How will you make sure infrastructure projects are distributed fairly across the different regions of Nigeria?

Q18: Transport fares are becoming unaffordable, while people in cities such as Lagos spend hours in traffic. What will you do to improve public transportation and reduce transport costs? Answer: My plan is to accelerate urban mass transit rail lines, expand Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, develop inland waterway passenger ferries, and lower transport operational costs by subsidizing local fuel refining inputs. Q19: Communities are repeatedly promised roads and other infrastructure, but projects are abandoned or deteriorate shortly after construction. How will you improve project completion, quality and accountability? Answer: A $25 billion private-sector-led Infrastructure Development Fund will be created, enforcing mandatory third-party engineering audits and releasing funds based on verified milestones to stop project abandonment. Q20: How will you ensure that infrastructure investment reaches rural communities and is distributed fairly across Nigeria rather than concentrated in major cities? Answer: I will make sure the budget allocation model will use population and agricultural productivity benchmarks-rather than urban density alone-to guarantee equitable infrastructure funding across every geopolitical zone.

Secondly, it is a big boost to businesses. Aba is one of Southeast's industrial nerve centres. The other is the Nnewi axis. Inadequate power infrastructure is identified as the most problematic factor for doing business in Nigeria. More than 70% of firms in Nigeria use generators. Thirdly, the project is delivered by the private sector - and an indigenous one to boot! It demonstrates the resilience of the private sector despite all the business environment issues. It also demonstrates the capacity of the local private sector to deliver on such huge and complex projects. Why does this excite me? I have all along been concerned that: 1. The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has over the years suffered from inadequate investments, failure of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. 2. Nigeria’s core infrastructure stock is very low, estimated at 35-40% of GDP, below the international benchmark of 70% and below South Africa 87%, Indonesia 70%, China 76% and India 58%.

3. The finances required to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap are in the region of US$100 billion per annum - over the next 30 years. Nigeria does not have the resources to provide all of its infrastructure needs without sacrificing investments in education, health, and other social services. It should be remembered that Nigeria struggles to budget no more than US$30 billion annually. For these reasons, I have been an ardent advocate of private sector presence in Nigeria. I have all along advocated for a private sector friendly business environment so we could leverage its enormous resources, including finance, skills, and technology. I doubt if the Abia state government would have been able to execute this mega project with the resources at its disposal. My policy document outlines how Nigeria could prioritize investments to increase the stock and improve the quality of economic and social infrastructure across the country. We believe that narrowing the enormous gap that exists between the demand and supply of key infrastructure facilities in Nigeria is key to improving the competitiveness of our businesses, opening new economic and entrepreneurial opportunities, and promoting enterprise growth.

4.Efficient Institutions will make all the difference. MDAs must develop the technical capacity to perform their functions efficiently. Excessive rigidity and burdensome administrative requirements delay decision making and deter investors. The Investment Promotion Agency should operate a one-stop-shop to simplify complex administrative processes, reducing barriers to investment. By streamlining these steps, the one-stop-shop will lower corruption risks and transaction costs for investors. 5.Improved supply and quality of infrastructure as it is the backbone of sustainable development. Inadequate infrastructure has been identified as the most problematic factor for doing business in Nigeria. Prioritization and implementation of critical and strategic infrastructure projects will improve the business environment, reduce transportation costs, increase access to markets and connect communities. The development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure including water facilities, roads, power etc will, not only create an enabling environment for industries BUT also make Taraba more conducive for habitation.

5. Expand access to digital infrastructure. Digital infrastructure will be treated as a basic public service, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the modern economy, create jobs, and access opportunities. ● Expand internet access nationwide ● Introduce a Smart City Standards Policy, mandating fiber-readiness and digital security in all new developments 6. Make data affordable as a basic need for participation in today's economy. Treat access to data as essential infrastructure, ensuring that Nigerians can learn, work, and connect without being priced out of the digital economy. ● Work with telecom providers to reduce the cost of data through competition, pricing transparency, and regulatory reform ● Provide an enabling environment for internet infrastructure to lower costs and improve access across urban and rural areas 7. Prepare Nigerians for the age of AI. Anticipate the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs by equipping workers with new skills and putting protections in place for those at risk of displacement. ● Recognize AI-driven job disruption as a national economic and labour priority ● Launch large-scale reskilling and upskilling programmes focused on digital, technical, and future-ready skills

9. Develop an Industrial Clustering Policy and Special Economic Zones. Industries will be able to operate with shared infrastructure and easier access to export markets, reducing the cost of doing business and improving competitiveness. ● Build a regional industrial strategy that leverages the strengths of different parts of Nigeria ● Adopt and scale Industry Champion models at the national, regional and state levels. 10.Support innovation, startups, and scale-ups. We will strengthen Nigeria's innovation ecosystem through targeted support. ● Provide Research and Development (R&D) grants, incubators, and export platforms to help Nigerian businesses grow and compete globally. The ADC will: 1. Ensure macroeconomic stability and restore confidence in Nigeria's economy. We will pursue fiscally-disciplined, transparent, and people-focused economic management that stabilizes prices, manages debt responsibly, and supports sustainable growth without placing undue hardship on Nigerians.