FG Fully Committed towards Funding Railway Projects in the country - Minister

BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU

Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali has reiterated Federal Government’s full commitment towards funding of the railway projects in the country.

Alkali gave the assurance on Friday when he paid on-the-spot assessment of the Railway slippers factory at Ishiagu, Ebonyi State.

The Minister, however, expressed concern at the slow pace of production at the plant, charging the Chinese company to gear up so as to deliver the project in record time in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.

According to him, the railway system would play huge role in the socio-economic development of the country, adding, “Revitalization of the railway transportation system in Nigeria through standard gauge construction and narrow gauge is the flagship project of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration. This project has been the mostly marketed by the transport ministry with huge capital investment.”

Senator Alkali told newsmen who cornered him for an interview at the Ishiagu plant, that the railway project on completion would open up the hinterland, provide impetus for foreign and domestic trade, agricultural and industrial development as well as stimulating rapid urbanization.

“Asked on the specification and deadline to compete the project, the Minister explained: “Contract for the standard gauge was awarded by the past administration so when we took over we were trying to sort out the financing. There is no way you can start a project without making all the arrangements for the finances.

“Government is serious and committed to developing all the projects in the country. We have just finished the inspection of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line and are trying to start the operation in April.

The Minister who expressed displeasure with the pace of work on the rail lines said that he learned that the company might by grappling with paucity of funds and promised that something should be done because the reconstruction is aimed at reaching Enugu State.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.