Reprieve in sight as Buhari orders link of ports with rails.

Segun Oladipupo |

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday ordered the Ministry of Transportation to link all the nation’s ports of origin and destination to Apapa, Tincan, Warri and Calabar ports to the rail network.

Buhari, who gave the order during the inauguration of the 326 KM Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line, stated that linking the ports to rail network would significantly improve overall transportation and economic capabilities of the nation.

The rail network which is solely for commercial operation as well as the ancillary facilities yard, is located at the recently named Goodluck Jonathan Railway Complex in Agbor (Owa-Oyibu), Delta State.

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.

Femi Adeshina, spokesman of the President in a tweet said, “After more than three decades’ delay, President @MBuhari today 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”