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President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri eastern rail line during an interactive session with South-East leaders in Enugu on Saturday. This was disclosed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
“The project is ongoing. I inherited some of these critical issues and remain determined to resolve them,” President Tinubu said.
Tinubu also pledged to support the development of the Anambra Basin, which has the potential to hold up to one billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas, positioning it as a significant energy reserve for Nigeria.
The President lauded Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for his developmental efforts and emphasized the Federal Government’s readiness to back the state’s growth.
“Gas infrastructure support is crucial. Gas is a viable alternative to petrol, and we must invest in it without delay. With dedicated governors like Peter Mbah, we can achieve a lot together,” Tinubu remarked.
He praised the governor’s vision for 21st-century development, stating, “This shows that more revenue allocated to sub-nationals and local governments is not wasted. It’s being used for transformative projects.”
Governor Mbah expressed gratitude to the President for initiatives like establishing the South-East Development Commission and deregulating the electricity sector.
Mbah revealed his ambitious plan to elevate Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in four years, aiming to position the state among Nigeria’s top three with the highest GDP.
“Your Excellency, your commitment to federalism is exemplary, and your legacy will be celebrated for years,” Mbah stated.
He also highlighted Enugu’s achievement as the first state granted regulatory control of its electricity market by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), reflecting the state’s proactive approach to economic growth.
During his 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.