FG signs coastal rail contract to enhance cargo movement

The Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi, has said that the decision of the Federal Government to sign a commercial coastal rail project contract agreement with the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation, CCECC, was aimed at improving movement of persons and cargo across the nation’s seaports. The project is expected to run through the Calabar and Port Harcourt links and also extend to Onne Ports Complex in Rivers State.

The Minister made this disclosure in Lagos while speaking at the formal inauguration of the executive committee of the African Maritime Journalists Association AMJA.

Amaechi, who was represented by an official in the Ministry; Mrs. Ijeoma Adindu, restated Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the challenges that hinder seamless movement of cargo and by so doing, check port congestion.

He said: “In line with current effort at improving the efficiency of the nation’s seaports by ensuring a seamless movement of cargo within the country, the Federal Government has signed commercial contract agreements for the Calabar-Port Harcourt segment 1 extending to the Onne Seaports Complex for the coastal rail project with CCECC, the Chinese construction giant”.

According to him, it is the desire of the government to build a dynamic and virile platform through the implementation of the right policies and programmes that will advance the contribution of the maritime industry to the development of the national economy.

He also restated the commitment of the Federal Government towards the enforcement of the provision of Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, which he believes is an important pillar for homegrown capacity for the sustainable development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

The minister pointed out that strict enforcement of the Cabotage policy had become more imperative now that the government is paying attention to promoting the local content not only in the maritime industry but also in the oil and gas sector by developing indigenous potential to grow the nation’s economy, create jobs and wealth for the nation’s teeming youths for sustainable development.

Amaechi said: “We are also working towards providing opportunities for infrastructural development, harnessing potential for consolidation and other numerous economic benefits that abound in the maritime industry.

“Let me state here that the Federal Government is also committed to building a virile platform through the implementation of policies and programmes that will advance the contribution of the maritime industry to the development of the economy”, the Minister added.

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