President Goodluck Jonathan said on Tuesday in Abuja that he
would do the “real ground-breaking” ceremony for the second Niger Bridge in Anambra
on March 10.
The president said
this on Tuesday when he received a delegation of Anambra people led by Obi of
Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and Gov. Peter Obi.
The delegation, which
also included the governor-elect of the state, Willie Obiano, was on a
thank-you and solidarity visit to the president .
Jonathan said that
the launch of the construction work on the bridge was in keeping with his
promise to the people of Anambra,
He explained that he
could have launched the project long ago with fanfare but government must show
commitment to its execution.
He said that with
proper planning and funding now put in place, he was ready to start the project
in earnest.
“The Minister of Works has briefed me that they have done a
lot of mobilisation; we are coming to do real ground breaking ceremony of the
second Niger Bridge and other projects,” he said.
It will be recalled
that the president had, during a recent visit to the state, pledged to launch
the construction of the bridge before Obi leaves office on March 17.
He commended Obi for
maintaining a cordial relationship with the Federal Government.
He also used the
opportunity to admonish other elected officials and politicians to focus on
developing their states rather than make a past-time of attacking and abusing
the president.
“A number of politicians feel that the best thing to do is
to be abusing Mr. President, abusing the Federal Government and so on.
“You are elected to develop your state and I think the best
thing is to have good relationship with the centre; whether you have a pin or
you do not have but one day it will come.
“Wearing boxing gloves, jumping into the boxing ring to face
Mr. President does not help the development of any state.”
The president specifically commended Obi for his people-oriented
programmes and for managing an opposition-controlled state assembly without a
crisis.
He pledged to give
his successor, Willie Obiano, equal support to help him succeed.
The president also
promised to retain Obi in the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team
even after he leaves office as state governor.
Earlier, Obi had said
that it would be difficult for a state governor to make meaningful impact
without the support of the Federal Government.
He specifically
thanked the president for the support given to his state.
“I have been governor under three presidents and I know the
difference.
“Anambra state is your home and we are committed to
supporting you and your government,” he said.
Peter Obi leaves office on March 13th 2014.
Tags
Politics
Thank you mr president,you re a president without sentiment
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. President. How I wish others b4 u were as rational as this
ReplyDelete