…says Nigeria’s investment in power N1.8trn

By Daniel Idonor

ABUJA—VICE President Namadi Sambo yesterday urged African leaders to take concrete steps toward the industrialization of the region as no one else would develop the continent.

He disclosed that the Nigerian government had in the recent past invested about $12 billion (N1.8 trillion) on the improvement of power generation, supply and distribution as well as the rejuvenation of the nation’s moribund rail transportation system.

In an address to the Nigerian community in Burundi, at the inauguration of Pierre Nkurunziza, the Burundian president, in Bujumbura, Vice President Sambo said President Goodluck Jonathan was doing everything within his powers to reduce the problem of poverty in the country.

Harps on eradication of poverty

He said African countries must partner among themselves for more enhanced development and better standard of living on the continent, adding that this had become necessary as majority of African countries were attaining their 50 years of independence this year.

Sambo emphasised that “foreign countries would not develop Africa but Africans themselves and, therefore, there is need for more partnership for meaningful development.” 

He disclosed that he had directed the Head of Nigerian Mission in Burundi to discuss ways of partnership with the country where Nigeria could assist in terms of development.

The vice president, who expressed optimism that current challenges facing Africa were not insurmountable, urged African leaders to partner with the rest of the world to develop the continent as no one would do it for them.

“The problem of Africa should be solved by Africa,” he said, adding that what African leaders should be doing was not to continue to rely on donation and support from the international community but to partner the rest of the world to tackle the problems of the continent.

Calls for partnership, development amongst Africa countries

“We want partnership and investments and that is what we are driving at,” he said.

According to him, since the majority of the countries in Africa are celebrating their 50 years of statehood, it behoves  the leaders to devise means through which development can be attained on the continent.

“The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is doing everything to ensure that we drive out poverty from Nigeria, to transform our society and improve our economy,” Sambo said, stressing that the emphasis of the government was to address squarely the power supply problems in the country.

According to him “we are doing a lot in the power sector to ensure that power supply is addressed with seriousness.

“The government is investing over $10 billion in the generation, transmission and distribution in the power sector to attract direct foreign investments, with emphasis on medium and large power plants as well as coal power plants.”

He said the “the government is putting a lot of efforts in developing our transport system. The railway is being rejuvenated. Our old railway system is now brought back to use and new railway is being built. Over N2 billion is being invested in that area”.