The on-going Port Harcourt – Maiduguri corridor rail lines will be completed by the end of 2013.

The president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this during his Democracy Day broadcast last Tuesday in Abuja.

President Jonathan said the project is among the 3,000 kms of existing narrow gauge rail lines across the country that the government is currently rehabilitating.

According to him, the Lagos – Kano corridor would be completed this year, while work had commenced on the Abuja – Kaduna segment of the Lagos – Kano standard gauge rail lines.

He hinted that contract for the Lagos – Ibadan segment of the rail lines would be awarded this year as the Itekpe – Ajaokuta – Warri rail line is nearing completion with the entire tracks completely laid.

The president also stated that to enhance sustainability in the rail transport system, his administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with General Electrical (GE) to establish a locomotive assembly plant in Nigeria, adding that “our goal is to  make Nigeria a major hub in West and Central Africa”.

He noted that in efficient and affordable public transport system remains a priority to the administration and stressed that the transformation agenda in the road sector which seeks to deliver better and safer roads to all Nigerians, as well as to link the six geo–political zones in the country with due carriageways is on course.

President Jonathan, however, regretted that work on the East – West Road had been slow due o budgetary constraints, but assured that government would discharge all liabilities to contractors before the end of this month, as well as funds for the remaining part of the year would be provided to accelerate the pace of work.

He stated that about 21 other road projects in other parts of the country were at different stages of completion, and assured Nigerians of his administration’s desire to improve the transport sector.

Collins Barasimeye