Itakpe-Warri Rail to be Linked to Apapa, Tin Can, Warri Onne and Calabar Ports

Following the inauguration of the 326-kilometre Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said the rail line should be linked to all nation’s ports to better open up the economy.

Buhari, who conducted the inauguration virtually, listed Apapa, Tin Can, Warri, Onne and Calabar Ports.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed in a statement titled ‘After 30 years in limbo, President Buhari inaugurated 326Km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line for commercial operation’.

The statement read, “At the virtual opening of the rail line linking Itakpe to Warri, President Buhari 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 in order to significantly improve overall transportation and economic capacities.

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

Adesina also quoted the President as saying he had approved the prioritisation of railway routes across the country.

He said, “Accordingly, I have approved the prioritisation of viable railway routes for either new rail lines or the reconstruction and rehabilitation of some, to achieve effective and efficient train services supporting the country’s trade and commerce.”

According to the statement, President Buhari was confident that the project will be completed during his administration.