Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, has assured that the Abuja-Kaduna double gauge railway line 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 zones of the country.
The minister, who addressed a press conference shortly after his facility tour of parastatals in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, said the railway sector has suffered neglect due to poor policy initiation and implementation by previous administrations in the country.
In a statement by Taishobajo Kehinde from the press unit of the ministry, he quoted Amaechi as noting that the neglect has led to the proliferation of privately owned haulage services that caused chaotic traffic on the nation’s roads.
He said, “ The immediate impact will be the reduction of haulage of heavy cargo by road for increased lifespan”.
The minister further expressed optimism about the success of the policy thrust of the new administration in the sector, adding that the movement of petroleum products by rail would be started 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 multiplier effects on the economy.
About the maritime sector, Amaechi said that it made appreciable contribution to the nation’s GDP and assured that the government would implement policies that encourage private sector participation.
He also said 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 added that the ministry 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.
-Leadership