Despite the rocky start off that greeted the announcement and eventual screening of his ministerial nomination in 2015, the Minister of Transport,Rotimi Amaechi has emerged as the best performing Minister under the 2015 Buhari led administration.
This is according to a radio poll conducted by Star FM 101.5 Ikeja’s Mofe, Presenter of the ‘Mofe the Early Rush’ Programme.
Mofe said,” in addition to what we discussed on open Friday, we asked you based on performance, who is your favourite Minister. it was a poll we started yesterday and Rotimi Amaechi dusted every other person. The closest was the foreign affairs Minister. But Rotimi Amaechi by far. People were mentioning warri itakpe rail, Lagos Abeaokuta rail.”
It will be recalled that the Kaduna Abuja Kaduna rail line was completed and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2016 under keen supervision by the Minister.
This has not only become the preferred mode of transportation for passengers traveling to and from Abuja to Kaduna but is also raking in millions as revenue for the federal government.
Reacting to the announcement via a statement , the media Aide to the Minister, Isreal Ibeleme expressed appreciation to Nigerians who took part in the poll saying that indeed the dedication and doggedness of the Minister in ensuring Nigeria moves towards economic prosperity is paying off.
“We are most grateful to your station Star FM 101.5 for this programme and to all Nigerians for their love and overwhelming support to the Minister and I assure you all that I will convey all your good gesture to His Excellency, Rt.Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi”, he said.
The Managing Director , Nigeria Railway Commission, NRC, Fidet Okhira in January 2019 disclosed that sales of tickets generated over N960 million in 2018 with an average of about 80million monthly and an expected projection of an increase in revenue with the addition of more coaches
Similarly, the 157.500 km standard gauge Lagos Ibadan rail line awarded to the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company , CCECC, to the tune of $1.56b scheduled to be completed in three years after the project was flagged off in March 2017 is nearing completion by the end of June 2019 way ahead of its scheduled date. Already, the Lagos Abeokuta axis is already in operation.
One of the callers Lateef Tiamiyu from Ogun state who called in during the poll said, ” I live in an area where railway transportation is more acceptable than any other transport system .
“Honestly speaking, Minister Rotimi Amaechi has done wonderfully well than any other minister. The ministry had worked and still seriously working on the standard gauge.”
Another caller who simply gave his name as CJ said ” mofe, good morning, my own minister is that of transport Amaechi. Ever since colonial era, we are practically seeing new rail tracks, not rehabilitated ones, Warri-Itakpe, Lagos- Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna with new coaches.”
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