Blessing Onumajuru
8 November 2009
DEPUTY Governor of Abia State, Comrade Chris Akomas, has called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the rehabilitation of rail lines connecting Port Harcourt, Abia , Enugu and other cities in the zone for new businesses.
He said this during the recent handover of Isiala- Ngwa Inland Container Depot (ICD) to the Concessionaires - Eastgate Inland Container Terminal Limited by the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC) at Avor-Ntigha in Isiala-Ngwa local government area of the state.
According to him, the rehabilitation of the rail lines would improve business in the area, noting that with establishment of ICD, it becomes very important that such facility like rail lines be put in good shape. He said such will serve as better means of freighting bulk containers to the Dry Port for clearing by the owners.
Akomas also said there is need to equally integrate Calabar and its environs in the federal government railway masterplan for an all embracing connectivity in the South-South, South East zones of Nigeria in the programme of rail transportation.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of Eastgate Inland Container Terminal Limited, Mr. Bill Nkemdirim said that the depot when operational has the potential of turning Abia State into Abia Tiger as there would be many other associated businesses it will naturally attract. He thanked Abia State government, Nigeria Shippers' Council and the people of Ntigha for their role in making the dream come through. He promised not to let any of the stakeholders down adding that Eastgate will finish the construction ahead of the record time.
Isiala-Ngwa ICD is among the six approved by the federal government few years ago. Each geo-political zone was allotted one ICD.
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