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Tag: Amaechi

  • 2023: Amaechi, Malami, others must resign now – ZLP demands

    2023: Amaechi, Malami, others must resign now – ZLP demands

    Miffed by the continued retainership of their positions in government while actively campaigning for elective posts in 2023 polls, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the immediate resignation of his cabinet members aspiring for electoral offices.

    The resolution, which was obtained by thenewsguru.ng, was reached after its National Executive Committee meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

    The resolution was signed by the National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu.

    The party also chastised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their costly nomination fees, which, it said, would cause successful aspirants to loot the National Treasury when they become successful at the polls.

    ALSO READ: APC bars Amaechi, Malami, Akpabio, others from voting at Nat’l Convention

    The ZLP cited section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act (2022), through which the party lamented President Buhari’s continued silence over the refusal of his ministers and other appointees seeking electoral offices to resign from their current positions.

    Thenewsguru.com understands the section above provides thus: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

    But it is currently a subject of litigation at the Federal High Court Abuja where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is praying the court to restrain the National Assembly from deleting the section from the Act allegedly at the instance of the President.

    The party noted that its NEC condemned the president’s silence on the attitude of appointees in the government, adding that it is absurd as it has never happened in the country’s political history.

    The ZLP stressed that the development raises a morality question and expressed belief that there should be moral content in politics. “President Muhammadu Buhari, this is not right,” it chides.

    It stated; “The NEC, therefore, calls on the president to direct all those who have indicated interest to run to resign immediately. It shouldn’t be happening under his watch.

    ALSO READ: 2023: APC, ZLP begin merger talks to PDPs Makinde
    “This is not right. It should not be accepted by you. Act as we know you to direct them to resign their position and go contest the positions they want. This is the position of most Nigerians. It is not right and we should not allow it to be a part of our political culture,” it concluded.

    Thenewsguru.com understands that the party’s stand became apparent as the continued stay of those aspiring for political positions in next year’s election is capable of causing confusion and clog the court systems in the aftermath of polls and post – election cases in the tribunals.

    Many close watchers of the current trends in the nation’s march to 2023 polls, said such attitude was capable of encouraging future office holders to trample of the letters of the law by whim.

    Also, the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division has fixed May 10 for the hearing of the application of the National Assembly on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Umuahia which ordered deletion of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act.

    Buhari sees the section as a contravention of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

  • 2023: I am loyal to Buhari, the APC – Amaechi says

    2023: I am loyal to Buhari, the APC – Amaechi says

    A Presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed his loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC.

    Amaechi, in a statement, said this at a consultative meeting with executives, delegates and other party faithful at the Rivers APC Secretariat on Friday.

    The Minister of Transportation indicated that in his bid to become the President of Nigeria, which he is thoroughly qualified for, he was neither desperate nor disloyal.

    The two terms governor of Rivers said it was sad that many politicians did not understand the concept of loyalty.

    “Loyalty is not when you are not chosen, you become disloyal, loyalty means you follow the man that leads you, that you have surrendered to his leadership.

    ”If you don’t follow, it means you are not loyal, you are only benefitting from the man politically and economically. The day he’s not able to give you that economic reality, is the day you become disloyal.

    “I am a very loyal person, and those who are disloyal, I wish them well, those who want to do whatever they want to do, I wish them well,” he said.

    According to him, the opportunity will be given to everybody and all will run this presidential election.

    “We will run and I am loyal to the President and I am loyal to the Party.

    ”If the party says it is me, thank God. If the party says it is not me, whoever the party chooses, I will support.

    ”If the Party and President chooses anybody, I will support the person, if the party chooses me, I will be glad and say thank God,” Amaechi said.

    On his part, Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Emeka Beke, assured Amaechi of the party’s support and votes in the presidential primaries.

    “Sir, go home and sleep, Rivers delegates will vote for you, and I know my brothers who are statutory delegates will vote for you.

    “This is because all of us seated here today from Rivers State have benefitted from you, from your leadership and this is the time to pay you back. We will stand with you.

    “Let me use this opportunity to thank our brothers from other states, who have stood by our leader, Amaechi, I thank all of you. God Almighty will stand with you as you have chosen to stand by him.

    “But one thing I will tell you is that our leader is a man of one word. When he says yes, his yes is yes, when he says no, his no is no, and I know that he’s a man that will not forget all of you that stood by him.

    ” By the grace of God you will be the presidential flag bearer, I will be the chairman that will produce Mr President, I will be the Chairman that will produce governor of Rivers State,” he said.

    Amaechi also visited the Paramount ruler of Rebisi Kingdom in Port Harcourt, Eze Victor Woluchem, who expressed delight over his decision to run for the office of President in 2023.

    While welcoming Amaechi, Woluchem commended his developmental strides in the state and the country at large.

    “Your Excellency, Rivers State loves you for a reason. Your developmental projects has impacted and continues to impact our people and are all over the State for people to see.”

    “I might not be able to enumerate all that you have done for this country.

    ”Nationally, as Minister of Transportation, you have put Nigeria on the map as a country with modern railway system, with modern Seaport and facilities to enhance our waterways and the industrialisation that comes with it.

    “Indeed the history of this state will be incomplete without the mention of your name. Nigerians are excited over the likely possibility of a Rotimi Amaechi Presidency.

    ” You are indeed a champion among equals, therefore, there is no doubt that you are the right person to take over the mantle of the leadership of this great nation come 2023,” paramount ruler said.

  • 2023 Elections: Ohaneze endorses Wike, Amaechi for presidency

    2023 Elections: Ohaneze endorses Wike, Amaechi for presidency

    Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has endorsed the candidacy of Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike for 2023 presidency.

    The group noted that it it would not be out of place for either Rotimi Amaechi or Nyesom Wike to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    Ohaneze made their position known In a statement released by the group and signed by its Secretary-General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro

    Isiguzoro said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide had broadened its search for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction beyond the scope of the South-East zone to include “our own in the South-South Nigeria.”

    According to him, “it became necessary for the Igbo to jettison artificial separation through boundary adjustment by the Military and then reunite with our kith and kin in the Niger-Delta region.”

    He noted that “the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution written by our founding fathers, in their wisdom, enshrined that Anioma in Delta and Ikwerre in Rivers State are part of Igbo speaking States, as we have seen in Late Amb Raph Uwechue and late Col Joe Achuzia from Anioma in Delta State, who led Ohanaeze Ndigbo as President-General and Secretary-General, respectively, likewise Dim Uche Okwukwu from Ikwerre in Rivers State, who is the immediate past Secretary-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo”.

    Isiguzoro added that, “Governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi are still very much in the race as core igbo presidential hopefuls but reiterated that it’s still not out of place if the duo of Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike contest as Ikwerre under APC and PDP respectively.

    “Moreover, Obio Akpo and Mbiama are part of Ikwerre, Igbo speaking part of Rivers State, and we are very committed to Igbo aspirations for the Presidency. You also know that the next leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will come from Rivers State in 2025″.

    Isiguzoro however, made it clear that Ohaneze hasn’t decided on who to support for the 2023 presidency.

    Findings show that decision-making organ of Ohanaeze Ndigbo) will take decision on the 2023 election after the Presidential Primaries in the APC and the PDP.

    Isiguzoro however noted that the outcome of the primaries will determine their next line of action but congratulates all presidential hopefuls.

    “But right now, the Ohanaeze leadership congratulates all Igbo presidential hopefuls from the Southeast and the South-South. Nigeria will be better if any of these aspirants succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    “We are calling for consensus among the contenders in the APC and the PDP to allow Igbo to be the consensus flag bearers in both leading political parties,” he further stated.

  • 2023: Rotimi Amaechi storms Ile- Ife to consult Ooni

    2023: Rotimi Amaechi storms Ile- Ife to consult Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has equated leadership positions to that of a steward, who is meant to serve others.

    Ogunwusi stated on Monday this at his Ile Oodua Palace, Enuwa, Ile-Ife, while playing host to the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.

    The minister, who led a high-powered team to Ile-Ife, was on a courtesy visit to the Ooni as part of his presidential bid consultation.

    The Ooni described the minister as one of the luckiest politicians in the country, pointing out that Nigerians had a lot to gain from his wealth of experience.

    “You have been relevant since the start of this republic; it is for a reason and I urge you to use that grace for the betterment of all Nigerians.

    “What is obvious in your team is the inclusion of women, I am proud of this and I want you to keep doing more in this regard.

    “Women are so powerful, especially when given leadership opportunities, they see what we men do not see,” the Ooni said.

    Earlier in his address, Amaechi lauded the oba for preserving and upholding the prestigious Yoruba culture.

    He said that governance of the country had a lot to benefit from the traditional institution.

    He said that he decided to start his consultation and visitation from Ile-Ife because “the ancient city is the Source.

    “If elected as Nigeria’s president in 2023, I will sit down with the National Assembly to address the relevance of the traditional institution in Nigeria.

    “There is need to consult our traditional rulers in order to bring governance closer to the people,” the presidential aspirant said.

    On his presidential ambition, Amaechi, who is 56-year-old, described himself as the bridge between the young and the older generations in the country, adding that he was the most qualified.

    “With due respect to my brothers in APC, PDP and other political parties, I am the most qualified in this present race.

    “I am grateful to God for the opportunities given to me over the years,” he he said.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Ali Ndume, who is the chair of Amaechi campaign team, led other dignitaries to the palace.

  • NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on tickets – Amaechi

    NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on tickets – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to handover tickets and passengers’ identification to Secure ID, the company in charge of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna rail service.

    According to Amaechi, this will help in reducing incidents of crime and also curb security challenges on the route.

    ‘What the National Assembly told me is that NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on the tickets’

    Amaechi said this when the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission(ICRC) visited and presented the Full Business Case Certificates (FBC) for the Lagos- Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri E-Ticketing service, to him in Abuja.

    He said the introduction of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna, blocked all revenue leakages and increased generated revenue on the route from about N100million to N400million monthly.

    “The benefits of the E-Ticketing is that we rose from N100million to N400 million per month, which is an improvement.

    “We have been able to do something that will eliminate leakages.

    “The one I think I may disagree with the public, is the issue of ticket racketeering, I have spoken with the person in charge of Abuja-Kaduna e- ticket platform to take over the identification process from NRC.

    “Because what the National Assembly told me is that NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on the tickets. They wanted to do it, but they have not gotten the approval from NRC.

    “So, I have told NRC to allow them do it, so that we match faces with the names, it’s not all about crime alone but is also security, so we release it to those security outlets.

    “Even though we cannot eliminate 100 percent crime and corruption, it will reduce the danger of having to run into security crises.

    ”So, that we know that what we are battling with is not crises in our terminals, but on the way and I believe that, that also will be sorted out as we go to cabinet for approval of the security gadgets, “Amaechi said.

    While presenting the FBC, Mr Michael Ohiani, the Acting Director-General of the ICRC, he however said that the concession was for a period of ten years.

    According to Ohiani, it will generate over N140billion for the country during the period and also help create over 3000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

    “The concession is for 10 years. It is going to generate over N140billion to the Federal Government, most importantly, it will also create job opportunities for over 3000 direct and indirect jobs.

    ” The next phase is for the Hon. Minister to take it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and the Ministry of Justice will now clear it, “Ohiani said.

  • 2023: My experience will count if elected president – Amaechi

    2023: My experience will count if elected president – Amaechi

    Presidential hopeful and Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that if elected as the APC Presidential flag bearer and eventually wins in the general elections he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in securing, and advancing the nation’s economy.

    Amaechi explained that having been in public office for over two decades, he possessed the requisite knowledge and technical know-how to tackle insecurity, and provide better governance for Nigerians.

    Amaechi stated this when he paid a courtesy visit on the Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, at the Katsina State Government House, Monday.

    Amaechi, while also recounting his achievements as Rivers Governor, said he was able to tackle insecurity, champion development and stabilize the Rivers economy, assuring that such feat would be replicated if he is elected for the country’s topmost job.

    He said, “Your Excellency, you are the first Governor I’m visiting after declaring to run for the President of Nigeria in 2023, I will visit others as I progress with my consultations. I have visited three to four Emirates, two in the area you superintend over, and two in Kano. I have come to also brief you on how far we’ve gone with the railway assignment given to us by Mr. President. And the third reason is to tell you that I am interested to run for the office of the President of Nigeria.

    “I think I’m qualified, and I happen to be the only candidate in the race who governed a State where there was militancy, so I have experience of how to manage militancy. Between six months and one year of occupying the office of Governor of the State, the militancy reduced tremendously. Schools were opened, market women were able to go back to the markets, kidnapping reduced drastically and business returned. Foreign companies came back, Shell reopened, in fact by the time I was leaving, Total was trying to transfer their headquarters to Port Harcourt. Unfortunately when I left, they couldn’t manage it, so Total moved back to Abuja. But LNG returned their headquarters to Port Harcourt during my tenure as governor, Shell relocated their headquarters to Port Harcourt. So we have experience, for somebody who has been in office for eight years as Governor, eight years as Speaker, seven years as Minister, I chaired the Governor’s forum, I chaired the Speakers forum, I also was the DG of the campaign of President Buhari twice. I would bring that experience to bear if given the opportunity.

    “For me, the Governors are critical in getting that opportunity and there’s need to talk to your colleagues to assist us to achieve that objective,” Amaechi said.

    Responding, Governor Masari said he had no doubt about the Minister’s leadership qualities. He also used the occasion to wish him well in his political aspiration.

    “To me, you are not a person that needs any introduction. We have come a long way. I have no doubt in your character and in you ability and in you inclusiveness. We have discussed this privately, now you have come to formally declare your intention to contest for the office of the President of your country, which I feel you are qualified, and I hope you will play politics like a modern politician, because the way our politics is been played for quite some time, there is need for change of attitude, change of approach, change of style, so that we should treat the current situation of today with today’s solutions, not today’s problem with yesterday’s solutions.

    “Like you know, I wish you well. You were there for me when I needed support and I appreciate and recognize that. You have a good chance. The experience, you have it, the service years, you have it and the rest we leave it to God because he is the ultimate decider. I wish you well,” the Governor said.

    As part of his political consultations in the North West, the Minister also visited the Emirs of Daura, Katsina, Bichi and Kano. Those in his entourage include Senators Ali Ndume, Sadiq Yar’Adua and Ayogu Eze. Others are Chief David Lyon and former APC Chairmanship Contestant, Saliu Mustapha.

  • Amaechi joins presidential race, insists he is an Igbo man

    Amaechi joins presidential race, insists he is an Igbo man

    The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has finally joined the league of those gunning for President Muhammadu Buhari’s job in 2023.

    Amaechi, two-term governor of Rivers State and Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, said he is in the race because he is “qualified to serve.”

    Though Amaechi is yet to formally declare his aspiration, his manifesto, which will be made public soon.

    “What is required is for us to continue to work towards a nation in which the doors of opportunity are open to all our citizens irrespective of ethnicity, creed, class or circumstance.”

    Speculations have been rife that the minister, one of the closest political allies of President Muhammadu Buhari, may run for the presidency in 2023.

    But he has never denied nor acknowledged that he was interested in the race.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Amaechi has been consulting behind the scene and building bridges of understanding. Observers are of the view that given the huge support base he has managed to put together he has become one od the top contenders for the APC presidential flag.

    APC has zoned the presidential slot to the South for the 2023 presidential elections.

    So far, only former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has formally declared his interest in the race.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is also believed to be interest in vying for the party’s presidential ticket but he is still keeping his aspiration close to his chest.

    Observers are of the view that entrance of Amaechi into the race will definitely change the fundamentals of the race.

    This is more so as some of the new National Executives members who came on board at the recently concluded Convention of the party were actually his sympathizers.

    A chieftain of the APC, Amaechi was elected governor twice on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but left for the then opposition party shortly before the 2015 general elections.

    Titled, “Qualified to Serve,” the 86-page brochure, which is his pitch for the APC ticket, highlighted why he decided to contest – his competitive advantages, broad and deep experiences in governance, nationalist outlook, geopolitical considerations, political prowess, personality and leadership, track record of performance, highlights of achievements as Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transportation and what he called “hallmarks of Amaechi’s leadership.”

    In what seems like an attempt to address the issue of inclusion, Amaechi said: “We must give meaning to democracy so that every Nigerian can find a place and a voice in a land of free men and women. We must deploy our diversity to increase our strength. We must make our streets and highways, and now forests and farmlands, safe again for all Nigerians to fulfill their individual dreams of a good life so that, together, we can actualize the manifest destiny of this blessed land.”

    Itemising the focus of his campaign, Amaechi said, “We need to quickly replace the politics of impressions and personalities with the politics of issues and ideas. We must seek common ground on broad national issues on a bipartisan basis, not on the basis of personalities or geopolitical zones, tribes or factions.

    “The common ground must be based on a dispassionate grasp of national problems: how do we educate our children, heal the sick, give hope to those in despair, provide succour to the needy and find work for the unemployed? How do we build infrastructure that will quickly transform and modernize our economy for the good of all Nigerians?

    Amaechi said courage, stamina, and resilience are some of the virtues that make him tower above others.

    Addressing the question of his Igbo identity he said, “My birth names are Igbo names Chibuike Amaechi. I am an Igbo man. Let no one deny me my Igbo heritage, birthright, ancestry, please!

    “Unless you want to be sectional and deny the Igbo people. I have made myself clear repeatedly, that I, Chibuike Amaechi from Ikwerre, am an Igbo man. Our people are Igbo people.”

    The minister urged his party, the APC, to look towards Ndigbo for the 2023 presidential ticket.

    “As APC prepares to conduct the primaries to choose the party’s flagbearer, they must pay attention to all the geopolitical factors at play.

    “Understandably, there is a strong push for power to shift to the South in 2023 and specifically to the Igbos. Igbos have not been at the centre since the Second Republic more than 40 years ago, when late Alex Ekwueme was Vice President in the Shehu Shagari Administration. Not surprisingly there is loud agitation from the Igbos that they should have their turn to lead the government.

    “Other groups are also pleading the case of the Igbos in the name of equity and the stability of the country. Leader of Pan Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has warned that Igbos should produce the president in 2023 election, if Nigeria hopes to enjoy peace. The Association of Arewa Community in Igboland has also urged Nigerians to consent to an Igbo becoming the President of the country in 2023.

    “Chibuike Amaechi is an Igbo man of Ikwerre stock. His hometown Ubima is on the border of Imo State and the fact that Nigeria’s modern geopolitical map places it in the South-South region does not change the fact that Ikwerre are a dialectical group of the Igbo nation. By ethnicity, language and heritage, Amaechi is no less Igbo than a man from Abriba, Owerri, Ebonyi, Awka or Enugu-Ukwu.”

    Addressing those who insist that only Igbo from the Southeast are qualified since zoning is done on regional basis, the brochure said Amaechi coming from South-South gives him a unique advantage.

    “In addition, he also has the unique advantage of being not only Igbo but a Niger Deltan. This means that Amaechi could also find favour with those currently insisting that the next President should come from the South-South on the basis that their region only completed one elected term under President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “There are some in other parts of the country who may find it more politically expedient to throw their lot behind a South-South candidate than behind a “traditional” Igbo man.

    “As much as Amaechi’s tribe and geo-political zone give him an advantage, he also has the advantage of being a candidate who is a true national figure – recognized all over Nigeria, with friends and allies across the length and breadth of the country.

    “Some people vying for office also have recognizable names but are identified so resolutely with their tribe or zone that they cannot be effective national consensus candidates.

    “Few of Amaechi’s contenders have had the same opportunity or share the same disposition that allows him to travel to every state of the Federation, forge alliances and build relationships.

    “Beloved by his people in the Niger Delta, he is also embraced by the South East as a true Igbo son and lauded in the South West for providing the Lagos – Ibadan railway system which has been a source of pride and renewed economic activity in the region. The North see him as a friend, a truly detribalized Nigerian who does not discriminate against tribe or religion and who has worked tirelessly to support President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Amaechi said the cap fits him because he has a “thorough understanding of the complexities of the nation – the challenges of balancing the interests and influences in a country of different persuasions, traditions, cultures, religions.”

    “While others fan the flames of ethnic tension for their own selfish political advantage, Amaechi has consistently championed national unity, identifying ethnic divisiveness as an obstacle to progress.”

  • BREAKING: 8 dead, 41 hospitalised in Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    BREAKING: 8 dead, 41 hospitalised in Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says about eight persons have so far been confirmed dead and 41 hospitalised in the recent attack on the Kaduna bound train.

    Amaechi, who made the disclosure while inspecting the scene of the attack, described the situation as devastating.

    ”We dont have all the figures of missing persons, kidnapped and those injured at the moment.

    ”The numbers we have is that there are eight casualties. There are about 41 persons in different hospitals and the total number of passengers who got tickets are 398.

    ”So, we have have to wait on the security, the Kaduna State government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation.They are all trying to make contact with those on the manifest.

    ”There are few persons who are not on the manifest like the staff of the NRC, staff of the cleaning contractor, they are not on the manifest and we may not be able to completely account for them but those on the manifest, calls are being made to reach them,” Amaechi said.

    On the security sensors, the minister said its installation was delayed because of rigorous procurement process.

    ”The porcess is tedious, the approval is also tedious, we have not been able to get that approval that will lead to purchase of those items.

    ”If those items were here, drones alone will tell you that there are people around the rail tracks because there are drones, there are equipment that pick sensors if you touch the track.

    ”But unfortunately the process has not been able to get us that approval for us to import those items.

    ”So for me, I am devastated and I honestly don’t know what to tell Nigerians anymore.”

    The Minister said it was not enough having cameras inside the train, adding that a high tech camera that would detect objects from afar was necessary.

    ”The cameras in the train cannot pick what is happening outside. What you need is a camera that shows 100 metres away from the train, that there are unknown persons carrying gun.

    ”Then, we can take precaution, but we have done all we need to do in the ministry of transport and we have forwarded to them for approval but we have not gotten approval.

    ”The patrol vehicles are available but they cannot reach everywhere. For the areas the patrol can patrol, it will forestall.

    ”We are thinking about the possibility of employing natives until we get those equipment. We also need helicopters, beyond the drones, we need helicopters,” Amaechi added.

    The minister, who stated that the NRC may suspend the evening train, however, noted that stopping was not the solution but providing appropriate technology that would ensure security.

    ”The solution is not in running away from the militants or the bandits. The solution is providing the technology that lets you know that they are around.

    ”If it lets you know that they are around, there are two actions to take; either for the security men to go after them or you don’t ply within that period.

    ”But the agencies that need to give us approval have to give us the approval because we need to purchase those items.

    ”No matter the cost, you cannot equate it with the eight lives that were lost. The equipment were just N3billion and we are about to place order for the one in Lagos but we need to know what is happening on the track, it is everywhere in the world,” he said.

    On the perimetre fencing, Amaechi said some areas that have it were being demolished and it was not high enough to protect one from criminals, except for cows.

    The minister reiterated the importance of getting approval to purchase the neccesary equipment as human lives were involved.

    ”I had warned earlier that it is important they get us this approval because human lives would be involved. Since that warning till today, we have had two incidents.

    ”What kind of due process is that? When i say due porcess, it does not necessarily mean BPP but whatever agency it is, they need to get us approval so that we can get out of cabinet.

    ”Even if they get us approval, it will take some months to acquire them from overseas to install them. We need to do that to enable us see from Kaduna-Abuja, Itakpe-Warri and from Lagos-Ibadan. what is going on?

    ”So that we don’t continue to lose lives because lives are important. If we don’t do that, more persons will die.

    ”The cost was about N3billion and the damage here is more than N3billion. So, if we had gotten the approval, we would have saved the N3billion and saved lives,” Amaechi reiterated.

    The Chairman, NRC, Ibrahim Alhassan, said the attack was anticipated and measures were taken to avoid it.

    Alhassan said :” Two months back, we got information that some people were carrying out cognizance of the tracks.

    ”And the information was passed to the relevant authorities and I think some things were done and nothing happened.”

    He said it was unfortunate that the attack occurred, adding that the NRC was doing all that was neccessray to abate such reoccurrence.

    ”We would like to thank Nigerians, our passengers and people who patronise us, their families, we would like to offer our condolences, our concern and sympathies, we hope with God Almighty, this thing never repeats itself again.

    ”We are going to, on our part, take some measures.To do our own scheduling thing like that and i believe the government and security agencies will come to our assistance with more help and assistance. I believe we are going to over come this.

    ”It is not going to deter us, honestly, we are not going to give up because of this.

    ”The only thing we want is the cooperation of everybody especially people living along the corridor, when they see any suspicious activity, they should report such.

    ”I believe people should help us to help all of us,” Alhassan said.

    During the minister’s inspection, Gidan train station and the community around, were attacked by bandits.

    The train with the minister and his entourage heading to Abuja from the visit to the scene of Monday’s attack was made to stop for some minutes before proceeding on the trip.

    Security personnel were however, seen around the area after the staff of NRC was said to have fled the scene.

    This is the second attack within 24 hours along the same axis.

  • “The fuel got exhausted”, NRC official confirms train from Lagos-Ibadan left passengers stranded

    “The fuel got exhausted”, NRC official confirms train from Lagos-Ibadan left passengers stranded

     

    An official of the Nigerian Rail Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that a train from Lagos to Ibadan on Thursday afternoon ran out of diesel, leaving passengers stranded in the bush for over four hours.

    This is coming barely two days after air passengers were stranded across various airports in the country owing to the non-availability of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet A1.

    “What happened was that the fuel got exhausted and we are re-fuelling it at the moment for the return trip,” the official who did not want to be named said.

    At 11:26am, a twitter user @IsaiahObadare raised the alarm that he and other passengers, including some Chinese nationals were stuck in the middle of the forest after their train stopped abruptly, and that the crew announced that the train had exhausted its diesel.

    “Boarded Train from Ibadan to Lagos. We’re still stuck in the forest with unknown Chinese Men. They said fuel finished. What a beautiful country, Nigeria.” Obadare tweeted.

    The twitter user provided a picture update showing a hilux van delivering a drum of diesel at 3:07pm and wrote: “This is when we eventually got diesel”.

    Locomotives have diesel tank of about 5,000 to 6,500 litres which is sufficient for their journey of about 1000 km and are usually refuelled at their shed, since every shed has a fuel depot.

    However, in a video from the scene which has gone viral, some passengers were seen sitting on the tracks, while others stood watching as the train was being refuelled.

  • Amaechi expresses displeasure over delayed rail projects handled by CCECC

    Amaechi expresses displeasure over delayed rail projects handled by CCECC

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has expressed displeasure with slow pace of work at the Kaduna-Kano rail line being handled by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

    Amaechi said this during an inspection of progress of work on the route and that of the Dala Dry Port with some stakeholders on Saturday in Kano.

    ”The speed is extremely slow, the equipment that is supposed to be over 2000, all they have brought so far is 541.

    ”They claim that over 300 is in Kaduna , people have gone to check that; But even if you add all that, it is about 800 equipment as compared to 2000 equipment that they are supposed to bring, then something is wrong somewhere.

    On the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail, the minister also expressed displeasure that the CCECC where yet to commence work on the site.

    He said: ”It is part of what the CCECC will address us on, because we have given them some money and we think that they should start work.

    ”According to them, they said they will start building camps, for me who is not an engineer all those things are not my business, my business is to see the laying of tracks.

    ”So on Wednesday they must tell us because we can’t give all our contracts to one company and the company goes to sleep.

    ”They can’t say there is no land because it is an old track, you must start work,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Alhaji Ahmed Rabiu, Managing Director of Dala Inland Dry Port, has given the assurance that the port would be delivered in a few weeks.

    ”It is feasible to commence operation at the Dala Inland Dry Port within the next couple of weeks.

    ”Access road we have been guaranteed and would be completed within a week, and other facilities will be completed soon.

    ”We assure you that on March 31, this place will be ready and it will just wait for the Minister to do the last bit which is to declare it as a port of origin and destination, “Rabiu said.