By Peter Usman
In a bid to fulfil some of his campaign promises to Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration Is interested in seeing that all roads across the six geo-political zones are constructed and rehabilitated for easy flow of goods and services.
Buhari, who made this assertion in Abuja at a one day public enlightenment on the developments in the road sector, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was committed to major areas that would enhance developments in the sector.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Buhari explained that the present administration had raised capital budget on roads from 13% to 15% to ease the constructions, adding that most of the road projects were targeted at improving infrastructural development.
He disclosed that the federal and state roads were the major concern of the present administration considering the ‘Change” he promised Nigerians during his electioneering campaign..
The President called on the active players in haulage to support government’s policies, ensuring that the roads , as critical infrastructure that take chunk of its budget, are well protected.
President Buhari further assured that all major roads connecting all parts of the country, both ongoing construction and those under construction will receive full attention of the Federal Government.
Also speaking, the Minister of Power , Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola described the event as critical to the achievement of the common goal for shared prosperity.
The Minister stated that the meeting was planned to reflect and agree on the need for change about how to use the road infrastructure to better the lives of the citizens.
He said there are existing treaties and obligations within the West African sub region and beyond that regulate the amount of load any goods vehicle can put on an axle and by extension on the road in order to do business within ECOWAS and beyond.
According to him, “Our Economic growth, National productivity and job opportunities will be impacted by the conclusions and resolutions of this meeting.”
“How do we optimize the opportunities that lie in road networks like Trans-Saharan highway that connects Nigeria to Chad, Niger, Tunisia, Mali and Algeria; the Lagos- Abidjan Highway through Benin, Togo and Ghana, or the Enugu- Cameroon Highway through Abakaliki – Ogoja , Ikom and Mfum” he asked.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/01/02/politics/nigerian-president-apologizes-to-the-nation-plans-to-address-infrastructural-deficits/
