The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, has asked for the support of the Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria (FOCI) in order to achieve his administration’s target of massively developing the country’s infrastructure if elected president.
The presidential candidate of the All progressive congress APC, made this known in Abuja the nation’s capital during a stakeholder consultative session with the Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria, FOCI.
“We must work together and collaborate to look at the bottlenecks impeding the realization of the full potential of the construction industry and take realistic efforts to address this issue” he said.
The APC flag bearer promised to look into the possibility of floating a construction bank to make sustained credit available for the construction industry and increase infrastructure in the country.
Monetary Policies
He also disclosed that if elected president, he would separate fiscal from monetary policies and end the multiplicity of taxes in the country to give Nigerians a new lease of life by encouraging them to pay reasonable taxes for development.
According to Tinubu, “Taxes should not become a burden to either the citizen or the corporate organisation doing business in the country”.
He further stressed the current administration’s reenergized approach to the Reviewed National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan reiterating his commitment to invest massively in infrastructure and by so doing, add value to the national economy while enhancing private sector participation in infrastructure development in Nigeria.
“God willing, as we assume the mantle of leadership, we shall build an even more prosperous economy” he said.
According to him additional investment in relevant infrastructure like, Roads, Bridges, Rail, Airports, Schools, Power facilities, Hospitals and more will also be made available.
” These will enhance efficiency, support industrial growth, spur trade and investment, and improve the Ease of Doing Business”
“My commitment to increase annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will heavily depend on the quality of the infrastructure we shall build to facilitate and sustain growth in all facets of our national life “ he said
” I will be your partner in building this life-defining infrastructure so essential to creating the nation of our dreams. The framework on Infrastructure in our Renewed Hope action plan encapsulates, among others, the renewal and expansion of the existing stock of our national infrastructure. This means sound transport networks across the country, modern ports and reduced transportation costs for Nigerians”
“God willing, as we assume the mantle of leadership, we shall build an even more prosperous economy” he said.
Concerning roads, he said, ” we shall continue the rehabilitation and expansion of existing federal roads and expressways. We shall accelerate construction of new roads as well as the rehabilitation of existing ones through already established funding mechanisms, including accessing capital markets”
Tinubu commended the President Muhammudu Buhari’s led administration saying they have worked with singular purpose, to expand and increase the stock of road and bridge infrastructure of our country, stressing that his team will follow this exemplary path.
“I must, at this juncture, commend the Muhammadu Buhari administration for its commitment in this direction”
“I acknowledge the progress of the Ministry of Works and Housing under its indefatigable Minister Mr. Babatunde Fashola, in establishing the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). It will be our springboard to achieving the envisaged nationwide highway system. Advancements made in executing these projects elevates the APC Government, ably led by President Muhammadu Buhari, head and shoulder above its predecessors”
Rail Infrastructure
On rail infrastructure, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu emphasised that his government will enhance the use of railways to reduce the cost of moving goods and services across the nation.
“We will sustain the investments already made by the Buhari led administration and deepen ongoing reforms in the sector.
“Apart from its cost-effectiveness, enhanced rail use will reduce strain and congestion on our roads and expressways thereby significantly lowering the number of vehicular accidents”
“My administration will also encourage State Governments to build public transportation or metro systems in their capital cities”
“The metros will link with existing national rail lines and revolutionize urban transport in Nigeria. This will boost commerce and contribute significantly to GDP growth.” he stressed.
He disclosed that the overall transportation sector in Nigeria is valued at 37 trillion naira adding that Transport activities contributed 1.84% to real GDP in Q2 2022.
To achieve these objectives, which include promoting greater private sector inclusion, we shall work with the National Assembly to review the organization, structure and operations of the Nigerian Railway Corporation. We shall also prioritize the completion of critical ongoing national railway projects such as: Lagos – Kano; Benin – Abakaliki; Port Harcourt – Maiduguri; Lagos – Calabar; and Kano – Maradi. In addition, we shall deploy technology and security assets to protect travelers and ensure the safety and integrity of our railway infrastructure.
“Sustaining the political will and technical capacity to move people and goods in a safe, affordable and accessible manner will create a better future for Nigerians”
“We will, therefore, work hard to improve our various transportation systems and, in the process, unlock the value chain of opportunities therein,” he added.
Fielding questions from members of the Asociation, he said he would consider the Construction Bank proposed by one of them, but added the problem of the industry is the paucity of long term funding instruments.
The former Lagos State governor said his administration will continue the rehabilitation and expansion of existing federal roads and expressways, accelerate construction of new roads as well as the rehabilitation of existing ones through already established funding mechanisms, including accessing capital markets.
On insecurity, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that his administration would surmount the security challenges confronting the country by taking appropriate measures to secure all parts of the country, if elected.
“From the outset of the campaign, I have declared my commitment to furthering the developmental feats achieved by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. I hereby reiterate that commitment”
“I will do everything possible to stabilize Nigeria’s security by adopting appropriate strategy to ensure that every areas of the country is adequately protected and secured”
“Security will be our number one priority and we will employ all means available including appropriate technology to ensure that nobody in the country is threatened by any form of insecurity,” Tinubu said.
On his part, the President and Chairman of Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria (FOCI) Mr Vncent Barrah, said that the body which was founded in 1954 and remains the largest employer of labour after the government, praised the government for continuing with the infrastructure projects it inherited from the previous administrations and for settling liability of members.
He thanked the APC candidate for honouring the invitation of the body to interact with him, saying his presence confirmed the high regards he has for members of the federation and the importance of the role of the body in the scheme of affairs in the country and thel largest employer of Labour in Nigeria after government.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of works and housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, noted that infrastructure is the backbone of a nation’s economy, saying if elected, Tinubu would continue with the infrastructure rebuilding started by President Muhammudu Buhari.
Also speaking, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development in Nigeria, Olamilekan Adegbite, expressed confidence that the country would be better under Asíwájú Tinubu given his track record of performance as governor of Lagos state.
N.O
