President Jonathan Unrelenting On North-East's Development, Says Minister

Source: thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, May 18, (THEWILL) â€' President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered that ongoing developmental projects in the North-eastern part of the country must be pursued to logical conclusion despite the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, who disclosed this said the order is to show that the President is more committed than ever to boost the development of the troubled region.

The Minister, who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Engineer Baba Umar Mustapha, stated this at the unveiling of a big transformer to power Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

'The President has given a standing instruction that no developmental programmes for the state should suffer due to the insurgency.

' We are directed to ensure that projects billed for the state should never be stopped on account of insecurity. In reality, many of our project sites are functioning. Adequate security cover is provided by the combined team of civilian and security joint task forces.

'Today's unveiling is another demonstration of President Jonathan's desire to ensure that Borno State is not left behind . In this hours of crisis,we thank Mr. President for standing by us, for pushing ahead with execution of critical infrastructure and for ensuring that the transformer safely reach our state,' the Minister said.

He disclosed that upon full completion, the project will impact positively on the socio- economic development of the people of Borno and the North east in general.

He maintained that all investors who abandoned the state due to the insurgency and the total breakdown of infrastructure will have no choice but to come back and beg to set up businesses that will equally generate employment for the teeming youths.

In his contribution at the ceremony, the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Minister, Alhaji Lawan Gumsiri , expressed gratitude to both President Jonathan and the Minister, Wakil, for the project, which he said is in line with the Transformation Agenda and Vision 20: 2020.

He noted that the approval and delivery of these equipment for the completion of the 30 KVA electricity transmission line into Borno and its neighbouring North Eastern states has confirmed the commitment of the Jonathan Administration to making a difference in the power sector.