The Federal government has concluded plans to build a factory in Kajola ,this year, to assemble rolling stock for now and in five years, begin manufacturing locomotives.
The Minister of transportation ,Rotimi Amaechi revealed this during his valedictory press briefing in Abuja.
The Minister said this, as well as the railway University to be built in Nigeria are part of the pet projects of his administration.
Amaechi also disclosed that currently, 60 Nigerian youths have been sent to study Railway courses in China while another set will leave in September, making a total of 300 students. He said the plan is for the students on scholarship by CCECC to study up to their Masters .
” Part of the plan is to train them to masters degree ,possibly to go to UK for PhD before coming home to lecture in the railway University.”
The Minister also said there is need to revive the 3505 KM of narrow gauge in the country as it will cost so much to achieve that distance with standard gauge.
Amaechi disclosed that 36 billion dollars has been earmarked for the central rail line which will link the western and northern rail to the southern rail. He said the Federal government will contribute 15% of equity, the contractor 10% and the balance will be sourced
Other achievements he mentioned in rail transport are, Abuja-Kaduna, Itakpe- Warri and Lagos- Ibadan rail which he said will get to the seaport by the end of the year.
In Maritime, the Minister said the decision to make NIMASA under Peter side Dakuku purely regulatory put an end to the rut in the sector and revived it.
The Director roads who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, thanked the Minister for the enabling environment granted them to do their jobs and expressed hope, that the Minister would be returned.
The high point of the event was the presentation of a memoir of the rail inspection to the Minister by Abuja Aviation and transport correspondents.
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