The Federal Government Thursday said the South-East geo-political zone was not excluded from its ongoing rail projects. The Federal Government also noted that its major rail projects are; Lagos to Calabar and Lagos to Kano.
The Lagos – Calabar will traverse Lagos-Shagamu-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenegoa with siding to Otuoke-Port Harcourt-Aba-Uyo-calabar and branch line from Benin City-Abudu-Onitsha including Onitsha rail bridge.
The Lagos – Kano rail Project will traverse Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan-Oshogbo-Ilorin-Jebba-Minna-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano with branch line from Minna-Abuja and Abuja-Kaduna.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the Director of Press of the ministry, Yetunde Sonaike.
The Ministry also stated that the China Exim Bank loan would be used to fund three segments from the rail project.
According to the statement: “Lagos-Ibadan: Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan with extension to Apapa Port Complex (Segment 2 of Lagos – Kano), Kano-Kaduna (Segment 3A of Lagos – Kano) and Calabar – Port Harcourt: Port Harcourt-Aba-Uyo-Calabar with extension to Onne Deep Sea Port (Segment 1 of the Coastal rail Line).
“From the foregoing, it can be deduced that the Federal Government rail projects touches various sections of the country and therefore no section is or will be left out.
“The Present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari remain committed to serving the nation and determined to reviving the rail infrastructure thereby ensuring ease of movement of people and cargoes within the country.
It added: “The rail project is aimed at fast- tracking economic diversification as well as optimizing the Federal Government change agenda in the transportation sector which will serve as an economic index for growth and development.”