The Federal Government, on Wednesday, asserted that it cannot recommence the Abuja-Kaduna train services for now because it will be insensitive to the plight of families whose loved ones kidnapped in the corridor are still in captivity.
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, stated this while briefing correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Fielding questions on the suspension of the service following the March 2022 attack on the train, he remarked that two core matters remain at the heart of the Abuja-Kaduna train services.
According to him, these include families traumatised over their members still in captivity of terrorists and the need to have surveillance facilities to monitor the tracks.
He said the government is looking at the best options in terms of the surveillance including concessioning it in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Asked about definite timelines to execute the initiative, Muazu said: “If I give a timeline, I’ll be lying to you. It will be insensitive to restart the service if some families weep day and night over their members still in the bush.”
He said the government is mindful of the cost involved but should be able to report definite progress in about a month.
The Minister revealed that FEC approved a contract for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) worth about N1.49 billion for the repair of crane.
Muazu stated: “I have said in the past that it is better to save the life of one Nigerian. I mean to save the life of one Nigerian than risk the lives of many Nigerians.
“There are two core matters at the heart of the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna rail services and these core issues are; one, families are traumatized over their loved ones that are still in captivity; two, we need to have surveillance and monitoring system on the rail track that would ensure
that such incidents never happen again.
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“So, we are pursuing these two things at the same time, trying to get the victims of the kidnap released and at the same time looking for the best solution in terms of surveillance.
“We are looking at so many options, we want to go for the best one, a sustainable one and don’t forget, ultimately, whatever we have as a template between Abuja and Kaduna, that succeeds, would also serve the thousands of kilometres of rail lines across the country. I think this is as much as I will give.”
Asked to give timelines, he said: “If I give you a timeline now, I’ll be lying to you, but I can tell you one thing, we are working day and night. We are looking at solutions that are technology-based and you know technology changes every day. At the same time, don’t forget, for goodness sake, wouldn’t it be insensitive of us to resume these services, even if security surveillance was in place, as long as some citizens of this country spend days and nights weeping over their loved ones that are held in the bush?
“There is a solution that the Kano State government has employed for the Felgore Forest, sanctioned by the DSS. We are looking at that. We are also mindful of costs. Now, if for example, you’re going to spend between N3 billion and N9 billion just to provide surveillance or monitoring systems along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line alone, how much is the government going to spend for the entire country?
“So, we are also looking at the PPP options. For example, there are notable companies that have solved this thing outside this jurisdiction, where we give them the right of way, the infrastructure and the personnel and then we pay as we go, which is a more attractive option for me. I think the direct answer to your question, maybe in another one month, we should be back to you with a solution.”
The Council approved road contracts worth about N43.4 billion for five states in the North East.
This followed memoranda presented to it by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar, who explained: “Today, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development presented to council on behalf of the North East Development Commission four memos.
“These memos are in respect of road construction, reconstruction for five states of the North East region, namely Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi. For Borno, we have 22.5-kilometre road that is to be reconstructed. This road is Ngon-Koshode and Ngon-Dosmari-Zabamari-Kongologo-Kajari road with the contract sum of N13,553,902,668.95
“The second contract is on reconstruction of 53 Kilometer Gombe-Abba to Kriffi Road in Gombe and Bauchi state in the contract sum of N11,697,355,449.61.
“The other road is the 54-kilometre Mutai Gudal Road in Yobe states with the contract sum of N12,199,182,845.70.
“The fourth one is the one for Adamawa State, Garkida road. It has a contract sum of N6,202,214,413.29 inclusive of 7.5 VAT. Garkida road in Adamawa State located at the fringes of the Sambisa forest. And all these roads are being taken into consideration and selected in conjunction with the State governments and other critical stakeholders.
“These roads are expected to stimulate our economic activities, enhance security and facilitate the freer movement of goods and people in these affected states within the zone.
“The ministry also is in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Housing and in the co-funding of various roads in the Northeast region. As you’re aware you’re North East Development Commission was established in 2017 to address issues of rebuilding, reconstructing, rehabilitating, reintegrating the people of the Northeast who have been affected by the insurgency.
“We are also in partnership and collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the area of engaging reputable local consultants for the design and supervision of the major works in line with Executive Order 5 for promoting local content in science, engineering, and technology.
“All the four memos were considered and graciously approved by council.”
In his presentation at the post-FEC media briefing, the Minister of Work, Babatunde
Fashola said the Council approved two memoranda presented by his ministry.
The first is for contract for the reconstruction of the Mushin-NNPC-Apapa-Oshodi road at the sum of N11,166,270,197.85 awarded to Strabag Construction Company, with a completion period of 20 months.
He said the Council approved the report and recommendation of a Council committee set up by the President in order to respond to demands by state governments for refunds on intervention made previously before this administration on federal roads before the President’s directive that there should be no more intervention by states on federal roads
Fashola explained that there were some that had been done before the life of the administration.
He added: “So, there were three states, Kebbi, Yobe and Taraba. I think on the 22nd of June, I reported that the claims for Yobe for N18.663 billion were approved. That left for those of Kebbi and Taraba states. So, today council approved N6.706 billion for Kebbi state and N2.470 billion for Taraba states.
“The Council also approved that the road under construction by Taraba states for which this reimbursement is being made that the contract by the state government should not be terminated. That is a section between Bali and Ceti.
“This is because you will recall last year that council had approved the full reconstruction of Balley Ceti to Kimbu under the NNPC tax credit scheme. This is a better-designed road than the one that has a laterite base currently being constructed by the Taraba state government.
“But because there was an existing approval given before the life of this administration, we will refund up to this last reform. But we will not refund anymore, we’re going to reconstruct the road. So, I just thought it was important to make that clarification. We have a full construction now, instead of part of construction that the Taraba state was undertaking.
“Another interesting thing to note about these reforms is that they relate to debts and obligations incurred by the previous administration before the life of this administration. So, this is also part of the national debt.
“So, the process of payment requires the Ministry of Finance subsequent to this approval now, to go to the National Assembly, to get approval to raise debt to secure payment to the States. I think it’s important to note that when we’re having conversation about the national debt, these are some of the components that were inherited debts that this government is also paying for infrastructure.
“The last point to note is that this is a bipartisan approval, irrespective of party affiliations, all of the states who submit who met the conditions, who showed documentation benefited, as you will see Taraba, Kebbi and Yobe are certainly bipartisan in their political affiliations. And you will see that previously, when I came here, we had reported refunds to states like our Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, and Osun I believe, at the time.”
Also speaking, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello said FEC approved Messers Halali Security Guards Limited and Messers Seaguard Security and Protective Company Limited to provide security to the 45 kilometres of rail track including 12 stations under the Abuja Light Rail project.
He explained: “And these security services are meant to protect the key infrastructure on the rail tracks, the signalling and communication equipment as well as the electrical system.
“Halali security guard Limited is going to secure 27.4 kilometres of the track, covering eight stations at the cost of N407,214,000 over a two-year period, while Seaguard Securities and Protective Company Limited is going to secure 18 kilometres of the rail tracks including four railway stations and that is at a cost of N310,979,250.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attended the Council meeting physically for the first time since his leg surgery in July.