There was jubilation in Port Harcourt and Aba, Abia State as the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to bring succour to Nigerians as enshrined in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the flagging off ceremony of the Port Harcourt- Aba train service which took place at the Port Harcourt Railway Station, on Tuesday, amidst cheers and jubilations, by the native speakers of the South- South and South- East geo political zones, the minister said the federal government will continue to expand the rail transportation system which he described as “the bedrock for economic and social development.”
Resident of Rivers and Abia State, especially traders and artisans, expressed joy over the development, saying they have seen democracy at work.
Senator Alkali explained that the next phase of the project will witness opening of Aba- Enugu and linking of Port Harcourt and Onne ports to the train network with a view to boosting commercial activities in the country.
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He added that government will leave no stone unturned towards ensuring the timely completion of all ongoing rail projects across the country, so that Nigerians would have a better life.
While commenting on the all important event, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria said at the initial stage, his agency will carry passengers from Port Harcourt to Aba, free of charge for one week, adding that locomotives are expected to ply the route to and from once daily for one month.
According to the M.D, after a month the number will increase to two batches to and from Port Harcourt- Aba daily.
Okhiria who assured Nigerians of NRC’s untiring effort to better service delivery, maintained that new coaches and locomotives are expected into the country from a Supplier in China, soon.
He remarked that as soon as funds are made available by Government, rail projects will go simultaneously with a view to achieving the set goals.
It could be recalled that passenger train services had stopped in the Eastern narrow gauge sometimes in April, 2022 but with the coming of the incumbent Transportation Minister, the dream of the people has been rekindled by taking bold steps in reactivating train services in the corridor.
The Minister was accompanied to the epoch making event by the Permanent Secretary of the transportation ministry, Directors and other top Government functionaries.
The delegation rode from Port Harcourt- Aba in fulfilment of the Federal government’s promise to resume operation from the corridor.
