- TRANSPORT MINISTER TO SUPPORT METROPOLITAN RAIL IN KADUNA. 1/9/23
By: Sadiq Aminu The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Ahmed Alkali has promised to support the Kaduna State government in it’s drive to provide a metropolitan rail mass transit scheme for its citizens.
This to help with transportation challenges occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.
Sen. Alkali who made the promise during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Kaduna State Government to the Ministry in Abuja remarked that the ingenuity of the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani to place premium on a viable means of transportation should be commended and given the necessary support it deserves.
The Minister emphasised that the initiative is timely as it is in consonance with Mr. President’s charge to State Governors to proffer palliative measures to cushion the effects of petroleum subsidy removal on Nigerians.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Muhammed Sani Bello, stated that the reason for the visit was to solicit the Minister’s support on the project, stating that the train mass transit initiative was to better the lot of the people and increase the State’s revenue base.
The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria,who was present during the visit informed the Minister that Kaduna and Plateau State governments have approached the Management of NRC and indicated interest to commence the programme as a way of cushioning the effects subsidy following the high rise in transportation cost.
After detailed discussions, the Minister directed the constitution of a Technical Committee consisting of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria Railway Corporation, and the Kaduna State Government with a timeline of 5 days to produce a Memorandum of Understanding.