The Minister of Transportation, Engr Mu’azu Sambo has scored President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) high in infrastructure development in the country.
He disclosed that no government has invested more in infrastructural development than the current administration.
Sambo made this known over the weekend in Lagos when he undertook an inspection tour of facilities in Tin-Can, Apapa ports and the Mobolaji Johnson train station, Ebutte-Meta. He acknowledged that despite the tremendous achievements of the Buhari administration, there’s still a lot to be done.
“I have seen all the subsequent governments in this country, believe me and it’s an assignment for you journalists. There is no administration in this country that has invested in infrastructure like the Buhari government,” he said.
On the issue of the dilapidated Tin-Can and Apapa access roads, the minister said that he would liaise with the Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola to see how the roads can be fixed.
“Unfortunately, the things we have to do are not only those for the Ministry of Transportation. You saw when we got down at Ijora, [at] the beginning of Ijora Causeway, we had to look at how bad the road is. So, we’re going to talk to our colleagues at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, synergise with them and ensure that the road is more motorable once again,” Sambo said.
Concerning the kidnapped victims of the ill-fated March 28, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna bound train the minister disclosed that the government is working assiduously to secure their release.
He further noted that despite the huge economic loss, it will be insensitive to run the trains while the victims are still in captivity.
At Sifax Group, an indigenous company, the minister lauded them not only for creating employment but for helping to decongest the ports. Sambo promised to do all he can to support the maritime industry because “if we get the maritime industry right, we will not depend on oil”.
Other areas visited were the NPA facility with a special interest in its ultra-modern simulation centre and the Ebutte-Metta train station.
In attendance were the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani; Director, rail transport services, Federal Ministry of Transportation Yusuf Jimoh; Director, transport planning and coordination, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Mercy Ilori; Director, legal services, Federal Ministry of Transportation Pius Oteh; Director, maritime services, Federal Ministry of Transportation Babatunde Sule; Director, press and public relations, Federal Ministry of Transportation Eric Ojiekwe; Managing director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria; Director-general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, amongst others.
