Skip to main content

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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Home nations fined by Fifa over poppy displays

England have been fined 45,000 Swiss francs for several breaches of Fifa's rules about displaying political symbols, the sport's governing body have confirmed. The national team wore poppies on black armbands during their match with Scotland, despite being warned not to by Fifa, costing the Football Association just over £35,000. Prior to kick-off, both teams participated in a minute's silence and members of the armed forces lay wreaths. The Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales have each been fined 20,000 Swiss francs (£15,692) and the Irish Football Association 15,000 Swiss francs (£11,769) for similar offences All of the associations were warned by to the World Cup qualifiers that they would be punished if they chose to ignore Fifa's regulations on the matter.     England has been fined CHF 45,000 for several incidents in the framework of the England v Scotland match, including the display by the host association, the English team and s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Buhari confirms appointment of Niger Delta Power Holding’s CEO

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of a substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and two Executive Directors for the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC). Joseph Chiedu Ugbowho was in an acting capacity is now the substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company. Others are Mallam Babayo Shehu, Executive Director (Finance and Administration) and Engr. Ife Oyedele, Executive Director (Engineering and Technical Services). A statement signed by Bolaji Adebiyi, Director (Press),Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said Mr. Ugbo is a legal practitioner and infrastructure regulations specialist with extensive experience in electricity industry reform and privatization. “He has Bachelor and Master of Law Degrees from the University of Lagos and was admitted to practice Law in Nigeria in 1991. For over 15 years, he provided legal advisory services to public sector power entities including legal support t...
Post a Comment
Read more

N’ Delta: How Adaka Boro was tried, convicted

Adaka Boro came into prominence in 1966 when proclaimed an Independent Niger Delta Peoples’ Republic with a flag and an emergency constitution. He paraded himself as the General Officer Commanding the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (DVS) and leader of the Liberation Government. Due to Boro’s intense agitation for resource control, it was learnt that he formed a band of fighters and allegedly trained them in the use of explosives and arms. Sometimes in March 1966, Boro, armed with a theory he called XYZ, declared Ijaw Republic thus: “Today is a great day, not only in your lives, but in the history of the Niger Delta. We are going to demonstrate to the world what and how we feel about oppression”. The activist and his followers also allegedly attacked a police station, blew up the armoury and took rifles and ammunition. They also reportedly blew up oil pipelines and engaged the police in a gun battle. Boro and two of his followers, Samuel Timipre Owonaru and Nottingham Dick were arrested ...
Post a Comment
Read more