FG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS INFRASTRUCTURAL CHALLENGES IN SOUTH EAST
President Muhammadu Buhari says he will deliver on his promise to address infrastructural challenges confronting the people of South East Zone as some key projects to be executed in the area have been captured in the 2018 Budget.
President Buhari stated this while addressing some selected elders of Ebonyi State at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House Abakaliki.
Mr President who was in the state on a one day working visit was later received by a mammoth crowd at Pa Ngele Abakaliki Township Stadium.
On arrival in Abakaliki, President Buhari inaugurated Akanu Ibiam Flyover, Fourteen point five kilometre Abakaliki-Afikpo Federal Highway and Presco Flyover named after the first Republican Senator in the State, Late Senator Offia Nwali.
Mr President also performed the foundation laying ceremony of Buhari Rice City Tunnel and an overhead bridge to be sited at Akanu Ibiam Junction as well as a shopping mall.
President Buhari expressed delight over his visit pointing out that it was a demonstration of his firm belief in the unity of the country which was unique considering its ethnic diversity.
He stressed that Nigeria should continue to be united stressing that the concern by the people of the South East over poor infrastructure would be addressed.
Governor David Umahi explained that President Buhari had assisted the state immensely in the development of its economy and presented him with some gift items including a White Horse as a symbol of unity and his acceptance by the people of South East.
Presenting a speech on behalf of the Elders of the State, the Senator representing Ebonyi North, Dr Sam Egwu appealed to Mr President to consider converting College of Education Ikwo to a Federal College of Education and the construction of a bridge linking Ebonyi and Cross River States at Ndibe Beach Afikpo.
Some dignitaries who were in the state to receive President Buhari include the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu while a Chieftaincy title, ”Ezienyioma One of Ebonyi” was conferred on Mr President by the Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council in the state, Eze Charles Nkpuma
Meanwhile, jubilation engulfed the atmosphere as the President arrived in Enugu on his way to Ebonyi State.
The President who arrived at Akanu International Airport, Enugu at exactly twenty-five minutes past ten o’clock in the morning with his team greeted a mammoth crowd that thronged the venue to welcome the number one citizen of the country.
The President is expected in Anambra State today.
AMECHI ODO