Federal Government Announces Delay in Port Harcourt-Aba Rail Line Operations
The Federal Government has adjusted the commencement date for operations on the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line, with Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali, announcing the new schedule on Friday. Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt after inspecting the reconstruction of the rail track, Senator Alkali attributed the delay to technical challenges encountered during the project.
Originally planned for March 2024, the start of train services along the route will now be rescheduled to April to allow for the resolution of these technical issues. This decision comes after the minister’s second inspection visit to Port Harcourt since assuming office.
During the inspection, Senator Alkali sought commitments from the consultant and contractor responsible for the project. He acknowledged that while the initial target was March, unforeseen challenges and technical complexities have necessitated a revised timeline, potentially extending the start date to April.
“This is the second time I have come to Port Harcourt for the inspection of the rail line since I assumed office as the Minister of Transportation,” Senator Alkali stated. “Of course, they gave us March but I’m sure while they were doing the inspection, you witnessed when I was trying to extract a commitment from the consultant and the contractor because the last time I was here they said March, but because of some exigencies and technicalities of the work, they may extend it to April.”
The adjustment in the commencement date underscores the importance of addressing technical challenges to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line. The government remains committed to completing the project and providing reliable rail services to enhance transportation in the region.
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