Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said that the Abuja -Kaduna double gauged line railway will be completed in 2016.
Amaechi also reteirated the Federal Government’s determination to revamp the railway sub sector for national integration by encouraging mass transit of passengers and goods across the geographical regions of the country.
The minister, who stated this during the press conference organised shortly after the conclusion of his facility visits of parastatals in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, said that railway sector has suffered neglect due to poor policy initiation and implementation by previous administrations in the country.
A statement signed by Taishobajo Kehinde from the press unit of the Ministry of Transport also quoted Amaechi as noting that the development has led to the proliferation of privately owned haulage services that caused chaotic situation on the nation’s roads.
He said, “ The immediate impact will be the reduction of haulage of heavy cargo by road for increased life span”.
The minister further expressed optimistic about the success of the policy thrust of the new administration in the sector, adding that the movement of the petroleum products by rail would be introduced in 2016 .
The minister further explained that construction of new rail lines and rehabilitation of old railway lines would generate over 250, 000 direct jobs and more jobs with multi-plier effect on the economy.
On the issue of maritime sector, Amaechi said that the sector contribution to the nation’s GDP is appreciable, assuring that the government would implement policies that encourage private sector ‘s participation.
He also stated government would streamline all agencies in the maritime sector for effective and efficient performance to meet the expectations of all stakeholders.
Speaking on the Aviation sector, the Minister stated that the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the relevant parastatals and agencies have drawn up short term plans that are currently being implemented of which the travelling public would soon notice improved service delivery in the sector.
