The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has urged relevant stakeholders in the Transportation sector to demonstrate commitment toward actionable solutions to strengthen Africa’s railway systems and enhance continental connectivity.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the ACCI, made the call at the opening of the 2nd Abuja International Railway Conference and Exhibition on Monday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference was, “Challenges and Opportunities in Railway Development in Africa: a Call for Investment”.
Obegolu said that railways were far more than a mode of transportation; adding that they are the backbone of industrialisation, trade facilitation and regional integration.
“We have come to realise that rail transport will offer so many opportunities for trade within Nigeria and outside Nigeria.
“We know that the movement of goods and services all over the world is facilitated more by rail transport.
“For our economy as a country to grow, we must have an extensive rail network that connects people and places in Nigeria,” he said.
He said that the conference was an opportunity for ACCI to create investment for its members and for the business community in the FCT.
“The rail sector is an extensive investment platform for businesses to grow and to support the national economy.
“There should also be commitment to actionable solutions that will strengthen Africa’s railway systems and enhance continental connectivity,” he said.
Obegolu said that railways directly impacted economic growth and competitiveness by reducing the cost of doing business, opening new markets and creating opportunities for enterprises of all sizes.
He said that the ACCI’s interest in railway development was deeply rooted in its potential to stimulate investment, drive trade, support industries and create jobs for Nigerians.
“The opportunities are immense; from infrastructure financing and technology partnerships, logistics, supply chains, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) inclusion.
“This is why the ACCI is proud to partner with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Desadel Nigeria Ltd in convening this important forum,” he said.
The ACCI president, however, encouraged all delegates, exhibitors and stakeholders to fully seize the opportunities that the conference presented, explore partnerships and exchange innovative ideas to boost the sector.
Mr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), said that the BPP was fully in support ofv efforts to strengthen the railway sector.
Adedokun said that the BPP stood with the full alignment of the President Bola Tinubu1s objectives in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda in the transportation sector.
“I will like to clearly state that the BPP can testify to the rigorous processes that all these projects have been undertaking and we are in full alignment with the monitoring and execution of these projects,” he said.
Mr Michael Yigao, Managing Director, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), called on relevant stakeholder to collaborate to enable Nigeria build railway that was worthy of the future.
“Let us collaborate to contribute more, to enhance the sector for economic growth. Let us build the railway that is worthy of the future that we envision.
“we should build railways that unite rather than divide, empower rather than exclude, and endure as symbols of shared prosperity,’’ he said.
