Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said he is ready to help President Muhammadu Buhari, take Nigeria to the ‘next level’ by shutting the door on those wishing to leave the country.
Akpabio whose name is on the president’¢ ministerial list, said this during an interview with newsmen after his screening by the Senate on Wednesday.
He expressed his readiness for the task ahead, while also promising to open doors for people coming into the country.
Akpabio said, “I will do my best to help the president to take Nigeria to the ‘next level’. By this, we are talking about minimising banditry, increasing our foreign direct investments and putting Nigeria on the threshold of industrialisation.”
More so, he added that, “It is worrisome that many manufacturing companies have left the country. In Kano alone, more than 15 textile companies have left due to issue of decay in infrastructure.
“We will close the doors of people exiting Nigeria and open doors to make people come in especially the investors. I will work with the government on statistics so as to plan because a nation that fails to plan always plans to fail.
“We must know the number of people coming out of our universities and the numbers of children that are being born in our hospitals, to enable us make proper plans.
“As a minister, I’m ready to work and do my best in any ministry it pleases Mr President to assign me. I will represent Nigerians very well now at a larger scale as a minister. I will not change. Wherever I find myself, I will leave the people better than I meet them,’’ he said.
When asked about his opinion on the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the former lawmaker said, “it is important to note first that the place is an interventionist agency.
“Peace is extremely important there for the benefit of the residents, companies doing businesses there and government at all levels. I won’t engage myself in politically motivated projects that have no bearing on the lives of the people.”
