FG’ll stop tanker drivers from disrupting train services at sea ports

Plans are on top gear by the federal government to stop tanker drivers disrupting the movement of trains at the sea port.

The minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who said this added that he has directed the Permanent Secretary in the ministry to discuss with Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to find an amicable solution to the challenge.

There are reports that tanker drivers disrupt the movement of trains into the port.

He said it became necessary as they have to stop them now, or “we stop the owner of that terminal”.

Amaechi who gave the assurance after the monthly inspection exercise of the project on Saturday, also expressed frustration over the slow pace of work on the Lagos-Ibadan railway project which was scheduled to be commissioned this April, 2021.

Amaechi, who stated that the remaining work of the project but expressed doubt that it can still be completed and commissioned within the targeted timeline of April, 2021.

“We can say to ourselves that we have tried from coverting a bush into a usage that will grow the Nigerian economy. For CCECC am sick and tired of them and that why I asked them to see us on Wednesday, although most of the things remaining are minor and it cannot delay the movement of goods.

“They have promised to finish by the end of the month, okay i believe them but I want them to reiterate that.

“Team has also always complained that they don’t go by their work plan,. Ibadan to Kano everybody must go according to work plan both in terms of payment, construction, inspection and everything.

“But when we start Ibadan-Kano rail it would be a different ball game and we will ensure they keep to plan.

“The speed has slowed down, we agreed with them that we will commission this April but who who will commission this kind of thing.” he said.

On the commissioning, Amaechi said efforts are on to get an appointment from the office of the President for the date of commissioning, adding ‘once they give us a date we will let the public know’.

According to Amaechi, there are a lot of things involved in bringing the president to commission the project.

“If you look at level of work we cannot ask the president to commission this, but ones we give CCECC definite time i know they will speed up.

“There are some minor things they still need to put in place but its taking them time to do that, some of those things should not take more than a day or two to put in place so am not so worried,” he said.

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