A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has noted that with the completion of the track-laying on the Port Harcourt – Aba Eastern Narrow-Gauge Rail line “coupled with other completed and functional lines, prospects are high that the prices of commodities would reduce.”
He added that “when it eventually begins passenger and freight operations towards the first quarter of 2024 as pegged by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigerians would heave a sigh of relief.
In a statement issued Friday in Port Harcourt, Chief Eze said Nigerians were beginning to appreciate the determination of a former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, “in crafting a solid master plan for rail transportation in the country.”
“Amaechi’s watchword is excellence and whatever he sets out to achieve he goes all out for it because the result will impress even the worst of critics,” he said via the statement.
The statement indicated further that “given the high cost of living and general hardship orchestrated by the fuel subsidy removal, rail transportation has emerged as the best alternative for passenger and freight conveyance to reduce the high cost of basic commodities.”
He noted that during the Christmas and new year celebrations, railway train services were made free for passengers from Iddo to Kajola; Ido Iddo to Ijoko; Kajoala to Apapa; Apapa to Kajoala; Lagos to Ibadan and Ibadan to Lagos.
He also said those that benefited from the free train ride had reasons to “say a word or two of gratitude to the former transportation minister who made train services possible in and for Nigerians at these hard times.”
Eze commended CCECC for “staying true to the terms of the contract,” and thumbed up the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Ministry of Transportation for “supervising every bit and stage of the project to ensure its completion.”
The statement called on the federal government to redouble efforts in the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of insecurity that has limited the full operation of train services across the country.
“Nigerians will continue to be grateful to Amaechi for the foundation he laid for the good of the country through enduring legacies.”
