Idu railway project created 5000 jobs – Minister

(Report from National Planning Commission)-  The Minister /Deputy Chairman National Planning Commission, Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman has disclosed that the Idu rail project in Abuja has generated 5,000 jobs and will also create millions of jobs when fully operational.

The Minister made this disclosure during an inspection tour of some selected Sure-P supported projects in FCT on Wednesday.

He was also at a health facility in Dutse Alhaji in Bwari Area Council.   

“The railway project is a phenomenal initiative. The project has created already 5,000 jobs. You will see jobs in millions when the project is fully operational. It will create jobs for security men and  business will emerge”, he added.

Sulaiman reiterated Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria, while commending President Goodluck Jonathan for the initiative which he argued, would  boost economic development of the country.

When he was speaking at the site of the dual Abuja–Abaji road (Section 1) which is 95 percent completed, the Minister commended the quality of job done on the road, describing it as amazing.

He stated that the project would ease the stress of commuters on that road and urged the road users to put it to proper use.

When Engineer C .D Agbakoba briefing the Minister, the Deputy Director/North Central Zone coordinator, Ministry of Works, assured on the durability of the road, insisting that the road went through series of test including deflection test.

He thanked the Federal Government and SURE- P for funding of the project which according to him, will be handed to Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) after one year, for regular maintenance.

Also in a remark, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of the NPC, Dr. Zakari Lawal expressed satisfaction in terms of the delivery of the project.

He stated that Nigerians will benefit from the project as it will improve the lives of the people and boost the economy.