President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to easing the hardship faced by Nigerians as a result of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
He noted that efforts are underway to develop responsive measures to cushion its impact on citizens.
The President made the remarks during a civic reception in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, following the inauguration of key projects executed by the state government.
President Tinubu further noted that the government was fully aware of the economic pressures stemming from the Middle East crisis.
Ongoing Engagement
He stressed that ongoing engagements with the Ministry of Finance are focused on identifying viable policy responses to cushion the effects and support citizens through the current challenges.
” Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel prices are biting hard. But look around. Let’s just thank God together that we are better off listening to what is happening in Kenya and other African countries. What they are going through,” he said.
The President reassured citizens of his administration’s resolve, stressing that the government “will not look back” in advancing its reform agenda and delivering on its commitments.
” We will continue to find ways to ameliorate the suffering of the vulnerable. This is a government that cares. We will look at the numbers with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.
“And we will see what we can do to ease the burden. But that is the development,” the President said.
He emphasised the shared burden of the war in the Middle East, saying that its impact resonates across the globe.
“These are the challenges of the war, we didn’t call for.
“But the effects of interrelated world that we share. And both the joy and the pain of it is universal,”the Nigerian leader said.
Inaugurated Projects
The President had earlier inaugurated several projects including the 60-megawatt gas-fired Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in a move aimed at improving electricity supply and accelerating industrial growth in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu described the project as a critical intervention in addressing persistent electricity challenges in the region.
He noted that reliable power remains central to economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards.
The President also toured the facility, inspecting key infrastructure including turbines, transformers, and distribution systems to assess the plant’s operational readiness.
The power facility, executed under the administration of Governor Douye Diri, is designed to strengthen energy security by reducing dependence on the national grid and delivering more stable electricity to homes and businesses.
The plant, powered by gas turbines, will primarily supply electricity to Yenagoa and surrounding communities.
The President commended Governor Diri for constructing the roads and bridges linking communities, dual carriageways, creating opportunity and jobs and hope for Nigeria.
He said, “ Thank you for that commitment and thank you for being a very progressive governor. To the people of Bayelsa State, I must tell you I’m very, very happy and proud to be here and to feel at home.
He commended Governor Diri for exemplifying purposeful and visionary leadership, while reiterating that Nigeria, as a nation, remains resolute in confronting its current challenges, drawing strength from the enduring sacrifices and resilience of its founding fathers in defeating all security threats.
Security
Speaking on security, especially the killing of Nigerian soldiers, President Tinubu assured that his government would work hard and continue to equip and train men and women of the armed forces to defeat terrorism and banditry, regardless of their antics.
He stressed that his administration believes that the citizens deserve to see governance translated into roads, bridges, power, jobs and real opportunities that affect human beings.
He said the developments indicates the growth of Nigeria.
“We’re all working hard and the project that I commissioned today demonstrates and testifies to an immutable truth. Development advances further, faster when the federal government and the state government work in partnership and towards a shared purpose. I hear you,” President Tinubu noted.
Addressing Governor Diri’s request for reimbursement on road infrastructure, President Tinubu acknowledged the appeal, noting that the matter would receive due consideration at the federal level.
He acknowledged state government’s intervention in delivering what is now classified as a federal road.
He recalled earlier discussions on waivers and indicating his willingness to review the request within the broader framework of federal support and intergovernmental collaboration.
The President also commended the Bayelsa State Government’s investment in the independent power plant, describing it as a forward-looking initiative critical to industrialisation, skills development and economic empowerment.
“You build it for your people. When we met in my office, you were asking for waiver for that and everything. Now you want reimbursement. It’s now Federal Road. I will take it with me.
“The independent power plant is a blessing and good thinking and I thank you for embarking on it. There can be no industrialization and skill development and empowerment without power. That is a vision.
He promised to encourage the Governor to do more. “I will support you to do more. But if it’s my road to take with me, that’s okay.
“I won’t put a Federal Road in Lagos. So you and I will have to debate that. All the projects remind us that we must do them, we must create job opportunity,” President Tinubu stated.
Federal Partnership
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with the state to scale up development efforts, stressing that infrastructure delivery not only enhances productivity but also drives job creation across value chains.
“In the project, in construction, you have water suppliers, you have welders, you have concrete mixers and all of that. It’s job creation. And I’ll do everything to support that.
“I’ll go along with you. The spirit of partnership, as you mentioned, is there and will continue to be there. And there’s no other way I could feel it,” the Nigeria leader explained.
President Tinubu emphasised that sustained collaboration between federal and subnational governments remains central to advancing shared development goals and improving livelihoods.
Governor Diri earlier stated that the project aligns with the federal government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” saying that it represents a major step toward industrialising the state. He said the initiative would not only improve power supply but also position Bayelsa as a more attractive destination for investors.
Governor Diri appealed to the President to approve refund of the money the state government spent on the federal roads in the State.
He revealed that his administration’s seven cardinal policies, under the Assured Prosperity program, aims at strengthening rural and urban development.
The Bayelsa State Governor disclosed that his government was also prioritising accessibility, inclusion, focusing on projects like the outer ring road, covering the Elebele to Igbogene and the Glory drive phase2, as well as the intra-city connectivity.
Others include the iconic nine story civil servant secretariat and the 30,000 seater international stadium
Diri stated that the Yenagoa–Oporoma–Ukubie road, one of the key projects inaugurated by President Tinubu, had for years posed a major challenge for residents of Southern Ijaw, who relied solely on water transport due to the terrain.
The Governor described the project as “a story of connection long denied, but finally pursued,” noting that its completion has effectively addressed a long-standing injustice and opened up the area to greater accessibility and development.
He noted that the newly commissioned projects will further help in strengthening the economic development of the state.
The event was witnessed by Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state and Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC Governors Forum, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state and Umar Kadafur, Deputy Governor of Borno State.
Others are Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Esther Walson- Jack, former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State Peter Akpe, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum, ( Oil), amongst others.
