President Bola Tinubu has promised to put measures in place to mitigate the hardship caused by the ongoing US-Isreal war against Iran in the Middle East.
He has therefore charged the ministers of budget and finance, along with the head of the Federal Service, to look into the matter.
According to a release by Bayo Onanuga, the President gave the directive at a civic reception in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, after commissioning some projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Douye Diri.
The Head of Service, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, an indigene of Bayelsa, attended the event.
Four governors, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom, and Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori of Delta, accompanied the president to the state. The deputy governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, represented Governor Babagana Zulum.
Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce were among the dignitaries at the civic reception.
Tinubu reiterated that his administration was aware of the ongoing economic challenges arising from the Middle East war, but quickly added that his government would work with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Budget, and the Head of Service to propose measures to ease the hardship.
” Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel prices are biting hard. But look around. Let’s thank God that we are better off listening to what is happening in other African countries, what they are going through.”
The President assured his audience that his administration would continue to seek ways to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable.
“This is a government that cares. We will look at the numbers with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning”, he said.
He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) across all levels was committed to improving citizens’ well-being.
“Regardless of their shenanigans, the All Progressive Congress (APC) believes that the people deserve to see governance translated into roads, bridges, power, jobs and real opportunities that affect human beings. That signals the development of our country.
“We are all working hard. The projects that I commissioned today demonstrate and testify to an immutable truth: Development advances further, faster when the federal government and the state government work in partnership and towards a shared purpose,” President Tinubu said.
The President commended Governor Douye Diri for embarking on impactful projects which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.
“Douye, you’ve done a great job. I have commissioned some projects, very transformative projects. The bridge, linking communities and the dual carriageways, create opportunities, jobs, and hope for our nation. Thank you for that commitment, and thank you for being a very progressive governor”, he said.
The President recalled his pioneering efforts towards establishing the Independent Power Plant as governor of Lagos State, stressing that, despite the dire power challenges across the nation, his administration would ensure energy sufficiency for national development.
The President commended Governor Diri for demonstrating the power of very purposeful leadership and assured him that the federal government would continue to partner with subnational governments for the benefit of citizens through job creation and skill empowerment.
At the commencement of the event, the President observed a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen members of the armed forces who lost their lives while defending the nation in the theatres of battle, as well as the former governor of the state, DSP Alamieyeseigha.
Tinubu had earlier inaugurated several projects, including the 60-megawatt gas-fired Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area, the 630-metre Angiama – Oporoma Bridge, and the new Yenagoa City Road (1).
