FG restates commitment to Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail Construction

Chinazor Megbolu |

The Federal Government of Nigeria has restated its commitment towards construction of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project.

The government had on Thursday disclosed that the axis of the Eastern rail line construction would commence after the Lagos-Ibadan rail project is delivered in December.

The Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project would, however, get the ratification and nod of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) before it begins.

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi in a statement issued by his aide, Mr. Taiye Edeni, noted that the federal government also plans to simultaneously carry out the construction of the Kano-Maradi section and the Ibadan-Kano angle of the Lagos to Kano rail line.

According to Amaechi; “we have sent to the cabinet the request for approval of two railway contracts, Port Harcourt-Bonny to Maiduguri.

“If that is awarded, that will be the next assignment for the Ministry of Transportation and also the Kano-Maradi line, which passes through Kano, Dutse, Kazaure, Daura, Katsina, Jibiya, Maradi”.

He also explained that a borrowing plan to fund Lagos to Calabar rail construction contract was being discussed.

Amaechi further maintained that significant progress had not been made towards ensuring that the construction of the Apapa Station of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line is done, buttressing that its because the development began not long ago.

Recall that the Minister on Wednesday gave contractors handling the Lagos-Ibadan rail project a deadline to complete the project by December 2020.