By Evelyn Omotoye
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President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the people of Ondo State that the natural resources the state is endowed with including bitumen will be fully harnessed for the development of the state,  if given the chance to rule the country the second term.

Buhari gave the assurance at a meeting with traditional rulers across the state at GPM Plaza in Oba-Ile yesterday, during his visit to the state in continuation of his presidential campaign.

The president stated that the Federal Government will collaborate with the state government and give the necessary support for the bitumen exploration, while fully tapping into other resources readily available in the state.

He assured that the deep seaport project would commence as soon as arrangements are made to open up the state’s coastal area to become an industrial hub for job creation and economic boom.

Highlighting some of his administration achievements in the last three and half years, he said Ondo State has not been left out in its programmes, policies and projects to reposition the state.

He listed other plans of his government for the state to include railway lines in Akure and electrification of towns in the state

While stating that his administration is working towards ensuring that life becomes better for the citizenry, Buhari maintained that his government would not rest on its oars in putting in place infrastructural facilities, reviving the nation’s economy, fighting insecurity and corruption to make Nigeria a better place if given  a second term.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), while welcoming the president and his entourage at the event stated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) led Federal government has enjoyed the support of traditional rulers in the state.

Akeredolu who thanked the president for his various social interventions in the state, assured that the direct beneficiaries at the grassroots will continue to support him in his re-election bid.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman, Council of Obas and Olukare of Ikare, HRM Oba Akadiri Momoh welcomed the president and his entourage to the state, urging him to pay adequate attention to the requests of the people of Ondo State.

The Olukare had listed their requests to include the execution of the deep sea port project, electrification of Akoko communities which has been in the dark for long, dualisation of some federal roads in the state and exploitation of bitumen among other natural resources, saying they are key to the development of the state.

He assured the president that the traditional rulers are ready to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in their various communities.

In separate interviews, the traditional rulers including, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, HRM Oba Victor Kiladejo, Agadagba of Arogbo Ijaw-ibe, HIM Pere Zaccheus Egbunu and Olowa of Igbara Oke, HRM Oba Adefarakanmi Agbede, expressed their readiness to ensure peaceful conduct of their subjects in their respective domains before, during and after the elections, wishing President Buhari success in his re-election bid.