By Our Correspondent
The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Alkali, has assured staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) of improved welfare to enhance productivity.
Alkali announced the proposed welfare package during a familiarisation visit to the NRC headquarters in Ebute-Meta, Lagos.
He also assured the corporation of the ministry’s support toward realising its statutory functions.
The minister said transportation constituted a major organ in promoting economic growth globally.
”The visit is to evaluate the existing rail infrastructure and ongoing projects with particular reference to Lagos-Ibadan and Kano-Maradi modernisation project.
”The familiarisation tour of railway facilities and projects within Lagos is interesting.
”Although, there is a number of discoveries that required urgent executive action,” the minister said.
He said the ministry was working towards fixing the single track carrying containers from Lagos to Kano within three months.
”The ministry will also expand the operational scope of Kajola Rail Wagon Assembly Plants.
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”We will equally ensure the completion of Bola Tinubu Station on the standard gauge rail within three weeks,” Alkali said.
He commended China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) for establishing Rail Assembly plant at Kajola as its Corporate Social Responsibility.
The minister urged the CCECC to expand the wagon operation to include containers freight at ports, to boost economic activities.
He directed the Managing Director of NRC Property Ltd., Mr Timothy Zalanga, to provide comprehensive data of the corporation’s real estate.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Transportation would take advantage of bilateral and multilateral agreements between Nigeria and several countries on trade and transfer of technology.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr Fidet Okhiria, congratulated the minister on his new appointment.
Okhiria noted that NRC ”is the bedrock of economic growth and development in the country, through mass movement of freights and people”.
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He highlighted some challenges inhibiting operations of the corporation.
These, according to him, include security threats and vandalism of critical infrastructure.
”We, however, commend various security agencies for securing the NRC facilities for the safety of our passengers.
”I also commend the minister for visiting Idu Railway Station Abuja, which has spurred us to be more proactive,” Okhiria said.
He pleaded with the minister to use his legislative experience to achieve his mandate of railway modernisation projects.
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