The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised a prosperous and better country if he is elected Nigeria’s president.

Tinubu spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a consultative session with the leadership and members of the Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria (FOCI).

He said his aspiration was not for personal reasons, adding that a better future for Nigerian children was his goal.

Tinubu promised high-capacity telecommunications networks, constant energy supply, protection of oil and gas pipelines and adequate power supply.

Apart from expanding and modernizing the nation’s airports, he said he would pursue the dream to establish a new national carrier.

He emphasised that the APC administration will  encourage state governments to build public transportation or metro systems in their capital cities.

He said, “Where is our destination? A prosperous better Nigeria. This is not for me as an individual but for our children.

“We plan to build high-capacity telecommunications networks to facilitate faster communication across a wider expanse of the national territory.

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“We will promote the efficient flow of information, expand and secure pipelines for oil and gas to ensure constant energy supply and exports.

“I will also invest in adequate power generation as well as better functioning transmission and distribution  systems that will light our homes and make business more competitive by achieving disruption free production of goods and service.

“Other essential provisions, such as affordable Housing, which increases the social stability as well as the standard of living of  Nigerian households will be promoted.

“Of course, we will continue with the current administration’s plans to establish a new national carrier. We will also enhance runway and airport security through the use of modern surveillance technology. Finally, we will work to ensure fairness and transparency in ticket pricing for both international and domestic airlines.”

He restated his plans to build on the legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari

He said Buhari must be given credit for what he has done.

He expressed confidence that the President will end well.

“We commend Buhari for his efforts to end well and he will end well,” he said.

He promised to consolidate on the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He added: “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.

“The current administration’s reenergized approach to the Reviewed National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan commits us to massive investment in infrastructure. This will add value to the national economy while enhancing private sector participation in infrastructure development in the country.

“God willing, as we assume the mantle of leadership, we shall build an even more prosperous economy. This means additional investment in relevant infrastructure: Roads, Bridges, Rail, Airports, Schools, Power facilities, Hospitals and more. These will enhance efficiency, support industrial growth, spur trade and investment, and improve the Ease of Doing Business. “

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Tinubu pledged more life-defining infrastructure for Nigerians, promising to

focus on policies and interventions in key methods of transportation: road, rail, maritime and air.

He added:” 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.

“Here, I make a plain and clear promise: 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.

“Concerning roads, 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.

“I must, at this juncture, commend the Muhammadu Buhari administration for its commitment in this direction.

“The administration has worked with singular purpose to expand and increase the stock of road and bridge infrastructure of our country. We intend to follow this exemplary path.

“Building on the accomplishments of the current Government, my administration will invest heavily in road transport which accounts for the lion’s share of passenger and cargo movement across the country. In 2021 alone, road transportation accounted for roughly 90 percent of all transportation activities in the country.

“Overall, the transportation sector is valued at NGN37 trillion. Transport activities contributed 1.84% to real GDP in Q2 2022.  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.

“Among the outstanding achievements of this administration include advancements made in the completion of critical road and bridge projects which were seemingly unsolvable for previous administrations. They include the Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Shagamu Expressways, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway, Bodo-Bonny Bridge across the Opobo Channel, and the Second Niger Bridge.

“Advancements made in executing these projects elevates the APC Government, ably led by President Muhammadu Buhari, head and shoulder above its predecessors.

He said if elected, the APC administration will  encourage state governments to build public transportation or metro systems in their capital cities.

“My government will enhance the use of our railways to reduce the cost of moving goods and services across the nation.

“We will sustain the investments already made by the Buhari 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.

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“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.

“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.

“I commit to realizing the immense opportunities inherent in the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the first new Sea port in decades, which is more than 90 per cent completed.

“We intend to decongest the Apapa Port, modernize other existing ports by deepening the harbour and shipping lanes as well as enlarging berths and docking facilities to allow the largest oceangoing cargo vessels to use all Nigerian seaports.

“Optimizing the use of our inland rivers, lakes and waterways, my administration will embark on a dredging campaign for strategically important inland waterways to make and keep them navigable for the passage of goods and people.

“We will devise a comprehensive plan for the improved use and access to waterways for the transportation of passengers and cargo and create better inter-agency co-operation and coordination among regulators in the sector.

While acknowledging substantial investments in the Aviation Sector, Tinubu said his administration will embark on modernization and expansion of existing airport facilities.

Tinubu said: “Without a doubt our aviation sector has benefited from substantial investments with new terminals and allied infrastructure in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Kano, as well as runway projects in other locations.

“To guarantee the growth, development and safety of the Nigerian aviation sector, my government will focus on enforcing a governance policy for the timely and adequate maintenance and improvement of airport runways and other critical aviation infrastructure.

“My administration will also invest in the modernization and expansion of existing airport facilities, improving aircraft maintenance and safety measures and incident reporting requirements regarding domestic airlines. We will strengthen the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other aviation regulatory agencies to maintain global standards in the industry.

I thank our hardworking Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, for convening this very important meeting and for so kindly inviting me to address it and interact with the FOCI Stakeholders.

The Nation