FG, States Charged To Work On Rail Network

[Shola Sholaz]

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Engr. Nebolisa Emodi, has charged state governments to work closely with the Federal Government with a view to ensuring that all seaports, airports, river ports, mining zones, industries and agricultural belts are linked with railway lines to complement the existing road infrastructure.
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Emodi made the call in Lagos, when he addressed the 2013 National Council on Transportation.
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He noted that transportation and mobility are central to sustainable development as they enhance socio- economic activities, growth and improved accessibility as well as support the achievement of better integration of all sectors of the economy while respecting the environment.
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He said the importance of efficient movement of people and goods and access to environmentally sound, safe and healthy urban-rural linkages and productivity of rural areas cannot be over- emphasized.
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According to the permanent secretary, it is due to these facts that transportation has been accorded its rightful place in the Vision 20:20:20 and the transformation agenda of the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
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Emodi pointed out that the Federal Government is not only committed to the development of quality infrastructure, but is also mindful of the fact that its resources are inadequate to meet and bridge the current huge infrastructure gaps without the participation of the private sector.