TCAN set agenda on functional rail lines.

…Lauds Amaechi’s return, Saraki’s appointment

Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria, TCAN has tasked the federal government on the need to construct more rail lines across the country as well as speed up the construction of the standard gauge rail project to suit the change mantra.

The association also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari administration for appointing Rotimi Amaechi and Gbemisola Saraki as the minister of transport and minister of transport respectively.

Appreciating president Buhari on the choice of the two ministers, Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria chairman, Augusta Uchedinunuor expressed confidence that many pending projects would be completed as well as another ones springing up for better Nigeria.

She stressed that the assemblage of a star studded team in the duo of Rotimi Amaechi and Gbemisola Saraki reflects the unflinching commitment of the present administration to take the nation’s transportation sector to the NEXT LEVEL agenda.

According to her, we believe Saraki will also bring her experiences and competence to bear in supporting Amaechi who has, from the outset when he joined the Buhari government in 2015, showed a great zeal and passion for the transportation sector.

“With Amaechi and Saraki in the saddle, our nation’s transportation sector can only get better. We urge the duo to draw up a roadmap to deliver the country a transportation sector that every Nigerian will be proud of.

The completion of the Lagos – Ibadan project will boost economic growth and to a large extent reduce traffic gridlock that has remained a regular feature of Apapa and Tin can Island seaports.

Augusta Uchedinunuor said that, the inclusion of the extension of the ongoing construction of standard gauge railway line to Apapa as an addendum by the present administration bears testimony to the fact that government intends to reduce the cost of doing business at our ports”. She added.

The TCAN boss expressed hope that, the minister will accomplish the plan to extend the Warri to Itakpe standard gauge railway line to Abuja and Warri port.

She commended the decision to establish a manufacturing factory for coaches at Kajola, Ifo area of Ogun state as well as establishment of the University of Transportation in Daura, Kastina State, which according to her will add to the rail transportation system value-chain.

A ground-breaking ceremony of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project took place March 7, 2017, and the railway was scheduled for completion in December 2018. Construction was delayed by heavy rains last year, and the federal government had to deploy soldiers to protect the railway workers from hoodlums and armed robbers.