Buhari meets S’East Govs, leaders in Aso Rock, promises dividends of democracy
Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday held a closed-door meeting with governors and leaders of South East geopolitical zone of the country.
Buhari, who assured the leaders of his administration’s determination to bring dividends of democracy to the region, responded to alleged under-representation of the South-East in his government saying “I came into government with a clear conscience and I will also leave with a clear conscience”.
Speaking while receiving leaders from the region led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, he said, “I gave South-East four substantive ministers in the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, Science and Technology and Labour.
“Seven states in the North got Ministers of State and of the two Ministries headed by your sons, I cannot take any decision on foreign policy and investments without their input.”
He also promised the leaders, comprising governors and ministers from the region, the President of Ohaneze, Chief Nnia Nwodo and representatives from the National Assembly, that he would soon visit states in the zone.”
The President further assured that the SouthEast will benefit more from roads and coastal rail projects, which are of critical importance to the economy. Buhari maintained that the Second Niger Bridge, the East-West Road and the Coastal rail project, are receiving utmost attention from his administration.
He disclosed that the counterpart funding from the Chinese government would substantially fund these projects, which when completed will improve the welfare, wellbeing and economy of the people in the region.
“I know the Chinese are very competent in handling such projects and we will ensure that we get the money for the projects to take off.
“I thank you for articulating your demands and I want to assure that we are doing our best for the country. If we can stop people from stealing, then there will be more resources to put into projects that will create employment for Nigerians,’’ he said.
Earlier speaking, the President of Ohaneze, while articulating the demands of the zone to the President highlighted the issue of state creation, restructuring, federal projects in the South East namely Enugu-Onitsha road, Enugu-Port Harcourt road and Aba-IkotEkpene road, among others..
