The minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said the Abuja-Kaduna rail project is 100 per cent completed and will be launched in May.
Mr. Amaechi announced this at Idu, Abuja, on Thursday, while inspecting the project along with the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company.
According to him, before the launch by President Muhammadu Buhari, the rail would be test-run in March, adding that during that period, passengers will board for free.
“The essence of my tour is to enable us assess whether we are ready for commercial activities and I think we are. I will be travelling from Abuja to Kaduna tomorrow through the rail.
“In March, they should start the test-run of the rail services for free, then the proper commercial activity will start in May, where we expect the president to flag-off the use of coaches,” he said.
He said N150 billion would be used to execute the national rail project, with another N60 billion for the Lagos-Kano standard gauge and yet another N60 billion for the Lagos-Calabar project.
“What we are doing is implementation of what we met in office. We are not among those who will abandon good ideas.
“If we see an idea that is good, we will adopt it. The Lagos-Kano project was awarded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and we are flying with it.
“The Lagos-Calabar project was awarded by former President Goodluck Jonathan and we are also flying with it. What we are doing is implementing those projects that have not been implemented for so many years,” the minister said.
He further said Idu, the location of the rail, was too far from the city centre, adding that the contractor should make provisions for temporary stations in the city.
Mr. Amaechi suggested that since the Abuja light rail project was yet to commence, the tracks could be used to pick passengers from the city centre to Kaduna.
“The Abuja light rail is expected to start from Abuja and de-board passengers at Idu from where such passengers will move to Kaduna but since the Abuja light rail is not ready, we shall use their tracks to continue to pick passengers from Abuja until they are ready and then we will disengage the temporary facility.
“The role of the station is to convey passengers to Idu, where they will be transferred to the national rail line to proceed to Kaduna,” he explained.
He said the only challenge with the project was the fencing aspect.
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Amaechi launching a railway? Nigeria now is animal Farm.This is a man having a heavy allegation of corruption against him.Well he allegedly used some of the money to finance apc election.so,Is this that change?It is dad.Na one chance these apc people are
ReplyDeleteWailing wailer. Just appreciate good thing for once. Don't allow your gullible hatred to consume u. Don't enter the train cos ameachi is the launcher
DeleteMumu,Were! He will enter because it was built by Jonathan. You are a brainless idiot!.
Delete@anonymous 7:14am, don't you know that what APC and the so called Amechi is claiming glory for was built by Jonathan? Pls can u specifically point out any project been embarked upon by APC government since assumption of office other than public lies?
DeleteCommissioning another project by Goodluck. Am glad to hear u say one good thing abt Jonathan today. Due to lack of experience in writing a budjet, they are yet to start anything. That's their excuse. PMB. Pls wake up.
ReplyDeleteNo matter the criticism, Jonathan landmark can never be erased. He has, at least, set a standard for the coming regimes to follow. Well, as events are unfolding...
ReplyDeleteGEJ had all these planned out..kai I love GEJ
ReplyDeleteAnother of GEJ's accolades!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what some people smoke...You can read. Someone is saying instead of abandoning previous government projects as was the case then, they moved with them to make sure they are completed and put to use, you are busy trying to rubbish a minister that even his state has no problem with.
ReplyDeletePlease, appreciate effort and for your information, it is not GEJ effort, he said some are Obasanjo and some are GEJ. Please, stop politicizing everything
Anonymous 11:14 am, please tell us from which budget the completed rail line was appropriated, if you don't agree that GEJ should be appreciated for the project. As events are unfolding..
ReplyDelete