One year not enough to meet targets, says Jonathan

Date: 17-05-2010 8:50 pm (13 years ago) | Author: Daniel Bosai
- at 17-05-2010 08:50 PM (13 years ago)
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President Goodluck Jonathan has said the remaining 12 months of this administration is such a short time to achieve set targets.


He has also asked Nigerians to pray for him saying �without your prayers I will be doomed, without the Almighty God, I will be doomed�.

The President, however, indicated that he is determined to make remarkable impact and that begins with a road map for development in the country.

Jonathan made these statements at two separate events: a banquet held to mark the end of his visit to Rivers State and a special prayer session by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's family yesterday in Abuja.

�We cannot achieve much under these 12 months,� said the President. �But one basic thing is that we must set a clear road map that everybody should know where we are going so that we can set targets and time line for you to achieve your targets.�

Jonathan pledged to serve Nigeria diligently within the time frame available to him. Speaking on the Niger Delta, the President promised to contribute as much as possible to the development of the region.

During his visit to Rivers State, he inaugurated some projects, inspected others and laid foundation stones. He praised Governor Chibuike Amaechi for his vision in developing the state.

Jonathan stated that he was particularly pleased with road networks in Rivers and the monorail project in progress. Another area, which he said caught his interest, was the development of the education and the power sectors.

�Beside the road network, I want to commend Governor Amaechi on the three major projects; the quality of primary and secondary schools that we saw, as well as the power project that would aid small business enterprises,� he said.

The President admitted that some of the projects needed the assistance of the Federal Government to realize and noted that the state government�s vision for the younger generation is a welcome development.

Commenting on the building of the Greater Port Harcourt, Jonathan advised that it would be too cumbersome for the state government to think of building all the structures and that it would be better to allow the city to develop gradually without distortion.

In his speech, Amaechi expressed appreciation to the President for considering it worthwhile to visit the state and thanked him for promising to refund the over N45 billion expended by the state on federal projects.

In a veiled reference to godfatherism, Amaechi described it as a dead phenomenon.

Meanwhile, at the special prayer session by CAN for the late President Yar'Adua's family, Jonathan recalled the experience of Jeremiah in the scriptures when he was called, he cried out to God and said he was too small to carry out the mandate given to him God and God promised him that He was going to stand by him.

�It is only through your prayers that God will stay by me to succeed,� he said.

Expressing the belief that Nigerians �know what is good for us as a nation�, the President urged the citizens to imbibe the political will to do what is right.

�I will work with my team and the National Assembly to see that relevant laws are enacted and those that need to be amended are amended�, he pledged, adding that for there to be credible elections in the country, �it is certain that certain laws must change�.

The President welcomed constructive criticism, saying that he believes that all of us have to change and be patriotic, stressing that �together Nigeria will be great. From cleaner to the presidency this country will change if we be guided by God.�

Among those at the service were Governors Peter Obi of Anambra State; Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State; Theodore Orji of Abia State; and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.

Others include Minister of Information, Prof Dora Akunyilui; Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia; Labaran Maku, members of the National Assembly led by Senate President David Mark and his wife, and members of the diplomatic corps and members of various churches.


Posted: at 17-05-2010 08:50 PM (13 years ago) | Addicted Hero