Atiku holds Rivers ‘rally’ in Abuja, promises to complete East-West Road

The presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP Atiku Abubakar has promised to complete the East-West Road project if elected president.

Atiku spoke in Abuja on Sunday night during an interactive session with a faction of Rivers PDP leaders at the conference room of the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.

The PDP presidential campaign rally, originally scheduled to hold last week in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was cancelled over security concerns.

Addressing the gathering, Atiku said: “The completion of the East-West Road will be a cardinal priority commitment for our presidency. The international airport in Port Harcourt will receive increased attention and investment to become a truly regional hub.

“Amongst other dividends, the transportation infrastructure in Rivers State will receive priority attention. The existing seaports will be expanded to increase economic activities that will have a multiplier effect on the economy of Rivers State for the prosperity of our people.

“The uncompleted rail line from Onne Port to join the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri rail line, which has been on the drawing board for decades, will be completed speedily, while the deep seaport in Bonny will receive immediate attention.

“The international airport in Port Harcourt will receive increased attention and investment to become a truly regional hub.

The youth of Rivers State, like other states in the Niger Delta, will benefit from our dedicated economic empowerment scheme as a means of dealing with the persistent youth restiveness and discontent which have sometimes created security challenges.

“Among other initiatives, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) will be revamped and restructured to become an enduring platform for unleashing the boundless creative energies and potential of our youths in Rivers State”

(Nation)