President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to completing the Eastern Rail Line, which will connect Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
This assurance was given during an interactive session with South East leaders as part of his official visit to Enugu State on Saturday.
Tinubu also promised federal support for developing the Anambra Basin, a major energy reserve estimated to hold 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasized the strategic importance of these initiatives.
The session saw President Tinubu responding to various appeals, including one from former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who urged the government to prioritize the rail project to boost Nigeria’s non-oil exports and economic growth. Chris Ugoh, another prominent figure, highlighted the potential of the Anambra Basin to drive power generation and industrial development, calling for federal intervention.
Onyemauche Nnamani, a National Commissioner with the Police Service Commission, requested modern security strategies in the region, suggesting measures such as state-wide CCTV systems and patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance technology. He also advocated for the reduction of checkpoints and roadblocks, citing inefficiency and risks to security personnel.
President Tinubu assured the leaders of his administration’s dedication to addressing their concerns, stating, “It is a work in progress. I inherited some of these critical issues and am determined to resolve them.”
The President lauded Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu for his innovative development efforts after inaugurating several state projects, including the GTC Smart Green School, the International Conference Center, and a Command-and-Control Center equipped with modern surveillance systems. Tinubu also virtually commissioned additional projects from the Enugu State Government House.
At the Command-and-Control Center inauguration, Tinubu emphasized the link between security and development, praising the state’s investments. “This demonstrates what we can achieve together,” he said. “Leaders like Peter Mbah are setting a 21st-century development standard.”
Commending the governor further, Tinubu said, “My good friend Peter, we can go places together to build Nigeria and secure the future.” He stressed the need for private sector involvement in governance, adding that security and development encourage investment.
Governor Mbah, in turn, described Tinubu as a true federalist, applauding the establishment of the South East Development Commission and the liberalization of Nigeria’s electricity sector. He highlighted his administration’s efforts to enhance public safety, eliminate illegal sit-at-home orders, and expand access to quality education and healthcare.
“With these bold initiatives, we aim to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within four years,” Mbah stated. He credited Tinubu’s policies, such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, for enabling states to fund development projects effectively.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, with Tinubu pledging continuous federal support for state-led development initiatives across the country