A delegation of governors and leaders of the Southeast have pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state-of-emergecy on federal roads across the nooks and corners of the region.
Speaking today, October 17, on behalf of the governors and leaders who visited the president at the presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor David Umahi described the condition of inter-state Federal roads in the region as deplorable.
“Please, kindly declare a State-of-Emergency on those roads and issue appropriate directives.”
The leaders, who decried the challenging security situation in the region, also appealed to President Buhari to approve special funding for the rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.
The Southeast leaders however, expressed gratitude to the President over some infrastructural development in the region and that people in the region are delighted with the speed and quality of work at the second Niger Bridge.
They also commended the President for other ongoing Federal projects in the region, including Enyimba Industrial City, Aba.
President Buhari responded by instantly approving the release of the sum of N10 billion Special Intervention Fund for immediate repairs and upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu.
The President said that he is aware of the central nature of the airport, which was closed for repairs since August 24, to the socio-economic development of the Southeast.
He acknowledged said the infrastructure deficits all over the country, occasioned by lack of judicious use of available resources in the past and declared that his administration is working on remedying the situation.
“We’re trying our best to make sure that infrastructure rehabilitation is carried out very quickly.
“I personally firmly believe that if we get infrastructure correct, the roads , rail, power, most Nigerians will mind their businesses, they would not even care who is in government. But when you deny them infrastructure, it will be difficult for them to compete and move across the country and regions.”
He appealed to the governors to explain this position to their people.
“Please, have the courage to continue explain to your constituencies whenever they feel that there is laxity in government effort to rehabilitate infrastructure.
“We are doing our best within the resources available to the government. The Federal Government is working to fix infrastructure deficit in the country. The challenges are there. It is our responsibility to fix things, we are doing it and we will continue to do our best in this regard.”
