Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said, if elected, he would partner the National Assembly “to review the organization, structure and operations of the Nigerian Railway Corporation”.
Tinubu who made the pledge on Thursday in Abuja during his consultative session with the Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria further promised that his administration would help decongest Apapa Port by modernizing other existing ports.
He said his administration would prioritize the completion of critical ongoing national railway projects such as: Lagos – Kano; Benin – Abakaliki; Port Harcourt – Maiduguri; Lagos – Calabar; and Kano – Maradi.
“In addition, we shall deploy technology and security assets to protect travellers and ensure the safety and integrity of our railway infrastructure.
“We will sustain the investments already made by the Buhari administration and deepen ongoing reforms in the sector. Apart from its cost-effectiveness, enhanced rail use will reduce strain and congestion on our roads and expressways thereby significantly lowering the number of vehicular accidents. My administration will also encourage State Governments to build public transportation or metro systems in their capital cities.
“The metros will link with existing national rail lines and revolutionize urban transport in Nigeria. This will boost commerce and contribute significantly to GDP growth”, he added.
The former Lagos State governor said he is committed to “realizing the immense opportunities inherent in the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the first new Sea port in decades, which is more than 90 per cent completed.”
According to a statement by his Media Office which was signed by Tunde Rahman, the APC candidate said he would further the developmental feats achieved by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the sector.
He said; “God willing, as we assume the mantle of leadership, we shall build an even more prosperous economy. This means additional investment in relevant infrastructure: Roads, Bridges, Rail, Airports, Schools, Power facilities, Hospitals and more. These will enhance efficiency, support industrial growth, spur trade and investment, and improve the Ease of Doing Business.
“My commitment to increase annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will heavily depend on the quality of the infrastructure we shall build to facilitate and sustain growth in all facets of our national life.”
He said his administration would focus on transportation infrastructure, building more roads, rails and improving water transport for easier movement of humans and goods.
“Overall, the transportation sector is valued at NGN37 trillion. Transport activities contributed 1.84% to real GDP in Q2 2022. Sustaining the political will and technical capacity to move people and goods in a safe, affordable and accessible manner will create a better future for Nigerians.
“We will, therefore, work hard to improve our various transportation systems and, in the process, unlock the value chain of opportunities therein,” he added.
The former Lagos State governor said his administration would continue the rehabilitation and expansion of existing federal roads and expressways, accelerate construction of new roads as well as the rehabilitation of existing ones through already established funding mechanisms, including accessing capital markets.
On his part, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola noted that infrastructure is the backbone of a nation’s economy, adding that if elected Asiwaju Tinubu would continue with the infrastructure rebuilding started by President Buhari.
