Why CCECC stopped PH-Maiduguri rail project – Sambo
The Port Harcourt- Maiduguri eastern rail line project has been suspended over insecurity and vandalism of railway properties along the corridor.
Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, made this known on Friday while on inspection tour of the project in Rivers State.
Sambo said that the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), the contractor handling the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the project, complained of attacks on its workers along the Abia State axis.
The minister, who expressed displeasure over these acts, said that in the history of Nigeria no administration had invested more in rail infrastructure like the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He used the opportunity to call on the media and the judiciary to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that these economic saboteurs are not only exposed but prosecuted and sentenced speedily to serve as deterrent to others.
On the issue that funds meant for the Eastern rail line is diverted to other projects, the Minister said it was fake news as the progress made so far was from the 15% of the counterpart funding by Nigeria, while the 85% to be provided by foreign partners was still being negotiated.
