THISDAY

Saraki: Investors Shun Nigeria over Govt Policies, Infrastruc­tures Deficit

- Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Senate President and presidenti­al aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Bukola Saraki yesterday observed that investors shun the country due to lack of confidence in the country’s leadership and government’s policies.

He made the remark in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while addressing the state PDP delegates to the party’s national convention coming up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, at the weekend.

He said government needed to create enabling environmen­t that would bring investors as investors can only operate where they have confidence in the leadership and in policies.

“There is competitio­n and investors are all around looking for safety. It is infrastruc­ture deficit that we have.”

“I believe as a president I have the idea to ensure those investors come to the country. You see in Akwa Ibom what your Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is doing in bring different type of industries here is because those investors believe in him, understand the language and he ensure he create that enabling environmen­t,

He promised to sign into law the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administra­tion, saying if the law is signed it will provide job for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

“Unfortunat­ely the issues that are being raised are non- issues. The PIB is too important for us.

“If I emerge as the candidate of party and president, I can assure you that the law will be one of the few things to do and sign it into law. We need it in order to provide jobs for millions of youths that are looking for job.

“We need it to improve on our oil and gas sector; we need it to boost our economy so it is a priority. Things that are priority for the country I will sit down and make sure it happen,” he said.

Soliciting for the support of the Akwa Ibom electorate, Saraki said the country needs a president that has understand­ing of the issues.

“You seen what has developed in the last few years whether you want to admit it not this country has been so divided as it is today. The true is that there is no sense of belonging by large percentage of this country.

“Sometime people say are we still belonging, are we still part of it. The true is we need justice and rule of law. We have opportunit­y comes next Saturday and next year February to put in place your vote to bring PDP Presidenti­al candidate and President of the country.

“This country needs a President that all of us will look at him and say I will have a fair hearing here; a President that will represent everybody. “This is a President that will represent us no matter any religion.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria