2015 Polls: FG to build rail link between Lokoja and Abuja

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday promised to construct a rail line between Abuja and Lokoja as part of measures to fast-track the socio-economic development of the country.
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Jonathan who disclosed this while addressing a rally of party faithful at Lokoja said that the engineering design of the rail line which will also be extended to Ajaokuta would soon be approved.

The president said that Kogi State occupied an important position in the history of the country and must be therefore properly linked to encourage enterprise, trade and commerce and create wealth for the people.

He said that the Federal Government was also committed to the completion of the sprawling Ajaokuta Steel Company, adding that all legal issues slowing down its completion had been resolved.

“We are not playing politics with Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company. Legal issues have been holding down its completion”, he said, adding that the final legal papers would be signed in a couple of weeks from now.

Jonathan said that in line with the Federal Government’s new automobile policy whuch states that at least 65 per cent of components be sourced locally, completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company would be of immense help.

“For us to achieve this, iron, fibre and other raw materials must be produced in Nigeria,” he said.

The president also hinted that his administration had been able to rehabilitate over 20,000 kilometers of the 35,000 kilometres of federal road network in the country and called on Nigerians to re-elect him to complete the remaining 10,000 kilometres in the next couple of years.

He commended the founding fathers of the state for their roles in the development of the country and the formation of the PDP, urging the people to remain steadfast and continue to support the party.

Addressing the rally, National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu described President Jonathan as tolerant and cool headed, saying that he had not been muzzling the voice of the people.

He said that no member of opposition was in detention while no Nigerian had been living in exile because of political differences with the president.

Vice President Namadi Sambo in his remarks expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their past support to the PDP and urged them to vote massively for the party in the forth-coming elections.

While assuring that the state will continue to be accorded due priority in the scheme of things, Sambo promised that the federal Government will ensure the quick actualization of the Alape Crop processing Zone in the state and other federal projects on going in the state.

The President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark said that Jonathan deserved to be re-elected because he had fulfilled all the promises made to the North-Central Zone during 2011 electioneering campaign.
He urged the people of the state reciprocate by voting massively on Feb. 14 for the president and all the PDP national assembly candidates.

The Director-General of the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation, Dr Ahamadu Ali appealed to the people to stand firm and not to be stampeded into voting against their conscience during the coming elections.

He said the state had benefitted tremendously from the administration of Jonathan, urging the people to vote for him on Feb. 14 so that the state will continue to experience transformation.

The state governor, Capt. Idris Wada earlier in his welcome enumerated all the federal projects in the state, saying that the people had no regret casting their lots with the PDP since inception in 1999.

Wada assured President Jonathan that come Feb. 14 the people will reciprocate by voting massively for him and other candidates of the party and thanked him for fulfilling his 2011 electoral promises to the state.

NAN reports that covered the rally report that the 25,000 –capacity Lokoja Confluence Stadium was filled to the capacity by residents and party members who came in from 21 local government areas of the state.

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