The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has advocated that buyers of stolen rail facilities in Nigeria should be speedily prosecuted and jailed to serve as deterrent to others.
The Minister who made this known today in Ibadan at an interview session with Journalists, after tour of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Railway project, stated that persons in the business of buying metal products are the main culprits responsible for the surge in cases of rail vandalism.
The Minister further informed that the Ministry will approach the Judiciary with a plea to create special courts to enable quick dispensation of justice in cases relating to rail vandalism.
Speaking on completion of the assessed Lagos-Ibadan rail train stations, Amaechi assured that with the progress so far achieved, the project should be ready for commissioning by the President in June. “We are 89 % – 90% ready for commissioning” he said
He also inspected the Apapa seaport and was pleased with the level of work there and tasked the Terminal operators to ensure proper organization at the Ports.
Also, Amaechi appreciated the communities along Lagos – Ibadan for their wonderful coordination and cooperation since the project started and prayed for same in other communities that the Ministry will be working with.
The Board Chairman, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ibrahim Alhassan Musa, in an interview earlier lauded Messrs. China
Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) for their effort and prayed the facilities will be put to maximum use by Nigerians.
The Minister was accompanied on the inspection by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Group Managing Director, International Facilities, Dr. Tunde Ayeye, Director, Finance and Accounts, FMT, Umar Hassan, Director Legal Services, FMT, Pius Oteh, Chairman of Governing Board, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ibrahim Alhassan Musa amongst others.
Anastasia Ogbonna
For: Director (Press & PR)
May 22, 2021.
