EXCERPTS: Address by Vice President @ProfOsinbajo at the official ground-breaking ceremony of the Rail Wagon Assembly Plant in Kajola, Ogun State on Saturday November 9, 2019 #RailUPng
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“The plant, a private investment undertaken by CCECC,is an important project for so many reasons. It is central in the production of rolling stock spare parts & maintenance equipment needed for the railway modernization programme being implemented by the @MBuhari administration.”
“By linking our ports to rail lines and now, building the rolling stock locally, import and export business within and out of Africa’s largest market will be completely transformed.”
“When completed, it is expected that the plant would produce some parts of the wagons for the Lagos – Ibadan and Abuja – Kaduna rail lines, but also for the central rail lines and to satisfy the needs of other rail operators within the West-African sub-region.”
“The citing of the plant here in Nigeria & commitment to hiring Nigerians & Nigerian businesses affirms the President’s directives in Executive Order 5 on prioritizing Nigerians & Nigerian businesses in the innovation, production & procurement of engineering projects & services.”
“The plant would offer an important platform for engineers, technicians, artisans and other professionals to gain the specialized skills required for the production and maintenance of rolling stock.”
“This will invariably conduce to spin-off businesses in the region of operation in particular and across the country wherever rail networks are in existence. The plant is expected to generate about five thousand (5,000) direct and indirect jobs.”
“I have a message also for you from the President and this is to CCECC which is that we expect that you move on very quickly to the next phase of this project which is the assembly and construction of coaches and locomotives.”
“After completing the Abuja – Kaduna Railway project in July 2016, this administration commenced construction works on the Lagos – Ibadan Railway modernization project in March 2017, ... “
“... following which we initiated the rehabilitation and completion of the abandoned Itakpe – Ajaokuta – Warri rail line which was started over three decades ago.”
“Last month, we signed an agreement with Messrs China Railway Construction Company International to construct the Itakpe – Ajaokuta rail line which will be extended from Itakpe to Abuja through Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State with a branch line to Lokoja in Kogi State.”
”This rail line will link into the new Warri sea port being constructed under the agreement.”
“Also, we are optimizing the Lagos-Ibadan rail modernization project by extending it to Apapa Port, the nation’s busiest port, for efficient movement of cargo from the port to various destinations.”
”This will expedite import/export flows, decongest the ports, and depressurize our roads in the process.”
“Also, we are putting all mechanisms in place to achieve the swift completion of the Ibadan Inland Dry Port which will off-take containers and cargoes from Apapa Port through the Lagos – Ibadan rail line.”
“Let me commend the Federal Ministry of Transportation led by the very able & dynamic Hon. Minister of Transportation,(today he is Rotimi since we are in the South West) for the very hard work & commitment he has demonstrated from the inception of our rail modernization project.”
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