The Federal Government has concluded plans to pay the $2 billion counterpart funding for the Lagos-Calabar standard gauge railway which the Nigerian government signed with the Chinese government since 2009.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi in a visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Lagos.
Amaechi said, “If Jonathan had paid the money we would have gone far with the Lagos-Calabar rail, which connects Obudu to Uyo and to Aba, Port Harcourt, Yenegoa and Otuoke and back to Yenegoa, to Sapele, Agbor, Ijebuode, Ore, Sagamu and the seaport here. I know Nigerians will be tired of excuses very soon, so that’s why the president is looking for money to kick-start many of the developmental projects.
“The president wants to establish a system. Before now we do not have a system. The president gives you money when he likes your face and when he doesn’t you don’t get money. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) is part of building a system to enable government seperate funds for projects that are of federal government into the consolidated account.”
He stated that President Muhamadu Buhari’s administration was committed to developing the railways, hence the reason why the government is trying to pay so that they can start work.
