►Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC,
General Muhammadu Buhari (ret), weekend, promised to create no fewer
than one million jobs for youths in the South-East by revamping huge
coal deposits in Enugu for genera- tion of electricity and export.
►Buhari made the promise at Enugu West APC zonal rally, in Orie, Awgu Market, Awgu Local Government Area of the state.
►Buhari made the promise at Enugu West APC zonal rally, in Orie, Awgu Market, Awgu Local Government Area of the state.
The presidential hopeful, who was represented by the state Chairman of APC Presidential Campaign
Council, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, explained that the coal would be revamped
with the objective of generating electricity to serve the entire
South-East, to boost the economy of the zone.
Buhari assured that he would award the contract immediately he was
sworn-in, saying: “We are banking on huge coal deposits located at
Amasiodo, Inyi and Leje axis of Enugu Coal belt.
“We are going to award contract for mining and construction of
coal-fired-power-plant unlike Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that since
1999 promised to revamp the coal fields and 16 years after, nothing has
been done.
“We believe that coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Enugu State
and Enugu Coal is one of the most qualitative brands in the world, which
means that while some are used to generate electricity, some will be
exported.”
The former Head of State said his objective was to create one million
jobs directly and indirectly, from the coal project, as ancillary
projects would follow.
“My idea is to emulate the Taichung Coal-Fired-Power-Plant in Taiwan,
the largest coal power station in the world. Coal supplies 46 per cent
electricity in the United States and over 60 per cent electricity in
China. It is callous to abandon such golden treasure,” he said.
He lamented that, “for 16 years, every election Igbo voted for PDP and
yet, the coal belt remains untapped, hence there is no commensurate
reward. In 2014 budget for instance, over N600 billion capital projects
were executed in South South, while less than N200 billion was executed
in the South East, is that equity and justice?”
I’ll create 1m jobs in S-East, exploiting coal for power generation, export—Buhari
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Oleh
healthandwealth
