PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has described as monumental, the Federal Government’s approval of N1.7 billion for the construction of a Jetty in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, which is projected to be completed in fifteen months time.
In a statement circulated to media houses in the South-South, Chief Eze said the Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has once again proved beyond doubts that he means well for the country and her citizens. He commended the Minister for always putting the country first in his development schemes which has transformed the travails of the transportation sector to a success story within record time.
While congratulating Niger Deltans and Nigerians in general for the projects, Eze said the Bonny/Bodo Road Project which is 60% completed and the signing of NLNG Train 7 project, among others, will accelerate economic fillip, enhance human and vehicular movement and link Bonny to the rest of Nigeria.
The party chief expressed happiness over the federal government preparedness to build a new Sea Port, estimated to cost $800 million in Pessu area of Warri in Delta state. This, according to him, is again the brainchild of the Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi in his determination to achieve the best for Nigerians in all areas of the transportation sector.
With the following projects attracted through Amaechi to the South-South region, the Minister has further revealed that he is the most outstanding Minister ever from the region:
(1) Completion and commissioning of the PH. International Airport.
(2) Implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoni.
(3). The Development of Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt.
(4). A Proposal for Railway connection to Bonny Island Deep Sea port from Port Harcourt.
Eze quoted Amaechi as saying that negotiations are already ongoing with the Chinese Government to begin the project. He also revealed that the Federal Government will also continue its negotiations with Russians for the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Rail Project.
“The six geo-political zones are all covered, Port Harcourt –Maiduguri covered Port Harcourt, Aba, Owerri, Umuahia, Enugu, Abakaliki, Awka, Markurdi, Lafia, Akwanga Jos, Bauchi Gombe and connects to Yobe Damaturu and then Maiduguri.
“The Lagos Calabar is the whole of the South-South. We have Lagos coming through Akure, Benin and then from Benin and we have a spot leading to Agbor and Asaba and then to Onitsha and then you continue to Benin to Ughelii, Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo and Calabar that takes care of the South-South while Port Harcourt – Maiduguri takes care of the South East and the North East.
“The Lagos Kano also takes care of South West and part of the North West, and North Central. The central line that starts from Abuja also takes care of the North Central, Kogi, and also takes care of kwara and all of these requires money”,
Eze further reported that currently what we have as functional lines are Lagos-Ibadan 156km, Abuja-Kaduna 186km and Itakpe-Warri which is about 350km all put together Under this Government we have recorded a total about 600+km of railway and by the time we complete Ibadan-kano which is about 860km, we will be having 1500+km railway constructed by this Government
Eze wants to be educated that if this is not revolution what is revolution all about.
All these projects and many more are aimed at fast tracking development, boasting the economy and ameliorating the unemployment situation in the region as many skilled and unskilled workers will be required for its execution.
Eze encouraged Amaechi not to be dismayed by forces who think by attacking him and plotting to dismantle his political structure that they will become relevant in the politics of the region and Nigeria at large and should continue with his patriotic zeal to give Nigeria and Nigerians a new dimension in the leadership of the country.
Eze further stated that the leadership position of Amaechi within the hierarchy of APC based on the risks and inputs he made in its formation, stability and sustainability coupled with his key role in the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari are neither in doubt or can be questioned by any body no matter how political naive such a leader or person can be.
