‘APC empathises with suffering Nigerians’

 

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said the party is not unaware of the suffering of Nigerians, saying the pains were genuine. But he appealed for patience from the people.

Speaking at a dinner in his honour by Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch), Oyegun assured Nigerians that the programmes of the Buhari administration to cater for the poorest and vulnerable and other economic initiatives aimed at diversifying the economy would be implemented in their interest.

The APC chairman said: “We are not shutting our eyes to the pains of the Nigerian people because they are real. They are genuine. We can only plead for patience. Thank God, the APC government has its first national budget and the implementation of that budget will be passionately pursued.

“In the coming months, the safety net created by the administration to cater for the poorest and vulnerable Nigerians and other economic initiatives aimed at diversifying and boosting the economy will be implemented. The result at the end of the day is going to be a more vibrant nation which every Nigerian will be proud of”.

Oyegun said the APC government would execute the railway projects contained in the assented N6.06 trillion budget which, he said, is one of the priorities of President Buhari.

While recalling that 30 per cent of the provisions was committed to capital projects, the APC national chairman identified the railway projects as a critical infrastructural focus of the administration.

He said: “As at today, the economy is in the process of being reflated; meaning that money is being put into the system. Contractors are being mobilised to work. New contracts will be awarded. The railway will be first priorities. We will go from Kano to Lagos through Benin City all the way to Calabar by rail.”

He said the administration was building a foundation and credible image for the country and appealed for patience and cooperation from Nigerians.

President of SPC Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch) Ogbuefi Tony Anyameluhor hailed what the focused leadership of the APC national chairman, which led the party’s victory in 2015.

He urged Nigerians to be patient as the administration rebuilds the country, saying “Many Nigerians will appreciate what God has done by bringing in a party with zero tolerance for corruption, a party that upholds the principle of one person one vote, and grounded in free and fair elections.

“Less than one year of this administration, looted funds are being repatriated and they are going to be used for Nigerians. No doubt, the APC administration is faced with challenges which it inherited. What is required from Nigerians is patience as it is easier to destroy than to rebuild.”

Delivering the dinner lecture, National President of SPC Old Boys Association Col. Paul Ogbebor identified technology as a key driver to achieving economic transformation in the country.

Ogbebor urged President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a national construction bank, in line with the infrastructure drive of the administration, adding that the bank would check corruption in the payment for contracts.

Dignitaries at the dinner included APC Woman leader Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; National Organising Secretary Osita Izunaso; Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Dino Melaye; Senator Domingo Obende; Chief of Staff to APC National Chairman, Edwin Ikhinmwin, the Ojisi of Ogwashi Ukwu and Patron SPC Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch), Chief A.O Okafor.