Government

Rail Project’ll Boost Regional Integration, Economic Growth –Ambode

Published

8 years ago

March 8, 2017

Rail Project’ll Boost Regional Integration, Economic Growth

Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said that the Federal Government was committed to delivering a fast and efficient rail service system between Lagos and Ibadan within a projected time frame of December 2018.

Osinbajo, who spoke at the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Segment II Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project with Extension to Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, held at the Nigerian Railway Corporation compound, Ebute-metta, recalled that President Buhari, during his visit to China in January 2016, reopened negotiation on the Chinese support for the project under the Lagos-Kano modernization project.

He said the ground breaking ceremony marked the commencement of the government’s plan to move speedily to improve transport links with Lagos, the national economic nerve centre and major port to other state capital across the country.

“An active and vibrant railway system confers many benefits on the society. Our ultimate goal is to restore a railway using culture for both commercial and personal transportation. We are confident that the national rail project will create up to half a million jobs and facilitate the movement of up to 3.2 million tonnes of cargo per annum.

“It will also reduce the burden on national high ways, thus reducing deterioration of the road networks and increasing the life span of our roads. Railway network will support efforts to diversify the economy and enhance our export potentials. Just as several of our cities became known as railway towns in the past we expect to boost economic activities within the railway lines that will eventually cut across the entire country,” Osinbajo said.

In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said that the proposed extension of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project would go a long way to open up the economy of the South West region as well as facilitate regional integration and growth.

He said the project also marked a new dawn in the transformation of the nation’s transport infrastructure, especially for the South West region.

Expressing delight that the take-off had become a reality, the Governor said aside boosting regional integration, the agricultural sector would receive the long awaited boost as the rail line will be a fast and convenient means of transporting farm produce from the hinterland to the city thereby increasing the economies of the States.

He said: “A direct benefit of this project is that containers and goods from the Apapa Port will now be transported by rail thereby reducing the number of trailers and other heavy duty vehicles on our roads.

“A direct consequence of this project would be less productive man hours wasted on the roads due to traffic gridlock and bad roads due to heavy duty vehicles. In addition, we expect government to expend fewer resources on road repair and maintenance once the rail line takes off and reduce the pressure of articulated vehicles on our roads.”

While thanking President Buhari for approving the Right of Way for the proposed Red Line Light Rail Project by his administration, Governor Ambode also implored the Nigeria Railway Cooperation to cooperate with the State Government during the construction of the Red Line.

“We thank the Federal Government of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for prioritizing this landmark project which will greatly complement our efforts to deliver a transport system that is befitting of a modern city state. It is also important to note that the Lagos Red Line rail will share the same corridor and Right Of Way with the Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan Rail Line.

“We thank the Federal Government for grating approval for the Right of Way for the Red Line. I want to use this opportunity to implore the Federal Government particularly the Nigeria Railway Corporation to cooperate with us during the construction of the Red Line as we work with them to make the Lagos Abeokuta Rail a big success,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, said on assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari prioritised the completion of rail projects across the country and challenged the Ministry to hit the ground running to ensure that the project is delivered in record time.

The ceremony was witnessed by several dignitaries including the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the State Executive Council, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers, stakeholders in the transport industry, among others.

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Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Government

I Knelt Down, Begged Wike for Peace to Reign in Rivers – Fubara Reveals Amid Tension

Published

9 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

Amid the growing political tension and upheaval in Rivers State, Governor Sim Fubara, has revealed that he has done everything possible for him to prevent the current panicking situation in the state.

According to him, he practically knelt down for his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike and begged him to let go of their feud, but the former governor rebuffed his pleas.

While speaking on a television political programme, Fubara went into memory lane on how he had strived to please the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, saying he (Fubara) kept all understanding with Wike.

The governor said he has been showing understanding in order not to expose the state to violence but added that the minister thwarted his good intentions for the state, hence the violence that has enveloped Rivers.

According to him, “There is nothing I have not done on this earth for peace to reign. I can tell you the number of times I have knelt to beg that let’s allow this issue to go. I have done everything.”

He therefore urged Wike, his predecessor, to allow peace to reign in the state by letting go of Rivers State.

Fubara stated that the current troubling situation in the riverine state has gotten to a point where Wike needs to let go and allow peace in the state.

Investors King had reported that Rivers was thrown into crisis on Monday, a day after the swearing-in of 22 winners of the controversial Saturday local government elections in the state.

The swearing-in of the chairmen from other political parties other than the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, had enraged Wike’s camp as hoodlums began attacking local government council secretariats, burning office equipment, files, chairs and tables, and equipment.

Disturbed by the ugly development, President Bola Tinubu had directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to secure Rivers State’s local government secretariats following the arsons.

Meanwhile, Olabode George, former deputy national chairman of the PDP, urged Wike to allow Fubara to work.

In a statement, George said asked Wike to leave Fubara alone and allow him to fastrack dividends of democracy for his people.

Government

One Feared Killed, Property Destroyed as Hoodlums Set Rivers LG Secretariats Ablaze

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

In an alleged move to prevent the newly elected Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State from resuming offices, hoodlums went on a rampage across council secretariats in the state, setting them ablaze and destroying property.

At least, one person was reportedly killed as sporadic shooting rented the air in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of the state on Monday after some hoodlums stormed the premises.

Recall that protests had rocked some local government areas over the order of the police to unseal the Secretariats of the 23 LGs of the state which have been under lock and key since July.

Sequel to the relocation of police personnel stationed at the 23 council offices, it was gathered that the new chairmen, who had been sworn in by the state governor, Sim Fubara, made attempts to resume their offices on Monday.

However, there was tension as some protesters armed with guns and dangerous weapons besieged the secretariats and started torching the building and other property in sight.

They started shooting while people started running in different directions.

In a similar pattern, violent protests occurred at other LGs where some youths took over the council headquarters in Emuoha and Ikwerre LGs.

In Ikwerre LG, protesters who invaded the secretariat in Isiokpo set fire to a section of the secretariat, preventing the workers from assessing the place.

It was gathered the situation prevented the newly sworn-in Chairman of Ikwerre from going in to inaugurate his councilors.

Gunshots were heard at Ikwerre LG Secretariat in a video obtained by Investors King as some people were screaming for help amid the fire.

A source said the police later moved in to quell the riot while the fire was put out, though some parts of the council headquarters were damaged.

In Emuuoha LG, protesters prevented the newly sworn-in chairman from assessing the council headquarters in Isiokpo.

The protesters claimed that the candidate of the Action Peoples Party which they termed an unpopular and unknown party does not have what it takes to win the just concluded election.

The protesters were said to have blocked the main entrance to the secretariat.

They were said to have taken control of the administrative building, saying they would not allow the Chairman, David Omereji, to assume office.

Their supporters insisted that they recognised the immediate past KG Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd, as the duly elected chairman and demanded that he be allowed to complete his tenure as extended by the state House of Assembly.

The PDP Emohua Council Chairman, Morrison Jim, addressed the public, reaffirming the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

He said despite not participating in the recent election due to a court order, the PDP remained strong and united.

Earlier on Monday, protesters invaded the Eleme LG secretariat and set it on fire, destroying several buildings and cars, including a police vehicle inside the council premises.

Government

Wike’s Camp Dares Fubara After Swearing in LG Chairmen From Another Party as PDP Govs’ Forum Reacts

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to the FCT Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has declared fresh ‘war’ against the state governor, Sim Fubara for swearing in the newly elected local government chairmen from another party.

The local council election, held last Saturday, saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) winning 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one.

Additionally, the APP claimed victory in 314 out of 319 councillorship seats across the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of Rivers State.

Following the election, Fubara swore in the newly elected council chairmen on Sunday. It is understood that after losing control of the PDP to Wike, Fubara’s supporters shifted their allegiance to the APP.

Reacting, PDP Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Yowika expressed the party’s intention to take legal action, stating that the camp didn’t recognize Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony.

Yowika emphasised that the party had long maintained that the election was illegal, citing a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu, which prohibited the conduct of the council election.

He stressed that the state government’s decision to proceed with the election was a violation of that judgment.

Reiterating the party’s stance on adhering to the rule of law, he described his camp as law-abiding, promising not to engage in physical confrontation with the governor.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, has said that his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Fubara has proven himself a true democrat.

Mohammed said Fubara has against all odds, pushed through with decisions and actions to deepen democracy.

Mohammed further said Fubara has done so by being proactive with an open mind and deploying his democratic instincts with strategies to carefully deliver democratic governance at the local government level, irrespective of party allegiance or consideration.

Mohammed, who is also the Governor of Bauchi State, made the remark shortly after he witnessed the swearing-in of 23 democratically elected Rivers State Local Government Council Chairmen at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt on Monday morning and sent to newsmen.

The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman affirmed that Rivers State is a PDP State, even if the just sworn-in local government chairmen and councilors are of different political parties.

He bemoaned the situation, describing it as the problem that they have found themselves both as a party and as governors.

However, Mohammed said Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is still an avowed member of the PDP even though other parties constitute the body of elected officers at the local government level.

Mohammed pointed out why it is inadvisable to ignore a sitting governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the following he commands.

This is why, he insisted, the effrontery to undermine the office and person of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State is largely not acceptable.

Responding to how soon the PDP will resolve its festering crisis and achieve the desired unity, Governor Mohammed assured that it may seem prolonged but quickly added that true reconciliation was in view.