Jonathan campaigns in Kaduna

Jonathan campaigns in Kaduna

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 10:58 pm


President Jonathan greets Kaduna State traditional rulers

President Jonathan greets Kaduna State traditional rulers

President Goodluck Jonathan may not have formally flagged off his campaign for a second term in office, but in Kaduna today, he seized the opportunity of the opening of a new Governor’s office to underscore the achievements of his administration.

And what an earful audience that he had: many of the traditional rulers of the state, including the Emir of Zazzau in the city of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris, were at the event!.

After saluting the Governor Mukhtar Yero’s administration for building the new office, President Jonathan swiftly marketed the efforts of his administration as well in providing ‘critical infrastructure’ in the state, in areas of roads, rail transportation, energy and agriculture. He also mentioned efforts being made in forging peace in the land.

“As you may be aware, our administration is on the verge of completing the Abuja-Kaduna standard-gauge fast rail line – the first of its kind in the country. Our ultimate goal is to make it easier to traverse Nigeria and increase the integration of our people and our ability to do business with each other.

Jonathan with the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris

Jonathan with the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris

“In the last three and half years, we have also completed several road projects in this great State including the reconstruction of the Vom-Manchok Road, the rehabilitation of the Access Road to Kaduna Refinery and the rehabilitation of the Mararaba-Pambeguwa-Saminaka Road to mention just a few.

” Kaduna State has also benefitted immensely from the national reforms and attendant overhaul in the power sector. The construction of a 215 megawatts thermal power plant at Kudenda and distribution projects like the 330kv Kaduna-Zaria-Kano line, and the 132kv Jos-Kafanchan-Funtua-Malumfashi-Katsina Transmission lines among others.

“We are largely agrarian people and our focus in the Agriculture and Water Resources sector, has seen us completing the Galma Dam at Kuzuntu, as well as the Gurara Dam. It is pertinent to note that these major multipurpose dams have dual capacity for power generation, as well as irrigation for our farmers.

Mrs. Lawrencia Mallam, Jonathan, second left, Governor Yero at the commissioning of the new Governor's office

Mrs. Lawrencia Mallam, Jonathan, second left, Governor Yero at the commissioning of the new Governor’s office

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Agriculture has received high priority under our administration because we recognize the sector as our new frontier for growth.

” Our Agricultural Transformation Agenda, which I launched in 2011, has the primary objective of unlocking the huge potentials of the agricultural sector and making it the main driver of our national economy – the way it was before we discovered oil.

” As we witness, for instance, high yields in rice, corn, sorghum, pepper, tomatoes and other crops, we can confidently attribute this to the elimination of corruption in fertilizer distribution as ordinary farmers in our country now have a direct access to fertilizers and input through the e-wallet system. I am glad that the Kaduna State Government has keyed in to the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.”

Jonathan will formally declare for a second term on 11 November.


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One Comment

  • The Nigeria Future Project says:

    Perhaps he could have branched in Chibok to look after the well being of the parents – or visits Gwoza to see of the affected citizens. Or stops at a military barracks to commend the troops that put themselves in harms way…but who are we following.

    Let’s not pretend that the president is interested in anything other that reelection.

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