Minister of Transportation Mu’azu Sambo has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s Rail Modernisation Programme would connect every state capital in the country.
A statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Sam Idiagbonya, said Sambo spoke at the 20th Convocation Ceremony of Igbinedion University in Okada, Edo State.
According to him, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s agenda of infrastructure development and social inclusion has not left Edo behind. He insisted that a strong higher education system is vital for accelerating development, building inclusive societies and promoting sustainable economic growth.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has also denied rumours that the Abuja-Kaduna rail service will resume on Novermbe 24.
Managing Director Fidet Okhiria described the news as false and so should be disregarded.
According to him, no definite date has been fixed for the resumption, but the Federal Government is making every necessary effort to ensure it resumes before end of November.
He said: “The news is false because a definite date has not yet been fixed. It is true that the minister announced that we will resume services on that route this November, and efforts are being made to bring this to life…”
Service along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor was halted due to a terrorist attack on March 28, which led to the loss of lives and kidnap of some passengers.