I won’t embark on politically-motivated projects as minister – Akpabio

A ministerial nominee, Godswill Akpabio, says he will do his best in any portfolio assigned to him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, disclosed this in an interview with journalists after his nomination was the Senate on Wednesday.

The minister-designate expressed his readiness to work with the president in taking Nigeria to the next level in agriculture and industrialisation.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Akpabio, George Akume and Emeka Nwajuiba, being members of the National Assembly at one time or the other, were excused from the usual questioning in the exercise which began on Wednesday.

Mr Akpabio who was the Minority Leader of the 8th Assembly between 2015 and 2019 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.

“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. Whenever 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.’’

On his current election petition before the tribunal, he said: “If the case in the tribunal goes well, it means APC has more senators.

“However, it is not about me being a senator or minister. It is about the people we represent,’’ he said.

(NAN)