APC Defends FG’s Rising Loans Profile
- Insists critical infrastructure major beneficiary
- Slams PDP’s Govs for lacking governance knowledge
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says critical infrastructure development across Nigeria is the major beneficiary of the Federal Government’s borrowings that have remained on the rise over the years.
Defending the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s seeming knack for loans, the ruling party explained that the packages are being invested wisely for the overall good of the country’s socio-economic development and growth going forward.
The Party, which reacted to allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors’ Forum that the growing debt profile could lead to bankruptcy, berated the main opposition party for obviously lacking what it described as a proper understanding of government’s spending.
In a statement released by its National Caretaker Committee Secretary, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, the Party explained that the loans are being judiciously utilised, and not ending up in private pockets, reminiscent of the 16 years when PDP held sway as the party in power.
The APC Scribe said the allegation by PDP shows the Party’s desperation as a sinking platform struggling to remain afloat by clutching on any available straw, noting that the opposition party is clearly uncomfortable and in a precarious situation given the storm of defections within its fold.
According to him; “The sinking PDP is panicking due to its dwindling fortunes as the All Progressives Congress (APC) registered members hit over 40 million, with PDP members, including governors leaving the party in droves and joining the APC.
“While the PDP continues to clutch on straws as it sinks into political oblivion, the APC-led federal government and states governed by the APC are busy providing critical infrastructure, expanding access to education, providing health facilities, and economically empowering citizens.”
He slammed the PDP governors for indulging in frequent weekend jamborees, where they waste scarce resources at a time some of them have not been able to sort out workers’ salaries and pensions in their respective states.
Specifically referring to the case of Benue and Taraba states, Senator Akpanudoedehe said the PDP is not only facing a crisis of confidence but has unfortunately failed to provide credible opposition expected in a democracy.
Also taunting the PDP for its legacy of abandoned projects across the country, Senator Akpanudoedehe said; “Perhaps, the PDP is referring to the litany of abandoned projects it left behind all over the country despite spending 16 years in power and receiving unprecedented earnings when crude oil sold for as high as $150 per barrel.
“The President Buhari government from inception took a good, progressive, patriotic and apolitical decision to complete the abandoned projects and Nigerians have been the ultimate beneficiaries.
“In addition, huge legacy projects being executed by the APC-led administration include the Second Niger Bridge which is set to be completed in 2022, the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, the Abuja-Akwangwa-Lafiya-Makurdi highway which is being reconstructed and dualised.
“The initiation, completion, and commissioning of the Lagos-Ibadan twin-track railway line is another of such landmark projects delivered by the APC administration, even as more are underway.”
Noting that “The PDP Federal Government failed to complete the Abuja-Kaduna railway line, which the President Buhari government completed and commissioned for the benefit of Nigerians”, the ruling party further stated that; “PDP needs to be reminded that it was because of its failures that Nigerians rejected it twice, in 2015 and 2019.
“This loss is obviously still haunting the PDP and has caused disarray within its ranks and created irreconcilable divisions. For a party that failed in its 16-year governance and as an opposition party, if the PDP believes that Nigerians are ready to place the administration of the country in its hand, then the PDP is a victim of its folly.
“At this point, PDP’s rudderless leadership should deal with the crisis of confidence it suffers. Our democracy deserves a credible opposition which the PDP has woefully failed to provide. Other parties must now rise to the occasion and play the crucial role of opposition.”
The APC maintained that “the task of clearing the PDP rot is not a walk in the park considering the level of decay our nation sunk into under the watch of the PDP and the current efforts of PDP leaders to slow down our progress as a nation.”
“However, this government, under the capable hands of President Buhari is focused and courageous enough to lead our country to its deserved place”, the statement said
