The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi on Friday
apologised to Nigerians over the suspension of the Iju-Abeokuta free
train ride during the 2019 general elections.
apologised to Nigerians over the suspension of the Iju-Abeokuta free
train ride during the 2019 general elections.
Amaechi tendered the apology during the monthly rail inspection
of the Lagos-Ibadan modernisation project in Ibadan.
of the Lagos-Ibadan modernisation project in Ibadan.
He said that the China Civil Engineering Construction
Corporation (CCECC) suspended the three months free train ride due to security
and safety of passengers.
Corporation (CCECC) suspended the three months free train ride due to security
and safety of passengers.
“It was suspended by the Chinese and the excuse they gave me was
that they cannot allow it run because of safety, since they have not completed
the second line but they are almost through with it.
that they cannot allow it run because of safety, since they have not completed
the second line but they are almost through with it.
“It is almost completed from Iju to Abeokuta. I want to
apologise to Nigerians that they suspended it when they left the country, which
I didn’t envisage, they will go back soon,” Amechi said.
apologise to Nigerians that they suspended it when they left the country, which
I didn’t envisage, they will go back soon,” Amechi said.
Speaking on his passion for the project, Amaechi said that the
responsibility was given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari, which must
be delivered to create jobs and boost the economy.
responsibility was given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari, which must
be delivered to create jobs and boost the economy.
“I know you will say I’m stressed up but as a minister, I have a
responsibility passed to me by Mr President and I must deliver on it.
responsibility passed to me by Mr President and I must deliver on it.
“Also, the economy of Nigeria can be driven most
importantly, if we can link the seaport to hinterland because when
cargoes come, they must go.
importantly, if we can link the seaport to hinterland because when
cargoes come, they must go.
“The more you are able to move goods and services to hinterland,
the more you will create jobs and the more you create jobs, the more growth
that you will have and that is my drive,” he said.
the more you will create jobs and the more you create jobs, the more growth
that you will have and that is my drive,” he said.
The minister, however, said that he was always passionate about
his job, stating that if a new minister would takeover, his was sure that
the person would have the passion to complete the project.
his job, stating that if a new minister would takeover, his was sure that
the person would have the passion to complete the project.
“You see, me and passion, if you watched me as the governor of
Rivers, that same passion was there. I was restless at delivering my
responsibility.
Rivers, that same passion was there. I was restless at delivering my
responsibility.
“I pray that whoever will be the Minister of Transportation
should have the same passion and focus on that responsibility.
should have the same passion and focus on that responsibility.
“You can never tell, that passion is everywhere,” he
said.(NAN)
said.(NAN)
