President Muhammadu Buhari may have silenced Rivers Governor
Nyesom Wike who has been jeering and taunting at Transport Minister, Rotimi
Amaechi, for not linking Rivers with rail, while building one from Kano that
goes to Maradi in Niger Republic.
Wike reportedly even threatened to resign if Amaechi can
point to any project brought to Rivers since he became a minister five years
ago.
Well, Amaechi can point to the Port Harcourt International
Airport, abandoned by Wike’s PDP, but which has been completed under Amaechi’s
watch.
But today, President Buhari dealt Wike, the ultimate punch
during the virtual commissioning of the 326 KM Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line.
Buhari directed the Federal Ministry of Transportation to
link all the nation’s ports of origin and destination – Apapa, Tin Can, Warri,
Onne in Rivers, Calabar Ports- to the nation’s rail network.
The president expressed optimism that the rail network project,
when carried out, would significantly improve overall transportation and
economic capacities.
He declared that his administration recognised the
importance of the railway mode of transportation as a vital backbone to support
industrialization and economic development.
”Accordingly, I have 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.
”The Railway Infrastructure that I have the honour to
commission today is the rail line from Itakpe via the steel town complex of
Ajaokuta to Warri, and is an important link for the country’s economy as the
central rail line.
”This Government has also approved to link this line further
from Itakpe to Abuja, thereby, connecting the Northern Zone of the country and
also extending southwards to link the Warri Ports,” he said.
The president expressed confidence that the project, which
serves as a vital link of South-South geopolitical zones of the country to the
Northern zones, would be completed during the tenure of this administration.
”It will link people across the cultural divides and expand
the frontier of trade and commerce, which will lead to better standards of
living for our citizens,” he said.
While congratulating the Minister of Transportation Rotimi
Amaechi and his team on successfully completing the project, the president
recognised 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.
Earlier, the Minister of Transportation, Amaechi had
revealed that the project was fully funded by the Nigerian government, adding
that eight of the ten stations are in the Niger-Delta/ South South region of
the country.
”There is no loan on this project, it was funded from the
budget and I had the directive of the President to go and revive it and
complete it as soon as possible,’’ he said.
According to the 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.(NAN)
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This is a welcome developement. But i will want to belive, that its not becos wike has taken a swip on the adminstration on the rail line to nije that this is coming. if its genue then the project will see the light of day but if not it will not sailthrough. Hon. Amechi pls sir put ur name in cold by bringing it home
ReplyDeleteNonsense, what is Silence there, Buhari silence Wike
ReplyDeleteThis is the worse write up from a drunkard. Admin or who ever is in charge please endeavor to scream post made cos this writer is directionless and bias.
ReplyDeleteUseless post
Good for the country and the south in particular
ReplyDelete#Buhari is working
ReplyDeleteThis truly is a good development, it will reduce the difficulty faced by the people from that axis in transporting their farm produce.
ReplyDeleteAkwa Ibom, the highest oil producer is excluded in the railway project. What a cheat!
DeleteEnter your comment...I am confused about this write up. Is Buhari alive to congratulate AMAECHI?
ReplyDeleteAt least let South East region be mentioned in this railway project
ReplyDeleteWike woke u guys from sleep....promise n fail administration...
ReplyDeleteBuhari should come and reconstruct the deplorable south East highways before talking about railways
ReplyDelete