In a bid to ease transportation of goods and services across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, July 26, commissioned the Abuja- Kaduna railway service.
Post-Nigeria, gathered that the rail way project was conceptualised during the 16 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and was completed to over 90 Percent during the administration of former President, Goodluck Jonathan.
It could be recalled, that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, had in June 2016, said that Buhari would be commissioning the project in July, and would be ready for commercial use in July.
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Amaechi, had during one of the inspection of the rail project, maintained that he was marveled at the level of work carried out by the Jonathan administration in the sector.
Political Analysts, have however, argued that the commissioning of the project, has vindicated Jonathan, as the All Progressive Congress, APC, had during 2015 Presidential campaign, openly said that Jonathan’s railway construction project was a scam.
Buhari, while commissioning the project in Abuja said, the Federal Government would link all States and commercial centers in the country with rail lines.
The President said: “I am delighted to be here today to commission Abuja-Kaduna rail track, and flag off the Abuja-Kaduna train service (Passengers & Freight), on Nigeria’s first ever Standard Gauge Rail track to go into operation.
“This project was conceived by a previous administration, started by the last government and I am pleased to complete and commission it.
“It is on record that between 1963 and early ’80s, Nigeria had a vibrant rail system which conveyed agricultural produce, livestock and solid mineral resources to Lagos and Port Harcourt sea ports, from where they were exported to other parts of the world.
“It is our vision and hope that those good old days will soon be back with us, and indeed, in a more prosperous way, with the restoration of rail transport system which today’s occasion symbolises.
“The construction of Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge rail track commenced in 2009 and happily, 16 years after, we are on the threshold of presenting to Nigerians a Standard Gauge Railway Train Service that will be safe, fast and reliable. “The Abuja-Kaduna train service will provide the much needed alternative transport link between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State, a corridor which has a huge potential for industries, agricultural activities and a growing labour force. “Completion and commissioning of this project is, indeed, in keeping with our vision of bringing about the desired change to make life easier for the generality of Nigerians through the development and provision of the necessary social and physical infrastructure.”
The President who later took a train ride from Idu to Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja, expressed joy that railway project from the City to Kaduna, has finally begun operation.
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