The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed the federal government has plans to embark on massive railway infrastructure development across the country, saying that works on railway lines when they start in 2016 could absorb as much as 250,000 people.He said: "The railways has suffered significant neglect even though it is the cheapest mode of transportation.The current state of railway is an indication of severe neglect and it is a chaotic situation, with government spending without any return on investment."Government will focus on railway to encourage mass transit of and cargo freights by railway.The current government is planning massive investment into the standard gauge whose constructions will begin 2016, with the Calabar-Lagos coastal railway."The minister also said from its current 1.41 per cent contribution to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP), the ministry of transportation under his leadership would work to raise transport sector's contribution to GDP, stressing that the current contribution was unacceptable.Minister Amaechi on Wednesday ended his tour of transport facilities and agencies in Lagos which he began last week, touring airport facilities at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and its environs before hebriefed journalists about his findings and the administration's plan for the sector.The minister who noted that Nigeria suffers the bane of inadequate transport infrastructure, said the federal government would use opportunities that abound in the sector to build the economy as such countries as South Korea and Singapore.
N igerians must move on together as a breakup is not an option, former Senate President, David Mark, said on Friday. “Those who are agitating for otherwise are missing the point. Nigeria has crossed many crucibles. We cannot reverse ourselves,” Mr. Mark told Kaduna State Acting Governor, Alhaji Aminu Shagali, in Kaduna. He was at the head of a delegation of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) 3rd Regular Course Alumni Association on a courtesy visit to the acting governor. “The only option is to move on in a manner that is progressive, peaceful and united,” he was further quoted as saying by his media aide, Paul Mumeh. “We may have our disagreements. But a breakup is not an option. We can resolve our differences through meaningful dialogue and genuine conversation." “There is no use heating up the polity,” the ex-Senate president added. He noted that no matter the imperfections, the nation is greater and better as an indivisible country.
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