Emelam Udo, Umuahia.
The first phase of laying of new rail covering 63 km from Port Harcourt to Aba will be completed by the end of this year while the 2nd phase from Aba to Umuahia will be ready in the first quarter of next year.
Modibbbo Mohammed,the railway District Manager, revealed this when he led his team to pay a business visit to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to brief him on the on-going rehabilitation of the railway track from Port Harcourt to Aba.
Abia State Governor, during the visit said it was his wish that train services return to the Eastern tracks after a long spell.
The Governor who stated this at his Isialangwa- residence when he met with officials of the Nigeria Railway corporation, Eastern District noted that rail transportation used to be the most viable means of transportation in the country but suddenly disappeared in the last 3 decades.
He promised to support the corporation with all that they require to function in the state and requested them to update him with developments regarding the on-going rehabilitation of the rail line.
The Governor pledged to address the request for security and further engage the people on the need to protect and safeguard railway installations in their localities and warned that any person caught engaging in vandalization would be dealt with.
Modibbo, earlier in his speech had requested for the protection of the Corporation’s installations from the Governor.
Modibbo said that the railway services when fully operational would create jobs to the youths as well as provide alternative means of transportation and commended the Governor for the massive infrastructural development witnessed in the state within his short time in office.
The Principal secretary and chief strategist to Governor, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, the Commissioner for Power and public Utilities Ikechukwu Monday, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, Commissioner for trade, commerce and Industry, Chimezie Ukaegbu, Commissioner for transport, Sunny Onwuma, Special Adviser to the Governor Trade commerce and Industry, Nwaka Inem, and Senior special Assistant to the Governor on Due process Oluebube Chukwu among others were in attendance during the visit.
