President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the importance of investing in infrastructure saying it will promote economic development.
Spokesman for the president, Mr. Femi Adesina in a statement quoted Buhari as telling representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASMEs) at a town hall meeting before the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held in Lagos yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Sururlere, Lagos as saying that the federal government’s investment in infrastructure development had begun to yield good results.
“I am happy that the results of the priority we have placed on this sector are beginning to show. Our commitment is reflected in the resources that we are providing for infrastructure. In 2016 and 2017, capital expenditure was up to N2.7 trillion while over N800 million has been released under the current budget.
“This has been complemented by the inception of the $650 million Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund which will focus initially on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano expressway and the Mambilla hydro power plant.
He also said the Abuja-Kaduna railway is up and running while the Itakpe-Warri line was undergoing a test-run before commercialization phase.
“The completed portion of the Abuja light rail project is facilitating movement to the airport.
“The Lagos-Ibadan railway is nearing completion with people already taking test rides on the completed portions. We are determined to work at the same pace on the Coastal Railway Line and the line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
“We completed the repairs to the runway in Abuja in record time, and just a few weeks ago, I commissioned the Baro Inland Port. All these achievements will help Nigerian businesses to grow,” he added.
The president also said his administration economic policies had begun to make the desired impact.
Economic growth has resumed and is continuing to improve. Growth was higher in 2017 than in 2016, data even from external sources shows that it will be higher in 2018 than in 2017. I am confident that as we stay the course, it will be better still at the end of 2019.
‘‘Inflation is coming down steadily, there is stability in the exchange rate and foreign exchange is readily available for genuine business. Foreign reserves are adequate and growing; capital inflows have increased and the trade balance is positive.
“We are paying off debts that were not even publicly acknowledged before now, including those owed to States, the electricity sector, oil marketers, exporters, backlog of salaries of workers and pensioners, amongst others,” he said.
Going forward, Buhari said the federal government would raise more revenue to boost the economic fundamentals and increase the level and quality of government services in support of the private sector.
“I recently inaugurated a Technical Advisory Committee to identify new sources of revenue in this regard. This is also to ensure that governments at all levels have the resources to pay the new national wage, which we are indeed committed to paying.
“Our economic fundamentals are strong and, in the next four years by the grace of God, we are determined to stay the course in terms of partnerships with the private sector; support to the real sector; helping small businesses, providing infrastructure and an enabling business environment,’’ he said.
He recalled that when he took over in 2015 “our three priorities were to increase the level of security across the country, tackle rampant corruption and improve the economy.
These three factors are interconnected. We focused on developing the rural economy which we hope will result in growth that is inclusive. Boko Haram and the militants in the Niger Delta started their aggressive operations during the years of high oil prices and GDP growth.
“These young and misguided youths did not benefit from the various statistics and indicators of prosperity we were celebrating in the past decade. No wonder they were recruited to cause violence and mayhem in their localities.
“These three priorities, if addressed, will completely transform Nigeria to a diversified, inclusive and competitive economy. But this is not an overnight transition. We are not only transforming systems and processes, but we are also changing hearts and minds.
“We have recaptured and held lost territories. Yes, we still have pockets of insurgency, but our sovereign integrity is intact,” he said.
Addressing the APC supporters later at the campaign ground, Buhari repeated his familiar refrain that his government would send looters to jail if he wins the February 16 presidential poll.
“I assure you that the promises we made in 2015, based on which you elected us, we’ve made tremendous progress and I have mentioned through others what the administration is doing on security, economy and fighting corruption.
“I assure you, whoever is entrusted (with public property) his primary responsibility is to account for it.
“If the proper thing is not done, we will eventually get hold of them; take away what they have stolen and get them imprisoned.
“This is our duty; this is our responsibility and I assure you we will continue to do it,” he said.o
