I Am Minister Of Transport ‘To Serve All Nigerians’— Amaechi

Oru Leonard

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has said that his position as Minister of Transportation is to serve all Nigerians.

Rt. Honourable Amaechi stated this on Monday, April 8, 2019 during the regular inspection tour of the Lagos- Ibadan railway project, with journalists.

He emphasised that the rail project will be enjoyed by all and sundry residing in Nigeria and noted that he is Minister of Transportation for both the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He expressed great concern about the excess congestion at the Apapa seaport as well as the incessant gridlock in Lagos state.

“My problem is that there is too much congestion at the seaport, there is gridlock in Lagos. The moment we finish this segment before December, we will have to face Apapa, then nearly all the cargoes will be all on the track.

“That way, we will resolve the gridlock and congestion at the seaport which will create employment and economic growth which is the target of the government” he said.

On the pace of work, The Minister noted that kilometer 157.5 of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project was reviewed, but the pace of work from kilometre 110 to 121 and 124 to 157 was slow, but that the contractors have promised to increase their speed which is being stalled by lack of equipment.

He stated once again that the pressure to complete the work has nothing to do with party affiliations nor to score cheap political point in the 2019 elections.

On the upsurge of passengers at the Abuja- Kaduna train service, Amaechi said he had directed that two coaches should be moved from Itakpe-Warri rail line to Abuja Station.

The Honourable Minister is still hopeful that the Lagos- Ibadan rail line project would be completed by the end of May 2019.