President Bola Tinubu, during his official visit to Enugu State, inaugurated several key infrastructure projects and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the Eastern Rail Line connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
Speaking at an interactive session with South East leaders, the President also pledged federal support for the development of the Anambra Basin, a significant energy reserve estimated to hold 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.
Among the projects commissioned were the GTC Smart Green School, New Haven/Bisalla Road, the International Conference Center, the Command-and-Control Center, and 150 patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance cameras.
President Tinubu described the initiatives as a testament to effective governance, commending Governor Peter Mbah for his forward-thinking approach.
“This is a profound demonstration of what we can do together. It reassures me that more revenue going to the sub-nationals and local governments is not a waste,” he stated.
The President addressed calls for the timely completion of the Eastern Rail Line, emphasizing its importance to economic growth and regional connectivity. “It is a work in progress. I inherited some of these critical problems and am committed to solving them,” he said.
On the development of the Anambra Basin, Tinubu underscored the potential of gas as an alternative energy source. “There is no wasting of time than to invest more in it. We will do it together,” he affirmed.
During the session, South East leaders highlighted regional priorities. Former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, urged the President to prioritize the rail line’s completion, noting its potential to boost non-oil exports.
Chris Ugoh, an Enugu indigene, appealed for federal investment in the Anambra Basin, citing its capacity to drive industrialization and energy production. National Commissioner Onyemauche Nnamani called for modernized security strategies, recommending technology-driven solutions like Enugu’s CCTV systems over traditional checkpoints.
In his response, Governor Mbah shared his ambitious vision to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within four years, focusing on public safety, education, and healthcare. He credited Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange unification, for enabling the state’s developmental strides.
“We no longer observe sit-at-home in Enugu. Our people go to work every day of the week, and we no longer take orders from non-state actors,” Mbah declared.
President Tinubu lauded Mbah’s leadership and emphasized the need for unity and collaboration across party lines. “We are all members of one huge family called Nigeria, but we live in different rooms in the same house. We must build this house to satisfy our immediate and future needs,” he remarked.
Tinubu also praised other leaders, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, for their contributions to national development. Concluding his visit, the President reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing regional challenges, fostering growth, and promoting stability nationwide.
