In line with the eight-point agenda of the Renewed Hope administration, President Bola Tinubu has accelerated economic recovery in the Works sector across the six geopolitical.
Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when he hosted Forum of State Chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria.
He promised to collaborate with the forum on project monitoring and fostering feedback mechanism in project delivery management, just as he commended the steps taken by Tinubu to exit Nigeria out of recession.
"There are lots of improvement in our economy. I have always said that Mr. President inherited an economy that was in oxygen; that was in shock, and then he came, and he put oxygen. Today, we have removed the oxygen. And the economy is promising.
"If you come and look at the fuel subsidy removal, you just ask yourself, if that was not done, where will this country have been? People darken counsel without knowledge. And when you criticise, can you give us an alternative? People criticised fuel subsidy removal and we came at the time that the ugly effect of the Naira redesign brought a lot of hardship for the people.
"But with the floating of the Naira, Mr. President has been able to stabilise the economy. When we came on board, we saw the way the Naira and the dollar were. But today, we have a stable Naira," he added.
Umahi disclosed that the policy direction of Mr. President was aimed at stabilising and strengthening the economy and making Nigeria to be self-sufficient and self-reliant despite economic uncertainties.
He said: "Just yesterday, Mr. President unveiled a policy on local content because jobs that our people are supposed to be doing, should not be given to outsiders. The President has directed that local materials that can be locally sourced should not be imported.
"The food prices are coming down. I was very shocked to see for the first time during the Muslim festival that instead of food prices going up, it reduced. And it's something that we have to appreciate Mr. President."
While praising the President for the huge intervention on road infrastructure, he added: "He is a man that understands that the road sector, bridge sector and infrastructure sector are the catalysts that grows the GDP of the nation and other sectors benefit from them."
He thanked the forum, national chairman, national working Committee of APC and the governors in Nigeria for their support to the progresssive economic reforms of the renewed hope administration, adding that construction of road projects guarantees active citizenship participation and consensus building.
Umahi encouraged the forum to feel free to task contractors and project managers on quality and accountability.
The Chairman of APC Cross River State, Alphonsus Ogar Eba thanked the President for his illuminating stewardship in the works sector, which he said would speak for him during the 2027 re-election bid.
Eba praised the intellectual capacity of Umahi, describing it as great impetus to the transformation witnessed in the road sector.
He said: "This visit is a solidarity visit to commend you for being the light that has brought proper illumination to the pitiful darkness that was found in the road infrastructure. And so for us, we can only thank Mr. President, who discovered you even when you were in a comfort zone of being a Senator.
"If we remain in our respective States, we will write a long letter and send it to you. People will not know about it.We have come to seek partnership with you. We are ready in the field.We have done our political evangelism and are prepared for the election of Mr. President.
"The partnership we seek today is to say we want to become volunteers, who will be helping to supervise your projects. We have always been trying to get to sites. When we are not satisfied with the contractors, we take immediate action. Your Excellency, we want to be the catalyst towards those actions."
Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo described Senator Umahi as a patriotic professional with deep expertise in the road sector.
He emphasised that Nigeria is fortunate to produce a minister like Umahi, who is knowledgeable and committed to nation-building.
Goronyo commended the forum for their warm visit, encouraging party chairmen across the states to continue supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He pointed out that their presence was not just a show of solidarity but a testament to their shared commitment to building a stronger infrastructure base for Nigeria.
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