A former Senator and Chairman, Dynasty Airline, Adesoji Akanbi has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of Ibadan-Kano standard gauge rail line project.
Akanbi, who represented Oyo South Senatorial District between 2015-2019 informed that the project will enhance the movement of goods and people more cheaply and efficiently between the two regions.
This commendation follows the disclosure made recently by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi at the third Maritime Stakeholders Interactive Forum.
In a chat with newsmen in Ibadan, the state capital, the APC Chieftain also lauded the Minister for being a patriotic Nigerian; acknowledging his origin, walking the talk and keeping to his promises made to Nigerians.
“Railway transport is doubtless the most important and effective means of land transportation and plays an un-substitutable role in the socio-economic development of all economic powers. The standard gauge rail system is coming with huge economic benefits to Nigeria”, he said.
Akanbi, while commending President Buhari for the transformation brought to Oyo state, added that it is a testimonial to the buildup of his quality representation that contributed immensely to the actualization of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line project; stressing that this goes a long way to show that it is important to have credible and effective representation.
While speaking on the ripple effects of the rail line in the region, he said, “any leader who supports the welfare of people in your state should be supported. President Muhammadu Buhari would always work towards creating an enabling environment for purposeful and visionary projects that will bring a lot of good to the society. When people like us are supporting him, there are reasons for it.
“Without a doubt, the construction and operation period of this project will create many derived job opportunities for Nigerians, especially our people in Ibadan; Oyo state in such areas as material manufacturing, material and equipment supply, subcontract and catering services, amongst others”.
He also indicated that “to ensure timely completion of the project, local companies will have to participate in specialized subcontract works, in such areas as geographical exploration, drilling boreholes, building bridges and culverts, fire control, construction of fences, laying continuous power lines and so on.
“It is expected that the project will extensively utilize locally manufactured materials like cement and rebar, as well as imported ones like diesel, bitumen, lubricant and tyres, etc. All of these and more will bring a boost to the economy of Oyo State”.
Senator Akanbi also spoke of his meeting with the Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, to whom he reiterated that the two rail stations at Omi-Adio in Ido local government and Moniya in Akinyele local government will not be adequate for Ibadan. He stressed that the distance between these two places is quite wide and thus pleaded with the corporation to locate a new and major station between the two areas.
“Investment in rail transport is one of the good moves by the government to resuscitate our sleeping economy and this can only bode well for Nigeria,” the APC chieftain declared.
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