Buhari personally re-negotiated Lagos-Calabar rail – Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari personally re-negotiated the funding of the Lagos-Calabar rail.

Mr. Osinbajo made this known while addressing community leaders in a town hall meeting held in Cross River state as part of the Niger Delta interactive engagements.

The Acting President who assured community leaders in the state that the Nigerian government is working towards improving their welfare, disclosed that Mr. Buhari himself re-negotiated the loan for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar rail.

He also explained that major roads in the state have been earmarked for rehabilitation.

“The Federal Government is certainly interested in Cross Rivers; the President himself re-negotiated the China-Exim loan for the Lagos-Calabar rail,” he said.

“In our budget this year, we have provided for the Udokpani/Ikot-Ekpene road and I also know that the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affiars, Usani Ughuru has been negotiating for the Calabar/Ogoja road.

“There are other environmental projects that this government is working on, am sure you must have heard of the work we are doing in Adiabo-Okurikang Erosion Control, Eastern Naval Command Erosion Control Project Phase 1 and New Map Erosion Control Project at Ikot Nkebre mass slide Erosion site.”

Commenting further, Mr. Osinbajo explained that the surrendering of the Bakkasi peninsula to Cameroon as a result of the judgement of the ICJ was a loss to the nation.

He, however, assured the community leaders that the government would not allow Nigerian citizens in the area suffer, adding that the displaced in Bakassi would be taken care of.
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“The President strongly believes that while we ruminate over the legal issues we must not allow Nigerian citizens in Ikang and elsewhere to suffer,” he said.

“The Federal Government will certainly do more and engage more with the displaced in Bakassi. This is our duty and our commitment.

“We will also thoroughly investigate the issues you have raised on the relationship between the military, the militants and the people of Bakassi.”

Mr. Osinbajo commended the state government on its efforts at addressing the peoples’ welfare, adding that the government was excited about projects like the solar powered Industrial park, pharmaceutical manufacturing factory, Garment factory and others.

“We will support the Super-highway and deep sea port. A lot of progress has been made on the EIA issue, and I believe that will be resolved very soon,” Mr. Osinbajo said.

“The vision of our President for our Nation is one where the Federal Government partners with the States to create industrial, commercial and professional opportunities for all our citizens.

“The business of government is to ensure that we facilitate trade, facilitate commerce, facilitate the professions and that is exactly what we are going to do and what we are doing in the next few months and in the next few years to ensure that we are able to provide all of the opportunities that are necessary,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Acting President congratulated people of the state on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, adding that the state and its people are important to the Nigerian project.

“You are no ordinary people and it is impossible to ignore you,” he said.

“I want to congratulate you all for the great strides that you are making as a people and as a State and also to wish you a very happy 50th anniversary.”