Buhari vows to implement railway master plan

Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said his administration will not fail to implement the 25-year Strategic Railway Master Plan in the country.

He gave the assurance while commissioning the Abuja to Kaduna standard gauge train service in Abuja.

Reiterating the commitment of his administration to the rehabilitation and construction of other rail lines including the Lagos -Calabar and Kano-Lagos lines, he commended the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and his team for their efforts to successfully complete the Abuja to Kaduna standard gauge train service.

He said the completion and commissioning of the project was in line with his administration’s vision of bringing about the desired change to Nigerians through the development of necessary social and physical infrastructure.

He said: “I wish to also reassure Nigerians that due attention will be placed on pursuing the 25-year Strategic Railway Master Plan which is aimed at rehabilitating the existing 3,505km narrow gauge rail line and developing and constructing new standard gauge rail lines across the country.

“I am delighted to be here today to commission the Abuja – Kaduna railway track and flag-off the Abuja-Kaduna train services (Passengers & Freight) on Nigeria’s first ever Standard Gauge Rail track to go into operation.

“This project was conceived by the previous administration, started by the last government and I am pleased to complete and commission it.

“The construction of the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge rail track commenced in 2009 and happily we are on the threshold of presenting to Nigerians a Standard Gauge Railway Train Service that will be safe, fast and reliable.

“The Abuja-Kaduna train service will provide the much needed alternative transport link between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State, a corridor which has a huge potential for industries, agricultural activities and a growing labour force.”