Federal Govt Suspends Eastern Rail Project, Cites Insecurity, Vandalism As Reasons
The federal government has suspended the construction of the Port Harcourt-Maidugiri Eastern rail line, citing insecurity and vandalism of railway infrastructure as reasons for suspending the project.
The Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Sambo, disclosed this during the inspection of the project, on Friday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The minister said that the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCEC), the contractor handling the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the project, complained of attacks on its workers along the Abia State axis.
Sambo said he was so displeased about the development pointing out that in the history of Nigeria, no administration has invested more in rail infrastructure like the present administration of President Buhari.
He called on the media and the judiciary to join hands with the Ministry to ensure that economic saboteurs are not only exposed but prosecuted and sentenced speedily to serve as deterrence to others.
On the report that the funds meant for the Eastern rail line is diverted to other projects, the Minister said it was fake news as the progress made so far is from the 15% of the counterpart funding by Nigeria, while the 85% to be provided by foreign partners was still being negotiated.
