Says: I’m only a noise-maker
Governor of Niger state, Dr
Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to
regard his criticisms of the presidency as a mere noise-making aimed at
attracting development to his state.
Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to
regard his criticisms of the presidency as a mere noise-making aimed at
attracting development to his state.
Aliyu, who is the chairman of
the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), spoke yesterday in Zungeru,
Wushishi local government area of the state, during the ground-breaking
ceremony for the construction of a 700-megawatt hydropower plant, performed by
the president.
the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), spoke yesterday in Zungeru,
Wushishi local government area of the state, during the ground-breaking
ceremony for the construction of a 700-megawatt hydropower plant, performed by
the president.
Jonathan made no direct response
to the governor’s plea in his own address, but instead promised to assent to
the Hydro Power Producing Areas Commission (HYPPADEC) bill, which formed part
of the governor’s requests, without further delay.
to the governor’s plea in his own address, but instead promised to assent to
the Hydro Power Producing Areas Commission (HYPPADEC) bill, which formed part
of the governor’s requests, without further delay.
Apparently sounding apologetic
as an aftermath of the suspension of Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers state by
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aliyu said his criticisms of Jonathan were
not personal and should not be regarded as an affront to the Presidency.
as an aftermath of the suspension of Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers state by
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aliyu said his criticisms of Jonathan were
not personal and should not be regarded as an affront to the Presidency.
He said: “Regardless of the
noise we are making, PDP shall make it. We are one family and we are firmly
with the President”.
noise we are making, PDP shall make it. We are one family and we are firmly
with the President”.
He thanked Jonathan for the
gift of the hydropower plant, saying it has brought to four the number of
hydropower stations in Niger state.
gift of the hydropower plant, saying it has brought to four the number of
hydropower stations in Niger state.
“Hydro dams would boost the
economic activities of the host communities and elevate the living standards of
the local people,” he said.
economic activities of the host communities and elevate the living standards of
the local people,” he said.
Laying the foundation stone of
the project, Jonathan restated the commitment of his administration to the
success of the power sector reforms, stressing that the initial challenges
facing the sector have been overcome.
the project, Jonathan restated the commitment of his administration to the
success of the power sector reforms, stressing that the initial challenges
facing the sector have been overcome.
He said the Zungeru hydropower
project will open up vast agricultural activities in the area, including allied
industries, in addition to improving the economic potentials of the state and
the country.
project will open up vast agricultural activities in the area, including allied
industries, in addition to improving the economic potentials of the state and
the country.
In his remarks, the Minister of
Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said the nation’s power-generating capacity has
risen to 4,517 megawatts, adding that the Zungeru power plant project has been
on the drawing board since 1982 and praised Jonathan for bringing it to
reality.
Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said the nation’s power-generating capacity has
risen to 4,517 megawatts, adding that the Zungeru power plant project has been
on the drawing board since 1982 and praised Jonathan for bringing it to
reality.
Source: Blueprint
