Leadership (Abuja)
Juliet Alohan
14 January 2009
The Federal Government is to acquire about 60 new locomotives this year for the haulage of goods from the Southern part of the country to the North.
The Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Bio made this known while receiving, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Architect Namadi Mohammed Sambo in his office in Abuja.The Minister stated that the development of the Nigerian Railway, is an issue the President is giving serious attention, hence its inclusion in the seven point agenda of his Administration.
Alhaji Bio further disclosed that discussions are on going with kwara, Niger, Lagos, and Rivers states which have declared interest and shown commitment to partner with the federal government in the development and construction of the new rail lines especially for haulage of goods from the sea ports to various States. The Transport Minister noted that the railway as a single large mover of passengers must not only be functional in 2009, but must be very effective with regard to the mandate of the Yar' Adua's administration.
In his remarks the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Architect Namadi Sambo indicated that the public private partnership programme between the Kaduna State government and the Nigeria railway corporation is yielding tremendous dividends. He noted that a trip from Kaduna to Kafanchan that attracted an exorbitant fare of one thousand Naira by taxi, and over N700 by bus is only two hundred Naira by train which also conveys more passengers.
The Governor stated that over ten thousand passengers are conveyed on this route daily. While commending the Minister for this laudable programme he revealed that the State is already planning to acquire two new locomotives to support the federal government gesture.The governor also stated that the development of the inland port in Kaduna can only be vibrant if the rail line from Apapa port in Lagos to Kaduna is rehabilitated and expanded, noting that over 15, 000 containers are presently being moved daily from Lagos to Kaduna.Governor Sambo who presented a master plan of a new mega city already being developed by Kaduna State government to the Minister, solicited the Federal government support in constructing a new rail line between Abuja and the new city.
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