kingsley Kanayo
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi says the federal government is set to reorganise the railway sub sector of the transport industry as a way of creating more jobs for Nigerians.
Amaechi, who stated this during the weekend, said the government plans to embark on what he called “massive railway infrastructure developments” this year, which will lead to creation of additional 250,000 jobs for Nigerians.
He promised that the Ministry of Transportation under his leadership would work to raise transport sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) from the current 1.41 per cent.
He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s plans for Nigerians, especially in the area of job creation can be actualised through the transport industry, which he said has the capacity to contribute more to the nation’s GDP.
“The railways have suffered significant neglect even though it is the cheapest mode of transportation. The current state of railway is an indication of severe neglect and it is a chaotic situation, with government spending without any return on investments.
“Government will focus on railway to encourage mass transit of and cargo freights by railway. The current government is planning massive investment into the standard gauge whose constructions will begin 2016, with the Calabar-Lagos coastal railway” Amaechi explained.
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