Rivers Monorail Project, Most Commendable – Minister

The Minister of Transport, senator Idris Umar has described the Rivers State Government’s initiative to develop a monorail transport system as appropriate, timely and most commendable.

Senator Umar made the commendation at a one-day public forum on the Rivers Monorail Project and the gauge of public transportation in Rivers State, issues, challenges and way forward organised by the state Ministry of Transport in Port Harcourt last Wednesday.

He said a functional monorail system would confer on Rivers State greater accessibility as it would complement and have a linkage with the on-going Port Harcourt – Maiduguri and Lagos -Kano   lines rehabilitation on the existing narrow gauge network of 3,505km, as well as the on-going modernisation of the Abuja (Idu) , Kaduna, and Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Lines and other planned new lines to expand the total rail network.

The minister said that the Rivers monorail project would be viable as it is strategic, adding that it would be of immense socio-economic benefit to Rivers State in particular and the nation in general.

According to him, the project is in line with the National Transport Policy (NTP) and the Nigerian Transportation Masterplan (NTM), and noted that the ministry is ready to collaborate with the Rivers State Government and make necessary input through the Nigeria Railway Corporation, with a view to speedy and successful implementation of the project.

He disclosed that the Federal Government is taking necessary steps through its transport sector Reform Programme to remove all obstacles to promote increased participation it all the tiers of government and the organised private sector in the planning, development and operation of transport facilities and services, through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Sector Umar, who was represented by the Director of Policy in the minister however urged the Rivers State Government to forge ahead and muster the political will and commitment to diligently and faithfully develop the Rivers monorail, and lauded the Governor for the foresight.

Collins Barasimeye