The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday assured the people of Ondo State that the Irele/Agbabu bitumen project would be one of his priorities.
He blamed successive administrations at the federal level for their neglect of the multi-billionaire project.
Buhari spoke to a crowd of CPC supporters and sympathisers at Adegbenle Hall in Akure, as part of his presidential campaign tour.
At the campaign was the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam el-Rufai, and other party chieftains.
The CPC presidential candidate assured the people of his determination to make the project a reality.
He said it was unfortunate that the project, which was initiated in 1907, had not been given attention, despite its economic value.
Buhari, who was represented by his running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, said the project was rated the second largest in the world, with its over 42 billion barrels of bitumen deposits.
He said his administration would address the problems in the Niger Delta through genuine reconciliation and execution of developmental projects.
Buhari said he would put in place measures to foster unity between the people of the region and the government.
The CPC presidential candidate said the Niger Delta, as the major source of the nation’s economy, deserved the government’s attention in infrastructure and human empowerment
He urged the people to vote for him and other candidates of his party in the elections to improve their lives.
Buhari urged religious leaders not to relent in their prayers for the success of the polls.
He told the electorate to guard their votes jealously as this was the only way to prevent electoral malpractices.
The CPC presidential candidate said this would also pave the way for the emergence of credible candidates next month.
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Buhari promises to exploit bitumen in Ondo