By Abdulfatah Babatunde
The Democratic Front (TDF) has described reopening of the Lagos-Kano railway line for freight operations as a major boost for Nigeria’s economy.
Danjuma Mohammed and Wale Adedayo, the Chairman and Secretary of TDF respectively asserted this in a statement mailed to TheNewsZenith on Tuesday.
“Reopening the railway corridor indicatives President Tinubu’s silent work to fix things with minimum fuss,” the group said.
TDF said it celebrates the completion of repair works and reopening of the long-abandoned Lagos-Kano Railway line.
“Our excitement can only be understood within the context of memorable contributions of the 1,132 kilometres railway line to the nation’s economic development.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this railway corridor is the bedrock of Nigeria’s cash crop exports to the outside world.
“Rivers Niger and Benue are natural pivots in the making of Nigeria’s geo-political circumstances.
“However, the Lagos-Kano railway is a major connector for trade, political, economic, and socio-cultural relationships linking parts of Nigeria.
“It is, however, sad that succeeding administrations neglected such a critical transport infrastructure to years of decay.”
This neglect dates back to the advent of crude oil which became the mainstay of the country’s economy. The discovery became detrimental to the nation’s socioeconomic advancement.
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“The abandonment of the Lagos-Kano railway stems from the refusal of successive administrations to invest adequately in railway transportation.
“This lingered until former President Muhammadu Buhari came on board. Long years of abandonment were the beginning of the decline of Nigeria’s Economy since the 1970s.
“Happily, though, President Tinubu’s administration has taken a bold step to reverse the declining situation. He has rehabilitated the rail corridor, among other infrastructural projects.
“We are convinced that the resumption of transport operations on the Lagos-Kano route will bring back the lost glory of socio-cultural interactions among the diverse ethnic groups of Nigeria.
“The development will also drastically reduce the rising cost of food prices, and help resuscitate all dead or epileptic economic activities in markets and communities along the rail route,” the group stated.
This achievement reinforces its position that President Tinubu needed support and political stability, to put Nigeria on higher pedestal.
It also urged the organised labour to see reason with the Tinubu administration on the minimum wage crisis.
“We strongly appeal to the leadership of the unions to accept the federal government’s offer of a N62,000 minimum wage.
“Labour should also desist from any further action capable of heating up or destabilising the polity.
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