In fulfilment of the federal government’s promise to Nigeria to revamp the railway system in the country, Vice President Namadi Sambo on Friday inaugurated five 68-passenger coach air-conditioned trains in Makurdi.
Sambo explained that the inauguration of the trains was in fulfilment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise to revive the rail sector, adding that the sector remained an important area to economic growth of the nation.
He added that the Jonathan government would give priority attention to policies that would boost the growth of the country, adding that government would facilitate the rail system to function effectively, maintaining that they would not relent in their efforts to design, construct and develop the country.
The Vice President said the Abuja standard gauge which is the first of its kind in West Africa would be completed in the first week of February as well as the Ajaokuta rail line to connect Lokoja River port, adding too that the Lagos line was intended to connect all the oil producing states of the nation.
“We have a 25 years strategic plan for the rail system which has suffered neglect for a long time. We will not rest on our oars in total rehabilitation of the rail sector. We will resuscitate it as part of our goal of service delivery to Nigerians”, Sambo said.
Governor Suswam said the inauguration of new coaches would make for easy transportation of good s from the State to others parts of the country.
The new coaches are expected to cover Makurdi-Port Harcourt-Enugu, Makurdi-Kafanchan- Jos, Makurdi-Gombe-Bauchi.
