President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that the Federal Government would continue with the railway project by the second quarter of 2016 to enhance economic development.
Buhari, who gave the assurance at the maiden Presidential Media Chat in Abuja, said the decision would alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians in getting fuel.
“By second quarter of 2016, we will take the Chinese contractors back to continue with the railway project,’’ the president said.
On fuel subsidy, Buhari said the government was working hard to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians to make fuel available at affordable price.
He said government’s priority was to get the refineries working at optimum level, adding that past administrations had failed to maintain them and the pumping stations.
“We will not be talking about subsidy by the end of first quarter next year.
“I hope that our refineries will be working, we cannot do it overnight but that is our priority now to get them working.
On the 2016 budget, Buhari said it would address unemployment in the country.
He said a lot had changed in the country, especially with the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA).
In addition, he said that the reforms done so far by his administration to merge 42 to 24 ministries would save some money to implement developmental projects.
“All these things will take time; we said during our campaign that we will diversify the economy to agriculture and solid minerals.
“ We are hoping that these sectors will generate jobs from those sectors and our budget has shown that we will focus on those sectors.
“Also, we have focused on education and other key sectors of the economy.
“Some investors are ready to come and invest in those sectors but our problem is to secure this country first,’’ the president said.
According to him, the government has taken cognisance of the countries that have indicated interest in investing in solid minerals.
He further said that his administration would develop the rail transport to enhance economic development.
He urged civil servants to be prepared to make sacrifices, adding that “you can legitimise the culture of change by being efficient in service’’.