The Federal Government has said that its plans to establish rail lines along coastal states across the country targeting Lagos to Calabar in Cross River state is still on course.
Speaking to Journalist in Lagos, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi confirmed that there are plans to construct rail line along the coastal corridor of the country adding that the fund for the project is still being sourced. He said that when the funds were available, the construction will commence.
He said: “We are looking for money, we have approvals for coastal rail but we are looking for money if we do not get the money we cannot start. We do not have the money yet.”
Similary, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC Engr. Fidet Okhiria also said that by the time the coastal rail lines were completed, it will bring about development in these coastal cities and create economic opportunities for the people in these areas. Okhiria said: “Commercial activities will spring up where you have rail tracks and the roads will be less used for the movement of humans and materials thus making our roads last longer, the benefit cannot be quantified.
