Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed strong desire to see train services return to the Eastern tracks after many years of inactivity, ABN TV reports.
Governor Otti stated this on Wednesday when he met with officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Eastern District, who came on a business visit to him, chief press secretary to the governor, Kazie Uko said in a statement.
Governor Otti noted that rail used to be the most viable means of transportation in the country but suddenly disappeared in the last three decades, the statement noted.
He promised that Abia would support the corporation to function in the state and requested that they continue to update him with developments regarding the on-going rehabilitation of the rail tracks in the state, Uko said further.
According to the statement, “The Governor pledged to address the request for security and further engage the people on the need to protect and safeguard railway installations in their localities.
“He warned that any person caught engaging in vandalisation of railway tracks would be dealt with.
“Earlier, the railway District Manager, Mr. Modibbo Mohammed, who led the team, said their visit was to brief the Governor about the ongoing rehabilitation of the railway tracks from Port Harcourt to Aba.
“Modibbo stated that the first phase of the laying of new rail tracks, covering 63kms from Port Harcourt to Aba, would be completed by the end of this year while the second phase from Aba to Umuahia would be delivered in the first quarter of 2024.
“He solicited the support of the Governor in tackling the issue of vandalisation of the rail tracks stacked in some locations in the state and appealed for a patrol vehicle to assist them in security.
“Mr. Modibbo said that the railway services when fully operational would create jobs for the youths as well as provide alternative means of transportation to the populace.
“He commended the Governor for the massive infrastructural development witnessed in the state within his short time in office.