FG to complete eastern rail line this year- Minister

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to complete the rehabilitation of the Eastern railway corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, within the year, a statement said on Friday.

According to the statement issued in Abuja by Mrs Yetunde Sonaike, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, in the Ministry of Transport, the Minister, Mr Idris Umar, gave the assurance when he received the governors of Kogi and Anambra States, Idris Wada and Peter Obi in his office.

It said that the governors were at the ministry to solicit the inclusion of Onitsha and Ayangba in the 25years railway development master plan, aimed at transforming the transport sector .

The statement said that the master plan was not sacrosanct in principle and as such technical experts in the ministry would look into the request of the governors as soon as possible.

The governors commended the ministry on the successful rehabilitation of the Western rail line from Lagos to Kano and looked forward to the completion of other lines.

Wada commended the Federal Government for the completion of the dredging of the Lower River Niger from Lokoja to Onitsha and the development of an inland Jetty at Idah, Kogi state.

Wada also informed the minister that the state had set up a committee to look into safety steps to ensure smooth inland water transportation of passengers, especially between Kogi and Nasarawa states.

The governor, however, said that the state was in the process of acquiring necessary boats for safe transportation. (NAN)

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