Transportation

Abiodun Lauds FG’s Plan to Link Industrial Clusters by Rail 

By Web News 340

…says resuscitation of Ibadan-Abuja narrow gauge will boost trade, commerce 

By Abimbola Bamgbose 

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said plans by the Federal Government to connect industrial zones in the country through rail lines, if successfully implemented, would reduce pressure on the nation’s highways  and prolong their lifespan.

The governor also noted that the resuscitation of the narrow gauge from Ibadan to Abuja, when completed, would allow investors to wheel cargo from Lagos to Kano State and improve trade and commerce.

Prince Abiodun stated this when he received the Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali and some commissioners for transportation across the country who were in the state for the 18th edition of the National Council on Transportation.

Governor Abiodun commended the minister for the bold steps he is taking to reposition the transportation sector of the country, noting that the plan by the Ministry of Transportation to resuscitate the Kaduna to Kano line would further open up the country for commerce.

“I am very glad about the laudable achievements under your watch, the initiatives that you’re championing, the intervention you have sought from the Chinese to resuscitate the Kaduna to Kano line so that you will now have the connection, all the way from Lagos, Ogun, Ibadan, Abuja, Kaduna and Kano.

“You admitted to me that you are thinking of how to connect our industrial zones so you can de-emphasis vehicular transportation whilst connecting the Badagry port to the rail line that will connect with the Lagos to Kano line, also thinking of a line that will go from Lekki port to Ijebu-Ode and connect to Kajola.

“This is indeed very laudable thinking. This is what you see when you put people who have the requisite experience and capacity in positions of authority, ” he said.

The governor added that his administration, upon realizing the importance of the transportation sector, quickly created a ministry that would see to the running of the sector in the state.

“We understood the importance of the Ministry of Transportation when I assumed office. We didn’t have that ministry in Ogun State. We had the Ministry of Works, and for some strange reason, my predecessor assumed that the commissioner for works could carry out the responsibilities of the commissioner of transportation.

“We are a testimonial for the transportation sector. We value that sector, we’ve taken transportation very seriously,” he said.

Abiodun said his administration is deeply committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of renewed hope, adding that the state under his watch would continue to put the people first.

Earlier in his remarks, Senator Alkali noted that the National Council on Transportation would address the National Transportation Policy, which does not exist at the moment.

He said that the ministry has submitted a draft recommendation for stakeholders to make their input for onward presentation and deliberation by the Federal Executive Council.

Senator Alkali disclosed that the Federal Government would soon commence the railway project from Ibadan to Abuja and Kaduna to Kano, adding that the ministry has started the evacuation of about 90 containers daily at the APMT terminal to Ibadan.

According to him, the ministry would start freighting of goods by the end of the present quarter from the APMT terminal to Kano State.

He said that the ministry is currently in high-level discussions with foreign investors to see how the transportation sector can be fixed.

“In December last year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Vice President to lead a delegation to attend a conference in Beijing.

“The Vice President was privileged to hold a bilateral discussion with the Chinese President. Among the issues raised was in respect of our railway modernization project.

“The project was segmented initially. From Lagos to Ibadan was completed and put into use, and Abuja to Kaduna, Warri to Itakpe. We are looking at the possibility of continuing the project from Ibadan to Abuja and from Kaduna to Kano,” he said.

Alkali acknowledged Governor 

Abiodun for the great work he has started in the state, saying that he has written his name in gold.

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Transportation

President Buhari Orders Link of All Ports to Rail Network

By Web News 761

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the 326 KM Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line for commercial operation as well as the ancillary facilities yard, at the recently named Goodluck Jonathan Railway Complex in Agbor (Owa-Oyibu), Delta State.

At the virtual opening of the rail line linking Itakpe to Warri, President Buhari directed the Federal Ministry of Transportation to link all the nation’s ports of origin and destination – Apapa, Tin Can, Warri, Onne, Calabar Ports- to the rail network in order to significantly improve overall transportation and economic capacities.

The President declared that his administration recognised the importance of the railway mode of transportation as a vital backbone to support industrialization and economic development.

He said he had approved the prioritization of viable railway routes for either new rail lines or the reconstruction and rehabilitation of some, to achieve effective and efficient train services supporting the country’s trade and commerce.

President Buhari recalled that to further give recognition to Nigerian sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves at nation building and development , 11 railway stations and railway village were named after some deserving citizens.

He listed them as follows: Adamu Attah Station, Itakpe; Abubakar Olusola Saraki Station, Ajaokuta; Augustus Aikhomu Station, Itogbo; George Innih Station, Agenebode; Anthony Enahoro Station, Uromi; Tom Ikimi Station, Ekehen and Samuel Ogbemudia Station, Igbanke.

Others are Goodluck Jonathan Railway Complex, Agbor, Owa-Oyibu; David Ejoor Station, Abraka; Michael Ibru Station, Opara; Alfred Rewane Station, Ujevwu; and Michael Akhigbe Railway Village, Agbor.

The President enjoined all Nigerians in the transportation industry, especially the railway sub-sector, to continue to support Government in its stride to achieve other railway infrastructure projects.

He also enlisted the support of all at realizing this milestone of a functional and full-fledged central railway, after more than 30 years during which the project has suffered several setbacks and false starts.

He implore those who work on the line to uphold maintenance and safety culture necessary for long-lasting service in this difficult terrain.

President Buhari said projections indicate that the commencement of operation of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail line will account for close to one million passengers annually and also unleash approximately 3.5 million tonnes capacity of freight annually that will service all off-takers on the corridor and beyond.

Congratulating the Minister of Transportation Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and his team on successfully completing the project, the President recognized the host communities on this corridor for their patience during the long wait of over 30 years for the realization of the project.

He also commended the host communities for their cooperation during the completion works by the Federal Government.

He assured Nigerians that his administration would continue, within available resources, to judiciously connect commercial and industrial hubs to boost trade, generate wealth and create employment.

Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa commended President Buhari’s bi-partisan approach to governance, saying ‘‘it is a thing of pride and joy that this rail line was completed under your watch.

Okowa urged the private sector to take advantage of the historic corridor by establishing investments that will create jobs for locals, curb youth restiveness and stem the tide of criminality.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki congratulated the President on the feat of completing the project, saying it is quite fortuitous that few days to the country’s 60th independence celebration, the President has achieved the completion of this critical infrastructure.

The Edo Governor appealed to the minister of transportation to extend the rail line to the industrial park in Benin City to facilitate the movement of goods to the northern part of the country.

In his remarks, Minister of Transport Mr Rotimi Amaechi said the project was fully funded by the Nigerian government, adding that 8 of the 10 stations are in the Niger-Delta/ South South region of the country.

According to the Transportation Minister, the project started under the military era in 1987 but ‘‘underwent protracted hiccups, prolonged abandonment and massive vandalisation,’’ before it was resuscitated by the Buhari administration.

FRCN, Abuja