By Ngozi Ezenwa

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday flagged off the Enugu – Port Harcourt train service, describing the project as a major landmark achievement in his administration’s transformation agenda.

Commissioning the rail service in Part Harcourt, Rivers State, the President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said that the project would enhance transportation network as well as boost the country’s economy.

He observed that his administration was transforming the railway system in the country which had been abandoned for over 30 years, adding that the government remains committed to improving of building necessary infrastructure to add value to the lives of the people.

“The federal government initiated and articulated the strategic plan for the railway development in Nigeria which had suffered neglect in the past 30 years. We are determined to transform Nigeria to a very viable height. We have kept faith with the Nigerian people in keeping all our electoral promises. We are gradually implementing our projects that will transform the lives of Nigerians. With the continued support of Nigerians we shall see all those projects through,” the President said.

He commended the board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, for delivering on the government’s promise to transform rail transportation in the country.

The chairman of the NRC board, Bamanga Tukur, said that the commissioning of the project was a dream come true and a fulfilment of the electoral promise made by the President to transform the transportation system. Credit, he said, should be given to Jonathan for giving new life to a moribund sector.

The managing director of the corporation, Adesuyi Sijuwade, said that the eastern line posed enormous challenges because of its level of dilapidation. He observed that about 30 metres of the rail line had been completely washed away in the Aba axis, adding that a lot of reconstruction work had to be done.

“These challenges are now history, as all the damaged structures have been reconstructed, the mountain of refuse cleared and the entire track rehabilitated hence the flag-off from Port Harcourt to Enugu,” Sijuwade said.