Alhaji Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Minister of Transport said on Monday that all obstacles to the resumption of full operations on the Abuja -Kaduna railway route has been removed.
Operations on the rail corridor was suspended sequel to the attack by terrorists on an Abuja-Kaduna bound train, in March, who also Abducted about 168 passengers, many of who paid millions of naira in ransom to secure to their freedom.
The minister, who addressed the press in the company of Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohamed on the Scorecard of the President Mohammadu Buhari administration in the Transportation sector, also declared that the safety and security of lives of users of the rail corridor has been prioritized, saying that constant monitoring, 24/7, all -year- round surveillance activity has been mounted on the route to forestall a repeat of the ugly incident.
He said,all activities on the stretch of rail up to Kaduna is available on monitors to the President, Director of State Services, other security agencies and Transport Minister at the press of a botton, adding that administration has equally ensured that non of those abducted following the attack is still in captivity.
He said these achievement could not been possible without the support President Buhari, who he said has also left indelible marks in the sector , in infrastructural provision, advancement of policy as well as security of the nation’s maritime borders.
In the railway infrastructure he said:”Within the period under review, the moribund commercial railway services in Nigeria were resuscitated by the administration ofPresidentMuhammadu
Buhari, locomotives and coaches were
procured and others refurbished the Abuja – Kaduna rail corridor commercial operation was flagged off in July 2016,the Warri – Itakpe corridor started commercial operation in April 2021,while the Lagos – Ibadan double track
standard gauge began commercial
operation in June 2021.
“In bridging the infrastructural gaps in the rail sector, the Warri – Itakpe standard gauge lines were constructed, remodelled and put to
commercial use.The Port Harcourt – Aba railway corridor was constructed and rehabilitated as well as the Lagos – Kano cargo and passenger services.Other railway corridors under construction include, Kaduna – Kano line; Kano – Maradi and the Port
Harcourt – Maiduguri lines”.
He disclosed that the administration has advanced action in the local manufacture and assembly of rail wagons in Ogun, expressing hope that the move will save scarce foreign exchange for the country.
Other areas he said the administration made giant strides include the construction of ports and provision ports infrastructure , stating that the Lekki Deep Sea Port is almost ready for commissioning.
Other areas, he listed include the Inland Waterways where he said massive investments in river and dry ports across the country would boost commercial and create jobs.
In his remarks, Alhaji Lai Mohammed maintained that All Progressives Congress (APC) government of president Buhari has made landmark achievement to campaign and seek the mandate of Nigerians again in 2023.
He described as absurd the claim by detractors that the APC government has not done much saying that the “Buhari administration is spoilt for choice in
celebrating its achievements”
“We have a lot of achievements to highlight and campaign with. Again we are spoilt for choice because of the sheer number of the achievements. And that’s why we have drawn up a tight schedule of appearances for Honourable Ministers to tell Nigerians the
achievements in their various sectors” he said
