The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the Federal Government to swiftly shift attention to the official kick-off of the Calabar - Lagos Rail project.

The party in a statement issued Thursday in Port Harcourt by its State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said that this will go a long way to promote commercial activities in the South as well as reduce youth restiveness and militancy in the region.

Ribers APC in the statement congratulated President Muhammadu Buahri and the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on the successful flag-off, on Tuesday, of the Abuja - Kaduna Rail-Line. It described the development as a dream come true and the harbinger of better things to come for the country during the Buhari Presidency.

“We heartily congratulate President Buhari and Rt. Hon. Amaechi on this historical development which will greatly relieve Nigerians travelling from Abuja to Kaduna and vice versa of much stress and financial burden. We celebrate their determination and commitment, which made the completion of this epochal project initiated by the administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo at this point in time a reality,” the party said. It described the flag-off of the rail-line as an evident demonstration of how serious the administration of President Buhari is to decisively tackle the infrastructure decay in the country.

“Amaechi has truly demonstrated that he merits the title of Train Driver General of the Federation whose main mission is to run the trains in existing and new railway lines all over Nigeria. We are proud to be associated with him as he continues to show himself to be a great product and Ambassador of the Niger Delta and of good governance in Nigeria,” the party said.

It added that “with this feat achieved in less than a year of his ministerial appointment, everyone can now see the wisdom of President Buhari in appointing Amaechi to head the Ministry of Transportation at this time.” Rivers APC prayed Amaechi not to relent in the demonstration of his trademark of big achievements, adding: “We remain convinced that Amaechi will continue to act to vindicate our claim that his feats as Governor of Rivers State were not a fluke.”

•Photo shows Ikanya.

Update news