Gov Otti wants return of train services to Eastern tracks

Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, has expressed his hope for the resumption of train service in the Eastern United States.

According to Daily Independent, the governor made the remark during a meeting with visiting business representatives from the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Eastern District.

Governor Otti lamented that the country’s once-dominant rail network had mysteriously collapsed over the course of the previous three decades.

He assured the company that he would provide whatever resources were necessary for its operations in the state and asked for regular updates on the progress of the rail line’s restoration.

The governor promised to look into the request for security and to educate the populace on the importance of preventing vandalism of railway installations in their communities.

Mr. Modibbo Mohammed, Railway District Manager, had previously stated that the purpose of their visit was to update the governor on the ongoing rehabilitation of the railway track out of Port Harcourt.

New rail, spanning 63 kilometres from Port Harcourt to Aba, will be laid in two phases, the first of which will be delivered by the end of the year, and the second by the beginning of next year.

He asked for the governor’s help in preventing vandalism to the stacked rail tracks in some parts of the state and requested a patrol vehicle to ensure their safety.

Mr Modibbo praised the governor for the massive infrastructural development witnessed in the state during his brief time in office and said that the railway services, once fully operational, will create jobs to the youths as well as provide alternative means of transportation.

Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, the Governor’s Principal Secretary and Chief Strategist, was present, as were Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, Commissioner of Power and Public Utilities; Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner of Information and Culture; Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, Commissioner of Trade, Commerce, and Industry; Comrade Sunny Onwuma, Commissioner of Transport; Chief Nwaka Inem, Special Adviser to the Governor