Minister of Transportation, Malam Mu’azu Sambo Jaji has revealed that the Lekki Deep-Sea Port project would create over one hundred thousand jobs for Nigerians upon its completion.
The minister made the declaration in Jalingo, Taraba state capital while fielding questions from journalists.
He said that the port, which was second in Nigeria after Onne Deep-Sea Port has the potential to generate more revenue for the port in particular and Nigeria in general.
Sambo noted that the importance of the project would impact positively on the nation’s economy.
“The Lekki deep-sea port project which is the second after One Deep Sea Port in Nigeria is very significant because the largest ships in the world can berth at the Port”.
“That means more tonnage, more cargo, more revenue for the port and the country, more economic activities.
” And above all more jobs like I said, over 112, 000 both direct and indirect will be created as a result of the creation of the Lekki deep-sea port.
“This will be in the first few years and as time goes on and as activities expand, the number of jobs will even multiply and that is what is good for us.
“For as more jobs we have, the more our ability to put food on the table of many Nigerians,’ Jaji said.
He explained that his recent redeployment from the federal ministry of Works and Housing to Transportation would not affect the ongoing road execution projects in Taraba state.
According to him, the ongoing road projects in the state will be completed later.
The minister gave an assurance that he would explore the option of Corporate Social Responsibilities from agencies in the Federal Ministry of Transportation which would positively impact the lives of the people in the state.
“I have been given assurances from the Ministry of Works and Housing that as soon as funds are released from the federal ministry of Finance, contractors will receive their outstanding payments and will be able to continue with their work.
“My movement to the ministry of Transportation does not mean that the impact of infrastructure win Taraba as far as the road is concerned will end.
” Even in the federal ministry of transportation we agencies that have corporate social responsibilities to execute.
“Such corporate social responsibilities will include all those activities that will touch the lives of the common man including township roads.
“And I intend to explore that option to be able to bring more succor to the people of Taraba State.
Sambo advised political party supporters in the state to imbibe the spirit of peace and brotherliness during and after the political party campaigns.
According to him, no contest in this life is worth dying for except the contest for the face of God.
“We should approach this election with calmness, peace, and brotherliness because there is no contest in this life that is worth dying for except the contest for the face of God.
“Any other contest is a matter that ends here. Everybody wants to win an election ostensibly to better the lives of his people, so whosoever wins should be embraced.
Sani Sulaiman
