By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem
President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the Abuja- Kaduna rail services.
The President performed the commissioning ceremony at the train’s main station at Idu, Abuja on Tuesday.
The project is Nigeria’s first ever Standard Gauge Rail track.
While commending the previous administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan for initiating the project, he also acknowledged the effort of Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and his team for putting finishing touches on the project.
The President also assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would link all states and commercial centres in the country with rail lines.
“It is on record that between 1963 and early ‘80s, Nigeria had a vibrant rail system which conveyed agricultural and livestock and solid mineral resources to Lagos and Port Harcourt sea ports from where they are exported to other parts of the world. It is our vision and hope that those good old days will soon be back with us and indeed in a more prosperous way with the restoration of rail transport system which today’s occasion symbolises.
The construction of the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge rail track commenced in 2009 and happily, seven years after, 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.
The Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi and his team have put great efforts in the last few months to ensure the successful completion of this project under this Administration. Completion and Commissioning of this project is indeed in keeping with our vision of bringing about the desired change to make life easier for the generality of Nigerians through the development and provision of the necessary social and physical infrastructure.
In this regard, I wish to assure Nigerians that most State capitals and major commercial and production centres will be linked with railway system as a way of bringing about rapid socio-economic development and improving the quality of life of the Nigerians and promoting social & regional integration.
Furthermore, 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,” the President said.
He promised to also pursue the rehabilitation and construction of other rail lines across the country.
“As we celebrate the symbolic return of rail service today I wish to reiterate the commitment of this administration to pursue with greater vigour and determination rehabilitation and construction of other rail lines including the major Lagos-Calabar and Kano-Lagos lines.
As we get down to work, I look forward to flagging off many more lines outlined in our transport policy programme,” he added.
The President later took a train ride from Idu to Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja.
