administration will sustain the delivery of quality infrastructure across
the country for investments and businesses to thrive.
Receiving representatives of Trade Associations from the 36 states and the
FCT led by the National Coordinator, Prince Paul Ikonne, President Buhari
pledged that he will continue to do his best to ensure that the country is
safe and secure for everybody.
The President welcomed the group’s appreciation of government’s efforts in
providing and improving critical infrastructure, especially roads and
railways, to ensure ease in movement of goods and services.
‘‘These efforts are part of our campaign slogans on security, the economy
and the fight against corruption; and on security, it is common-sense that
unless the country is secured it cannot be governed.
‘‘The best people to comment on the achievements of this administration in
terms of security are people who come from the North East where they used
to share their local governments with Boko Haram, get ambushed and
dispossessed.
‘‘Today, we are all witnesses to the commendable efforts of government on
security,’’ the President said.
President Buhari also took note of some major observations by the traders
including illegal seizure of good by agents of governments, harmonisation
of taxes and charges, and the need for timely completion of rail networks
connecting ‘‘South to North, North to the East and East to the West.’’
In his remarks, Ikonne praised the Buhari administration for instituting
policies that are friendly and encouraging to traders, artisans and
farmers.
The National Coordinator declared the Association’s support for the fight
against corruption, saying ‘‘Mr, President, we must applaud your courage
to fight corruption which is restoring Nigeria’s reputation within and
outside the country. This, indeed, is an outstanding achievement and we
are proud of you.’’