst economic situation of the country is over.
He promised to help Abians to take back their state, thanking the Southeast governors for their unity in supporting his administration.
Speaking, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe thanked Mr. President for his numerous interventions in the region, and begged for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
On his part, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu in his speech appealed to the President for the establishment of a seaport in the Southeast to further enhance business and economic activities in the region.
Kalu who commended Gov. Otti for the job he has done in the state, however, asked that the governor should do more.
The Deputy Speaker also frowned at the attitude of many state governors who refuse to give credit to President Tinubu for providing the resources that they are using to execute majority of the projects that they (govs) are carrying out in their states, adding that if the President didn’t make such funds available for the governors, they may be struggling to govern their states.
He listed some of the projects he has done in the Southeast, including ensuring the completion of the ongoing reconstruction of the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, among others, as part of the federal government’s intervention in opening up development and boosting economic activities in the region.
He also frowned at the recent demolition of shops and buildings of some Nigerians and Igbos in Lagos State by the Lagos State government.
He further called for dialogue and regularisation of house or property documents by the state government, rather than the continued demolition of such properties.
In his speech, the host governor, Alex Otti while thanking the President for honouring the invitation to commission some of the state and federal government’s projects in the state commended President Tinubu over the developments that have been recorded under his administration, including some of the economic development agenda (removal of fuel subsidy, and among other harmonization policies) that have positively impacted the economy of the country.
Otti equally thanked the President for giving Abians the opportunity to serve in his government and begged for a functional Southeast and South-south rail line and sea ports to boost trade in the region.
Otti, who thanked the President over his interest in the peace and security of the state, disclosed that he and other Southeast governors were equally in close discussion with the President on the release of the detained leader of IPOB.
Some of the projects commissioned by President Tinubu during the visit include 6.7km Port Harcourt Road (dual carriage road of 3 lanes each with drainage), Ohanku Road, Ndoki Road, Ajiwe Street, Umuatako Road, Chief Nkoro Street and Spurs, Abayi, Aba and Gabriel Nwosu Street respectively.
