We’ll link state capitals, commercial centres with railway lines – Buhari

By AbdulRaheem Aodu, Kaduna and Adeola Tukuru,

 

Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged federal government’s commitment to link the 36 state capitals and FCT, Abuja and all commercial and major agriculture production centres with functional railway lines to boost socio-economic development of the country.
The President also warned customs and port officials not to frustrate business activities at the seven inland dry ports in major parts of the country, noting that the full complement of the federal inland dry port will reduce congestion at the seaport and traffic gridlock in the port complex.
Buhari added that the cost of transportation and therefore cost of doing business will also be reduced.
Speaking at Rigasa, Kaduna yesterday while commissioning two new locomotives and 10 additional standard gauge coaches to ply the Kaduna -Abuja route, Buhari said the launch has further reinstated his government’s resolve to vigorously pursue development in Nigeria through the implementation of the 25 year strategic railway master plan.
“Let me reassure Nigerians that we are strongly committed to linking all major commercial and production centers as well as state capitals with railway system, as a way of bringing about rapid socio economic development and improving the lives of our people as well as encourage national integration.
This is not only a statement of intentions, but a benchmark which we are using to measure the performance of our administration.
Our resolve to develop our railway system to a world-class standard remains top priority.
“Additional critical projects to include the rail line from Lagos to Calabar, which branches off to Benin, Agbor and Onitsha, Port Harcourt to Maiduguri standard guage rail line which branches off to Owerri, Awka, Abakaliki, Yola and Damaturu and Kano to Kazaure, Daura, Katsina, Jibiya to link with Maradi in Niger Republic as part of regional railway interconnectivity.
Other important projects which have been approved is the procurement of more locomotives, coaches, workshops and equipment that will be used for new standard gauge lines.
“By way of encouraging private sector participation in our railway development, negotiations for concession of the narrow gauge railways with a consortium, is in progress.
We are looking forward to a more efficient train service on the narrow gauge lines to be driven by the private sector,” he said.

Leave a Reply