Buhari inaugurates Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail

By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

President Muhmmadu Buhari, on Tuesday, inaugurated the 326 kilometre Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line more than 30 years after it was conceptualised.

The President, who joined the inauguration ceremony at the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Complex in Agbor (Owa-Oyibu) Delta virtually, noted the new rail line is an important link for the nation’s economy.

Buhari also directed the Federal Ministry of Transportation to link all the nation’s ports of origin and destination – Apapa, Tin Can, Warri, Onne, Calabar Ports- to the rail network to significantly improve overall transportation and economic capacities.

The President declared his administration recognised the importance of the railway mode of transportation as a vital backbone to support industrialization and economic development.

Buhari expressed confidence the project, which serves as a vital link of South-South geopolitical zones of the country to the Northern zones, would be completed during the tenure of this administration.

”It will link people across the cultural divides and expand the frontier of trade and commerce, which will lead to better standards of living for our citizens,” he said.

He recalled that to further give recognition to Nigerian sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves at nation building and development, 11 railway stations and railway villages were named after some deserving citizens.

He listed them as: Adamu Attah Station, Itakpe; Abubakar Olusola Saraki Station Ajaokuta; Augustus Aikhomu Station, Itogbo; George Innih Station Agenebode; Anthony Enahoro Station, Uromi; Tom Ikimi Station, Ekehen and Samuel Ogbemudia Station, Igbanke.

Others are Goodluck Jonathan Railway Complex, Agbor, Owa-Oyibu; David Ejoor Station, Abraka; Michael Ibru Station, Opara; Alfred Rewane Station, Ujevwu; and Michael Akhigbe Railway Village, Agbor

The President enjoined all Nigerians in the transportation industry, especially the railway sub-sector, to continue to support Government in its stride to achieve other railway infrastructure projects.