I Remain Loyal To President Jonathan – Gov. Babangida Aliyu

Source: pointblanknews.com

Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu has pledged his unalloyed loyalty to President Goodluck Jonathan saying his criticism of the President is aimed at attracting more federal presence to the state.

Speaking at the sod turning ceremony of the 700 Mega-watt Zungeru Hydro-electric Power Project valued at about N163 Billion in Niger state, Aliyu said he is loyal and not at war with the President.

'Those who are thinking that there is war between the Niger state government and governor and the President should swallow their spit.

'We are one, we recognise that the people of Nigeria elected him and we respect that. If we do not respect and follow you (Mr. President), God will ask us. So we are saying, Mr. President that we are for you.', Aliyu declared.

'If you hear a lot of criticism, it is not because we do not love you
(President) but because we want you to do more. Regardless of the noise, I know  PDP shall make it, because we are one and we all are in one party.

'We are with you and I hereby pledge my government and people loyalty and support to you. I am saying this because in our culture and religion if you don't respect your leader, Allah will not be happy with you,' Aliyu assured the President.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan performed the sod turning ceremony of the Zungeru Power plant which is valued at about N163 billion and expected to be completed in 2018. It is being constructed by China-based, CNEEC-Sinohydro Consortium. The funding for the project will be provided by the Federal Government and the Exim Bank of China on the ratio 25:75 percent respectively.

The project which was initiated as far back as 1982, when the feasibility studies were conducted and submitted to government by a United States firm, Chas T. Main International, and later reviewed in 2008 by French firm, Coyne et Bellier.