President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday asked the Ministers of Budget and Finance along with the Head of the Federal Civil Service to look into how the administration can mitigate the biting effects on Nigerians of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
President Tinubu gave the directive to them at a civic reception for him in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Friday.
This was after commissioning some projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Douye Diri.
The Head of Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, an indigene of Bayelsa State, attended the event.
Four governors: Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom State, and Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori of Delta State, accompanied the President to the state.
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, represented Governor Babagana Zulum.
Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce were among the dignitaries at the civic reception.
President Tinubu reiterated that his administration is aware of the ongoing economic challenges arising from the Middle East war, but quickly added that his government will work with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget, and Head of Service to propose measures to ease the hardship.
He said: “Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy.
“The fuel prices are biting hard.
“But look around.
“Let’s thank God that we are better off listening to what is happening in other African countries, and what they are going through.”
The President assured his audience that his administration will continue to seek ways to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable.
He said: “This is a government that cares.
“We will look at the numbers with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.”
President Tinubu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) across all levels was committed to improving citizens’ well-being.
He added: “Regardless of their shenanigans, the All Progressive Congress (APC) believes that the people deserve to see governance translated into roads, bridges, power, jobs and real opportunities that affect human beings.
“That signals the development of our country.
“We are all working hard.
“The projects that I commissioned today demonstrate and testify to an immutable truth: Development advances further, faster when the federal government and the state government work in partnership and towards a shared purpose.”
The President commended Governor Diri for embarking on impactful projects which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.
He said: “Douye, you’ve done a great job.
“I have commissioned some projects, very transformative projects.
“The bridge, linking communities and the dual carriageways, creates opportunities, jobs, and hope for our nation.
“Thank you for that commitment, and thank you for being a very progressive governor.”
The President recalled his pioneering efforts towards establishing the Independent Power Plant as governor of Lagos State, stressing that despite the dire power challenges across the nation, his administration will ensure energy sufficiency for national development.
He commended Diri for demonstrating the power of very purposeful leadership and assured him that the Federal Government would continue to partner with subnational governments for the benefit of citizens through job creation and skill empowerment.
At the commencement of the event, President Tinubu observed a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria who lost their lives while defending the nation in the theatres of battle, as well as the former governor of the state, DSP Alamieyeseigha.
He had earlier inaugurated several projects, including the 60-megawatt gas-fired Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area; 630-metre Angiama-Oporoma Bridge; and new Yenagoa City Road (1).
In his remarks, Diri said the President’s policy interventions created the enabling environment for the state to deliver the gas-fired power plant and move closer to a reliable, independent electricity supply.
