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Senator Adesoji Akanbi has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the construction of Ibadan-Kano standard gauge rail line project.
Akanbi, who represented Oyo South senatorial district between 2015-2019, said the project will enhance the movement of people and goods at a cheaper rate and efficiently between the two states.
The commendation is coming after the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi disclosed recently that the project has been approved by the president.
The All Progressives Congress(APC) Chieftain, who spoke with newsmen in Ibadan also lauded Amaechi for the work he is doing to improve the transportation system in the country.
The Dynasty Airline boss said: “Railway transport is doubtless the most important and effective means of land transportation and plays an un-substitutable role in the socio-economic development of all economic powers. The standard gauge rail system is coming with huge economic benefits to Nigeria.”
Akanbi stated that the rail project is a testimonial to his quality representation in the senate, adding that it contributed immensely to the actualization of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line project. He noted that the projects goes a long way to show that it is important to have credible and effective representation.
Speaking on the effects the rail line will have on the region, he said, “any leader who supports the welfare of people in your state should be supported. President Muhammadu Buhari would always work towards creating an enabling environment for purposeful and visionary projects that will bring a lot of good to the society. When people like us are supporting him, there are reasons for it.
“Without a doubt, the construction and operation period of this project will create many derived job opportunities for Nigerians, especially our people in Ibadan in areas such as material manufacturing, material and equipment supply, subcontract and catering services, amongst others.”
He said further: “To ensure timely completion of the project, local companies will have to participate in specialized subcontract works, in such areas as geographical exploration, drilling boreholes, building bridges and culverts, fire control, construction of fences, laying continuous power lines and so on.
“It is expected that the project will extensively utilize locally manufactured materials like cement and rebar, as well as imported ones like diesel, bitumen, lubricant and tyres, etc. All of these and more will bring a boost to the economy of Oyo State.”
Senator Akanbi also spoke about his meeting with the Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidelis Okhiria, to whom he reiterated that the two rail stations at Omi-Adio in Ido local government and Moniya in Akinyele local government will not be adequate for Ibadan. He stressed that the distance between these two places is quite wide and thus pleaded with the corporation to locate a new station between the two areas.
“Investment in rail transport is one of the good moves by the government to resuscitate our sleeping economy and this can only bode well for Nigeria,”Akanbi said.