The Minister of Transformation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, has disclosed that work on the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern rail line has been affected by insecurity and vandalisation of property of the railway corporation.
Sambo, who was speaking during the ministerial inspection tour of the project over the weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers, added that the contractor handling the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the project, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), has complained of attacks on its workers along the rail corridor, a statement signed by the director of press and public relations, Eric Ojiekwu disclosed.
Sambo, who was displeased by these acts, condemned them in strong terms, pointing out that in the history of Nigeria, no administration has invested more in rail infrastructure than the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He used the opportunity to call on the media and the judiciary to collaborate with the ministry to ensure that these economic saboteurs are not only exposed but prosecuted and sentenced speedily to serve as a deterrent to others.
Sambo called news making the rounds about the diversion of funds for the rail line to other projects “fake news” and insisted that the progress made so far stemmed from the 15 per cent counterpart funding by Nigeria while the 85 per cent to be provided by foreign partners is still being negotiated.
Another area visited was the Naval Ship Yard, Port Harcourt where, after the tour, Sambo promised to support the Navy to build the boats needed for the maritime sector.
