The Federal Government has assured that the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line will be constructed to link Abuja for ease of transportation for people along the corridor.
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja while presenting the achievements of his ministry at the second edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard 2015-2023.
The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
The 326 Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line conceptualised in 1987 by Gen. Ibrahim Babanida Military Administration to connect the Aladja Steel Complex and the Ajaokuta Steel complex, but was built and inaugurated in 2020 for commercial purposes by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting to a question from a user of the rail line who complained of the stress of travelling by road from Abuja to Itakpe to board the train, the minister said plans were underway to link it to Abuja.
He explained that, “the rail line was constructed as a concession and it was approved at the Federal Executive Council.
“Unfortunately, because the concessionaire couldn’t perform, as we speak, we are preparing to go back to the Federal Executive Council in order to execute that corridor on an EP and CP plus F, meaning Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Finance.
“It is one of the most important railway lines in this country because it is the central line.
“Like my sister rightly said, you can travel from Abuja to Warri by rail, without the hazards of going by road. So, it is a very critical line and we are mindful of that.”
The minister also noted that the railway modernisation program of the administration has a plan to link every state capital.
Speaking on Calabar Seaport Dredging, he said the project had suffered unfortunate hiccups because of multiple cases in court which they inherited.
He, however, assured that the president had directed that they should do everything possible to resolve all the cases soonest. (NAN)
