President Tinubu Pledges to Complete Eastern Rail Line Linking Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
On Saturday, President Bola Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern rail line, which is a critical infrastructure project. The President made this promise during an interactive session with South-East leaders as part of his official visit to Enugu.
Speaking about the project, Tinubu acknowledged the challenges inherited from previous administrations but affirmed his dedication to resolving them. “It is a work in progress. I inherited some of these critical problems and am committed to solving them,” he said.
The President also emphasized his support for the development of the Anambra Basin, noting its potential to hold up to one billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas, which could significantly contribute to Nigeria’s energy reserves.
Tinubu commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for his developmental efforts and reinforced the Federal Government’s support for the state’s progress. “We will work together to develop gas infrastructure as an alternative to petrol,” he said. “There is no wasting time. We will invest more in it, and I am fortunate to have such good governors working with me.”
He also discussed the importance of ensuring that revenue allocated to local governments and sub-national entities is used effectively for development. “This is a profound demonstration of what we can do together. It reassures me that increasing revenue for sub-national governments is not a waste but for development,” he said.
President Tinubu further emphasized the necessity of bold reforms for Nigeria’s future, including the removal of fuel subsidies. “We must build this house (Nigeria) to meet our current needs and secure a better future for generations to come. That’s why removing the fuel subsidy was necessary,” he said.
Governor Mbah expressed his gratitude for the establishment of the South-East Development Commission and the deregulation of the electricity sector. He also shared his administration’s ambitious goal to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in four years, positioning the state among Nigeria’s top three economies.
He highlighted Enugu’s role as the first state to be granted regulatory oversight of the local electricity market by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), showing the state’s swift action toward development.
During the visit, President Tinubu inaugurated several projects, including the Smart Green School, New Haven/Bisalla Road, the International Conference Centre, the Command-and-Control Centre, and 150 patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance cameras to enhance security.
