The Federal Government has been lauded for the functioning Warri-Itakpe rail but urged to extend the rail to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja before 2023.
President Muhammadu Buhari, it will be recalled, had recently virtually inaugurated the 326 Km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line for commercial operation and directed the Ministry of Transportation to ensure that all the nation’s ports were linked to the rail line.
Making the appeal, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain and former Delta State gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, in a chat with Tribune Online after making a trip from Warri to Itakpe, commended FG’s initiative of completing the rail project that commenced over 30 years ago.
He stated that the completion of the Itakpe-Warri phase of the project by President Buhari’s administration will bring succour to low-income earners in the axis, as it will make the movement of both humans and goods faster, safer and cheaper.
Onuesoke pointed out that the rail line network, which connects Delta, Edo to Kogi states, will make goods coming through Warri ports be easily evacuated as FG is highly committed to opening businesses in the area and decongest the Lagos port which is becoming a source of worry to Nigerians.
He stated that he was impressed by the train timetable which took off from August 1st, saying ” the Warri-Itakpe rail will boost commercial activities thereby generating revenue for both the Federal and state government.”
An elated Onuesoke added that it will equally galvanise commercial potential of the communities, young people, existing businesses and economic blueprints of various states the trail traverses.
While urging President Buhari to stand by his promise of extending the Warri-Itakpe rail to Abuja before the expiration of his tenure in 2023, he advised primary beneficiaries of the transportation backbone, including the iron and steel sector, stakeholders in agricultural and mining sectors on this corridor, as well as the host communities to protect and sustain the infrastructure for their maximize benefits.
