**tasks senators on infrastructure, budgeting
By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that most of the Nigerian roads were death traps, saying that they deserve urgent attention of the government.

Buhari in a dinner with Senators

The President spoke at a presidential dinner organised in honour of senators at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

The dinner also attracted the presence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, some presidential aides and other top government functionaries.

The president who tasked the senators on the social infrastructures such as power, rail and roads also remarked that efforts should be channelled towards building the railways to ease the pressure on the federal highways.

“The roads are dead. Those who drive between Lagos and Ibadan will have a lot of stories to tell you. Those who drive from Kaduna to Jebba may have more stories to tell. The same thing is applicable to the East West roads,” the President said.

The president asked Senate Committees to review the various agreements in the last 6 years with a view to dictating whether the country failed in its cpunter-parts fundings

The president also stated that the dwindling oil prices have drastically affected federal government’s plans.

He expressed gratitude to the Senate for speeding up the screening of tha last ministerial nominees, urging to so same on other issues of national importance.

“We are enjoying tremendous goodwill outside this country. Whatever we do, let us have it in mind that people have confidence in this government,” the President admonished.

Appreciating president Buhari on behalf of the senators, the Senate President,Dr. Bukola Saraki, stated that they would at all time accord urgency to national matters.

“Petrol does not know APC or PDP. We will always work hard in the interest of the country in everything we do,” Saraki promised.

The dinner later assumed a closed-door session.