President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the Eastern Rail Line, which connects Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, as well as supporting the development of the Anambra Basin, a key energy reserve.
The President gave this assurance during an interactive session with South East leaders as part of his official visit to Enugu State on Saturday.
President Tinubu highlighted the strategic importance of the Eastern Rail Line to Nigeria’s economic growth, pledging to address the outstanding portions of the project. He noted, “It is a work in progress. I inherited these critical challenges, but I am committed to solving them.”
He also pledged federal support for the Anambra Basin, estimated to hold 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas. “Gas is a viable alternative to petrol. We will invest in this together, as it holds immense potential for our nation’s energy future,” the President stated.
During the meeting, prominent South East leaders presented their concerns. Former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, urged the completion of the rail project, emphasizing its potential to boost non-oil exports and economic growth. Similarly, Chris Ugoh, an Enugu indigene, called for federal investment in the Anambra Basin to support power generation and industrial development.
Onyemauche Nnamani, the National Commissioner representing the South East in the Police Service Commission, advocated for modern security strategies, urging a shift away from roadblocks and checkpoints in favor of advanced technologies like CCTV surveillance.
President Tinubu commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for his innovative development model, describing him as a committed leader transforming the state through 21st-century initiatives. Tinubu inaugurated several projects, including the GTC Smart Green School, the International Conference Center, and the Command-and-Control Center.
At the Command-and-Control Center, Tinubu emphasized the link between security and development, stating, “Investment in security brings rapid development. This is a profound demonstration of what we can achieve together.”
Speaking on Unity and Federal Support, the President reiterated his belief in unity, stressing that progress transcends political affiliations. He praised former Senate President Ken Nnamani for safeguarding democracy and acknowledged the efforts of other governors, including Alex Otti of Abia State.
“We are all members of one huge family called Nigeria, living in different rooms in the same house. We must build this house to meet our immediate and future needs,” Tinubu said.
In his vision, Governor Peter Mbah praised the federal government’s support and shared his vision to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in four years. He outlined bold initiatives, including improving security, expanding education, and upgrading healthcare.
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Mbah commended the Tinubu administration for enabling state-level advancements, noting that reforms like subsidy removal and forex unification have freed resources for impactful projects.
“We no longer observe sit-at-home orders in Enugu. Our people work every day, and we are moving forward,” he declared.
President Tinubu closed the session with a pledge to work with South East leaders to advance the region’s development, ensuring that infrastructure, security, and economic growth remain top priorities.
