Lagos – President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured Nigerians that the country is on the path of recovery, saying the biting economic situation in the country aggravated by the recent hike in fuel price will soon be over.
The president stated this at the commissioning of projects and security vehicles and equipment to support Nigeria
Police provided by Lagos State Government at Tafawa BalewaSquare, TBS, as part of his one- day official visit to the state asked for the support and understanding of citizens.
Buhari who commissioned the newly built Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, (LASEMA), Rescue Unit at Cappa, Oshodi and Ago Palace Way in Okota was represented by his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at the well attended and colourful event.
He was received by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State,along with the Minister for Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, members of the state executive council.
The president said his government is fully aware of the present economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians and was ready to alleviate the impact within the shortest possible future.
Buhari while harping on Federal Government’s N500 billion social investment plans as part of measure to tackle the myriads of economic problems as well as provide palliative to citizenry, said the investment plan will address the
challenges of unemployment, industries, manufacturing, Agriculture, among others.
According to him, there were plans to create 500,000 employment opportunities for graduates with another 370,000 for non-graduates.
He added that besides there would be provision of micro loan facilities for market women, using associations.
Dwelling on the physical absence of the President, Osinbajo assured that Buhari would personally visit Lagos immediately after the Ramadan, “The President owes Lagosians in high esteem.”
The Vice President continued: “We are aware of difficulties Nigerians are going through but the future is certain, abundance and prosperity are assured. A lot of readjustment will be done. “Our countries have gone through many pains but we are determined to make the correction. We are on the path of recovery.
“To ameliorate the pains, N500 billion social investment is being earmarked in 2016 budget. This is to provide 500,000 direct employment for graduates and 370,000 for non graduates for vocational training, while FG will give micro-credit facilities to market women using various associations across the country.”
Buhari lamented the neglect of Lagos for the past 16 years, assuring that the Federal Government was more than ready to give total support for the state in every way.
The president stressed that Lagos deserves more benefit from the federal being the economic hub of Nigeria, commending the landmark achievements of Ambode in the last one year.
He assured that Federal Government will soon embark on infrastructural assistance in the state with specific focus on rail and road construction which is included in the 30 percent infrastructural development plans, citing the Lagos-Calabar and Kano rail routes and completion of the on-going construction of Lagos- Ibadan Expressway as part of the projects.
Earlier, Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode expressed his administration’s commitment to the protection of life and property, urging security personnel to continue their good work by making Lagos more safer for all and sundry.
Ambode assured that the state government would continue to reward gallant officers in the course of their duties.
While disclosing that N1.5 billion was expended on the provision of the commissioned security vehicles and equipment, he urged residents to continue to see security as everybody’s business.
“I want to use this opportunity to again commend the officers and men of all security agencies in our state for their dedication and commitment which has facilitated a more secure Lagos. I assure you of the continued support of our Government to work with you to raise the bar of safety and security to globally accepted standards.
“My administration is committed to improve security being a sine-qua-non for economic and social development.”
Some of the equipment include: 100 4-door saloon cars; 55 ford ranger pick-ups, 10. Toyota Land Cruiser pick-ups, 15 BMW power bikes,100 power bikes, Isuzu trucks, 3 helicopters, 2 gunboats, 15 Radio Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC, revolving lights, siren and public address system, vehicular and radio communicators. Security gadgets include: Bullet proof vests, helmets, handcuffs, uniforms and kits, improved insurance and death benefit scheme for officers.
