The minister of transport, Senator Idris Umar has reassured that the federal government is committed to the provision of effective rail system; even as he admitted completion of a mere 28% project of the Kaduna-Abuja standard gauge rail of 187km.
The minister gave this assurance yesterday at a ministerial platform in Abuja noted that the rehabilitation and completion of the standard gauge rail line in the central corridor from Itakpe through Ajaokuta to Warri is in progress.
The minister of transport, Senator Idris Umar has reassured that the federal government is committed to the provision of effective rail system; even as he admitted completion of a mere 28% project of the Kaduna-Abuja standard gauge rail of 187km.
The minister gave this assurance yesterday at a ministerial platform in Abuja noted that the rehabilitation and completion of the standard gauge rail line in the central corridor from Itakpe through Ajaokuta to Warri is in progress.
According to him, the Lagos – Ibadan dual-track, standard gauge rail (360km) is ready for award but awaiting the conclusion of funding arrangements with China Exim Bank.
The minster, however told the media and stakeholders at the briefing that “the major railway projects embarked upon are in line with the 25-Year Strategic Rail Vision covering the rehabilitation of existing narrow gauge lines (3,505km) and the construction of new standard gauge lines as part of Federal Government’s effort to modernize the railways.
“Rehabilitation works covering over 90% of the existing narrow gauge rail tracks (3,505km) have been awarded and are at various stages of completion.
According to him, “the role of transportation in the economic, political and social development of any nation cannot be over-emphasized as developments in all the other sectors of the economy depend on the efficient performance of the transport system.
“Generally, the fundamental goal of the Transport Sub-Sector under the Infrastructure component of the Transformation Agenda of the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, and the National Vision 20:2020 is to develop an adequate, safe, environmentally friendly, efficient and affordable, integrated transport system within the framework of a progressive and competitive market economy.
“Nigeria like most nations desires to make massive investments beyond the means available to Government, in order to close the relatively wide infrastructure gap.
“To this end, the Federal Government has adopted a policy framework that will provide the enabling environment for the private sector to play a significant role in providing some of these investments independently or through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“The use of private investments, where appropriate, to address the infrastructure deficit and improve public services in a sustainable way is regulated by the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Act, 2005 and other relevant enabling legislations.
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