President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to vigorously pursue rail development in Nigeria through the implementation of the railway master plan.
Buhari said this during the commissioning of additional locomotives and coaches at Rigasa Station in Kaduna State.
He said the Abuja-Kaduna rail line was a major achievement because it has met the needs of the masses.
He reiterated government’s commitment to linking all major commercial and production centres by rail for rapid social economic development and improving the quality of life of the citizens and improving the national integration.
“You may also recall that during the commissioning in July 2016, I reiterated our commitment to vigorously pursue rail development in Nigeria through the implementation of the 25 years strategic Railway Master Plan.
“We are encouraging private sector participation in Railway with negotiation ongoing with the General Electric (GE) on the concessioning of the narrow gauge lines.
“We are moving forward to more efficient narrow gauge lines to be driven by the private sector, it’s on the basis of this, that we are creating a more conducive environment for private sector participation.
“By strengthening our legal and regulatory frameworks and we reassure Nigerians that we are committed in linking all commercial sector with railway which will improve the quality of life and bring about national integration.”
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said that the two locomotives and 10 coaches would resolve the high demand of passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train service.
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According to him, the commissioning is a clear demonstration of a functional transport system which is the administration’s mandate.
He said that the train was carrying 1,280 passengers on a round trip daily noting that these new coaches would help improve their services and some coaches will also be deployed to Warri-Itakpe Standard gauge line.
Amaechi said that with this new executive coaches, express train service would be introduced with only one stop at Kubwa station and the problem of racketeering on that route would be resolved.
He said that the Warri-Itakpe rail line would be completed in September 2018.
He said work was progressing on the Lagos-Kano rail line.
