By Ahmed Idris
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved $500 million for the purchase of coaches, wagons and locomotives for Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri railways, Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Ameachi, has said.
The minister, who disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the weekly FEC meeting in Abuja, dismissed statements in some quarters that the railway projects were only being executed in the north and south-west parts of the country.
He warned against politicising the railway projects, saying that the federal government was sourcing for more funds to enable it execute railway projects across the country.
“Let think Nigeria. Why I said let think Nigeria is that the federal government has said we have no money but we are going to borrow to ensure that we get to all the state capitals and we are in the process of getting that loan.
“But we are getting pressure from all sides politicising the railway projects. Railway projects should not be politicised, it should be left as an economic driver. It drives even oil because if you import liquid cargo (of oil) we transport it by rail,’’ he said.
The minister said the council also approved the rehabilitation of Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and the procurement of patrol boats for Nigerian Ports Authority to provide security in the nation’s water ways.
Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said the council also approved N2.67 billion to fortify security at University of Maiduguri.
He said the amount would be used to fence the university and secure it from possible attacks from outsiders.
Shehu said the council also approved a new Nigerian Minerals and Mining Bill 2017, and would soon be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval.
He said the council also approved the rehabilitation of Zaria-Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto-Birnin Kebbi road.
