Oct 29, 2009

FCTA to Partner Kaduna State, Private Sector on Abuja Railway Devt

Abuja — The FCT Administration is to Partner with the Kaduna State government and the Organised Private Sector on railway development within the Federal Capital Territory and the neighbouring states.

The FCT Minister, Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero made this disclosure yesterday while receiving the Kaduna State Governor, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo who paid him a courtesy visit. The Minister remarked that the rail project connecting the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State would be given attention because the project would ease transportation problem between the two important cities. According to him, the FCT Administration would give the needed support to the development of railway in order to improve transportation of goods into Abuja as one of the greatest construction sites in

Senator Aliero reiterated that rail development would not only help in the eradication of the perennial traffic congestion in the Federal Capital City but would also assist enhance the transportation of agricultural products into the city. The Minister emphasised that if rail transportation is re-activated in the country, it would not only reduce accidents on the roads but also reduce huge amount of money spent on road construction and rehabilitation. He enjoined other state governments in the federation to consider partnering with the Federal Government in order to get the ailing rail transportation system back on track for the benefit of all Nigerians. Senator Aliero assured that the Abuja light rail project would be a reality because "the FCT Administration is committed to achieving it"; noting that even the National Assembly is favourably disposed to seeing it realised as over N16 billion has been earmarked for the project in both the National and FCT 2009 budget.

"The FCT Administration is committed to the project because it would add value to economic development, not only to the Federal Capital Territory but the entire nation", he said. The Minister praised the efforts of the Kaduna State government in revitalising the Kaduna state railway lines and urged other states to emulate the good work of Governor Sambo. Speaking earlier, the Kaduna State Governor, Architect Namadi Sambo congratulated Senator Aliero over his appointment as the FCT Minister; saying that his antecedent in Kebbi State remains unequalled.The Governor urged him to continue to serve the humanity by putting in his best in the service to his fatherland. He said plans have been concluded to enhance the development of Kaduna state by constructing 'Kaduna Millennium City' comprising ten districts which design had already been completed. He, therefore, called on investors to partner with the State. Governor Sambo appealed to the FCT Administration to assist the state with expertise to fasttrack the development of the new Kaduna Millennium City Project.