President Muhammadu Buhari believes a majority of Nigerians will be less bothered about governance if the needed infrastructure is in place.
He made the remark on Thursday when he received a delegation of governors and leaders of the South-East on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President noted that when a government struggles to put in place measures that would make life easy for the people, they won’t have an alternative than to speak out.
“We’re trying our best to make sure that infrastructure rehabilitation is carried out very quickly,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by his media adviser, Mr Femi Adesina.
President Buhari added, “I personally firmly believe that if we get infrastructure correct – the roads, rail, power, most Nigerians will mind their businesses.
“They would not even care who is in government. But when you deny them infrastructure, it will be difficult for them to compete and move across the country and regions.”
READ ALSO: Buhari Approves N10bn Intervention Fund For Enugu Airport
During the meeting, President Buhari approved the release of N10 billion Special Intervention Fund for immediate repair and upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State.
He said he was aware of the central nature of the airport to the socio-economic development of the South-East following its closure for repairs since August 24.
The President who noted that he was aware of the infrastructure deficits all over the country declared that his administration was working on remedying the situation.
He appealed to the governors to explain the government’s position to their people, stressing that his administration would not ignore the problems.
“Please, have the courage to continue to explain to your constituencies whenever they feel that there is laxity in government’s effort to rehabilitate infrastructure,” President Buhari pleaded.
He said, “We are doing our best within the resources available to the government. The Federal Government is working to fix the infrastructure deficit in the country.
“The challenges are there. It is our responsibility to fix things, we are doing it and we will continue to do our best in this regard.”
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State commended the President’s effort towards infrastructural development in the region.
He noted the quality of work at the second Niger Bridge and other ongoing Federal projects in the South-East, including the Enyimba Industrial City in Aba.
Governor Umahi, however, described the condition of inter-state Federal roads in the region as deplorable and urged the President to “kindly declare a state-of-emergency” on them with appropriate directives issued.
