The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John
Odigie-Oyegun has disclosed that the execution of national railway
projects contained in the recently assented N6.06 trillion 2016 National
Budget is one of the priorities for the President Muhammadu Buhari
administration.
While recalling that 30 per cent of 2016 budgetary provision has been
committed to capital projects, the APC National Chairman identified the
railway projects as one of the critical infrastructural focuses of the
administration.
Odigie-Oyegun made the disclosure in Abuja at a dinner held in his honour
by Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja
Branch) on Saturday night. The APC National Chairman graduated from the
school in 1957.
“As at today, the economy is in the process of being reflated; meaning
that money is being put into the system. Contractors are being mobilised
to go back to work. New contracts will be awarded. The railway will be one
of the very first priorities. We will for the first time go from Kano to
Lagos through Benin City all the way to Calabar by rail.” Odigie-Oyegun
stated after receiving an achievement award from the Abuja Branch
President of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association,
Ogbuefi Tony Anyameluhor.
The APC National Chairman said that the administration was in the process
of building a new solid foundation and credible image for the country. He
appealed for patience and the cooperation from Nigerians as the
administration works to pull the country out of the present hardships.
“We are not shutting our eyes to the pains of the Nigerian people because
it is real. It is genuine. We can only plead for patience. Thank God the
APC government has its very first national budget and the implementation
of that budget will be passionately pursued.” Odigie-Oyegun said.
He said in the coming months, the safety net created by the administration
to cater for the poorest and vulnerable Nigerians and other economic
initiatives aimed at diversifying and boosting the economy will be
implemented. “The result at the end of the day is going to be a more
vibrant nation which every Nigerian will be proud of.” He said.
The APC National Chairman thanked Saint Patrick’s College, Asaba Old Boys
Association for what he described as “wonderful display of love and
affection” extended to him. He pledged to support initiatives aimed at
developing the school.
Earlier, the President of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys
Association (Abuja Branch), Ogbuefi Tony Anyameluhor hailed the APC
National Chairman for his focused leadership that led the APC’s victories
in the 2015 General Elections. He also urged Nigerians to the patient as
the administration works to rebuild the country.
Anyameluhor: “Many Nigerians will appreciate what God has done by
bringing in a party with zero tolerance for corruption, a party that
upholds the principle of one person one vote grounded in free and fair
elections at all levels.
“Less than one year of this administration, looted funds are being
repatriated and they are going to be judiciously used for the benefit of
all Nigerians. No doubt, the APC administration is faced with many
challenges which it inherited. What is required from Nigerians is patience
as it is easier to destroy than to rebuild.”
Also, the National President of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Old Boys
Association, Col. Paul Ogbebor while delivering the dinner lecture
identified technology as a key driver to achieving economic transformation
in the country. Ogbebor urged the President Muhammadu Buhari
administration to establish a national construction bank, in line with the
infrastructure drive of the administration. He said the bank will amongst
others, check corruption in government payment processes for awarded
contracts.
Dignitaries at the dinner included the APC Woman Leader, Hajiya Ramatu
Tijjani Aliyu; APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso;
Chairman Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino
Melaye; Senator Domingo Obende; Chief of Staff to the APC National
Chairman, Edwin Ikhinmwin, the Ojisi of Ogwashi Ukwu and Patron of Saint
Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch), Chief
A.O Okafor and members of the Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old
Boys Association.