- Extols President Buhari’s Rail Infrastructure Achievements
The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has described the Nigerian Railway Corporation as a bedrock of social-economic development which has influenced many lives.
Sambo disclosed this while on a working visit to the Nigerian Railway Corporation corporate headquarters in Ebute – Metta Lagos.
The Minister also applauded the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in rail development.
The Minister who commended the support of stakeholders in the Transportation Sector said he wished that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had come earlier to help Kick-start the Railway modernization programme.
Sambo added that the Nigerian Railway Corporation has a rich history of unifying the people and impacting so many lives.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has a very rich history and a lot of us who are our age know the impact the railway corporation has had on so many families in this country.
“Some people speak Igbo because their parents worked in the Railway corporation, some people speak Hausa because their parents worked in the Northern part of the country at a point or the other in their lives all because of their employment with the NRC, indeed this corporation has done well in unifying the country.
“It is so unfortunate that this bedrock of social-economic development was allowed to die, to be laid comatose. At a time when we discovered oil and at a time when we even said at one time that we didn’t even know what to do with money.
“Honesty, I wish the incumbent President had come much earlier. However, it is better late than never. The foundation is laid and there is no going back. I don’t think any government will come after this and not continue with the Railway modernization program of this administration, which has been very robust,” he said.
Sambo further commended the effort of the former Minister of Transportation, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi and other members of staff for their achievements in the Rail sector.
He acknowledged their support and prayed for their continuous cooperation so as to leave a positive and lasting impression in the rail transportation sector.
“I want to thank those of you that we met on board for having achieved all that we have seen and some of them we are going to see today. The progress in the rail sub-sector is something that we are all proud of.
“I think the gratitude goes to my predecessor and those of you here who supported him. We must commend him for all the things he did while he was in office.
“One of those achievements is in the Rail sub-sector. I want to join everyone in hailing my immediate predecessor, Right Honourable Rotimi Amaechi for all he has done, especially in the rail sub-sector. He has indeed left an indelible mark, which you cannot take away from him.
“Those of us that have come after him, have a very limited time but we have vowed to continue from where he stopped and we can only make an impression. If we get your total support.
“So far, we have received that support and we hope that the support will continue until the last day which is May 29, 2023, may God spare our life,” he said.
Sambo further assured members of staff of the railway corporation that the Ministry would continue to support them by creating an environment where they can work comfortably without any harassment or intimidation.
“On our own, we will continue to support you as we know that we are all here for the good of the country. I would like to thank you for this warm welcome.
“So on behalf of my colleague, Prince Adegoroye, the Permanent Secretary, the directors, and other members of staff who came from Abuja, I want to thank you and wish all of us a great day and a blessed one. Thank you,” he said.
The Minister also extolled the formidable achievements attained by the Buhari Administration.
“The progress in the rail sub-sector is unprecedented. The gratitude goes to President Muhammadu Buhari and those of you here who supported him,” Mu’azu said.
“I wish to thank my immediate predecessor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Ameachi, for all he has done especially in the rail sub-sector. He has indeed left an indelible mark,” the Minister added.
Furthermore, he eulogised President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the leadership and unwavering support that robustly brought to light, the rail modernization Programme.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okhiria, appreciated the Ministers of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo and Prince Ademola Adewole Adegoroye for the visit, stating that it allows them to have first-hand information on the NRC modernisation projects.
On recent challenges faced by the Corporation, Okhiria identified insecurity and vandalisation and used the occasion to thank the Minister and his team for their efforts towards ensuring that railway corridors are secured for the safety of passengers and other stakeholders.
“I will also commend the effort of the Honourable Minister by ensuring all hostages of the AKTS infamous train attack were released before the resumption of train operations on the AKTS. This shows the compassion and empathy of our Minister,” the Managing Director said.
