President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the $3 billion Eastern Rail Line, connecting Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta to Maiduguri in Northeast Nigeria.
Speaking during an interactive session with South-East leaders in Enugu on Saturday, the President assured the audience of his determination to address the delays plaguing the project.
The rail line, initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, spans 1,443 kilometers and is being reconstructed and expanded to 2,044 kilometers with additional branches to Owerri and Damaturu.
Tinubu acknowledged its potential to boost transportation infrastructure and stimulate economic activities along the corridor.
During the session, Tinubu also pledged to support the development of the Anambra Basin, which is estimated to hold 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas, positioning it as a significant energy reserve for the region.
Former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, and Enugu indigene Chris Ugoh appealed to the President for support, highlighting the rail line’s economic importance and the Anambra Basin’s potential for power generation and industrial feedstock.
Tinubu responded with a commitment to prioritize their requests.
The President also addressed security concerns in the Southeast, endorsing modern solutions such as CCTV systems and AI-enabled patrol vehicles to ensure safety while discouraging reliance on roadblocks and checkpoints.
Earlier, Tinubu inaugurated several projects executed by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, including the GTC Smart Green School, the International Conference Center, and the Command-and-Control Center.
He commended the governor for his innovative development philosophy and commitment to human capital growth.
Governor Mbah, in his remarks, praised Tinubu for liberalizing the electricity sector through the amended Electricity Act and for establishing the South East Development Commission.
He outlined his vision to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within four years, leveraging improved security, modern education, and upgraded healthcare.
Mbah also highlighted the state’s achievements, including ending the illegal sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors and enhancing public safety, enabling citizens to return to work daily.
President Tinubu lauded Mbah’s leadership and called for unity across regions, emphasising the need to build a Nigeria where every community thrives, irrespective of language or location.
“We are all members of one huge family called Nigeria, living in different rooms of the same house. Together, we must build a house that satisfies both our immediate and future needs,” Tinubu said.
