From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said those holding the argument that former minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, abandoned the eastern railway corridor project, were mischief-makers, deliberately feigning ignorance.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, Eze, attempting to correct the erroneous insinuation in some quarters that Amaechi abandoned the eastern rail project, said in 2021, the Federal Ministry of Transportation under the headship of former Rivers governor, Amaechi, gave a $3 billion contract for the expansion of the country’s eastern railway, linking Port Harcourt with Maiduguri.
According to him, a major part of the contract term included the restoration and renovation of the railway network between Port Harcourt and Maiduguri in northern part Nigeria.
He said the eastern railway network connects various cities in eastern area, passing through 12 states, including the building of additional branch tracks in addition to the growth of the current eastern railway.
He said: “China Railway Construction Corporation’s subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) was granted the contract for the project which has the potential of speeding up Nigeria’s industrialisation and urbanisation by boosting resource development and employment along with the network.”
Eze said the completion of track laying from Port Harcourt to Aba was a major milestone in the project which spans East to North.
“The train project is designed to enhance regional trade and help Nigeria reestablish itself with a good rail network in West Africa,” he said.
Eze highlighted that in tandem with the vision of Amaechi coupled with the foundation and ground work he put in place for completion of the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail project, the incumbent Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, by November 2023, reassured Nigerians that the Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project would be completed accordingly.
Eze, citing a statement signed by the Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to the Minister, Jamilu Ja’afaru, the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, has vowed to ensure the completion and full operation of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail network soon.
The statement further explained that upon completion of the rail line, Nigerians would enjoy good trade, access market, and business places easily, and also boost agricultural production and its movement.
The statement highlighted that Akali expressed his resolve to ensure the rail project is not only completed on time, but also meets the highest international standards.
“With this milestone development, Amaechi has rubbished the erroneous insinuation in some quarters that he abandoned the eastern rail project as all things being equal this project will be achieved in our life time courtesy of this visionary leader,” Eze said.