TheCable

The federal government has postponed the launch of the Port Harcourt-Aba train service to April.

The launch was initially scheduled for the end of March.

Saidu Alkali, minister of transportation, spoke to journalists after inspecting the reconstructed railway tracks in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Alkali expressed disappointment over the delay, adding that the contractor has given assurance of the project’s completion in April.

“This is my second-time visit to Port Harcourt to inspect the progress of the (Port Harcourt-Aba) railway line since assuming office as the minister of transportation,” he said.

“The contractor initially committed to a March start date, but during track inspections, they made some observations necessitating the extension of the start date to April.

“The contractor has now committed to an April launch for the Port Harcourt to Aba railway services.”

The minister also said measures were being taken to connect both Port Harcourt and Onne seaports to the Port Harcourt to Aba rail track.

“We are not satisfied with the failure of the contractor to deliver the work on the agreed deadline,” he said.

“The contractor promised delivery of the project by March, but if they can deliver it in April, then I think that we can manage that.

“We started with the 15 percent component in fixing the Port Harcourt to Aba rail section, but we are now, focussing on linking the line to Port Harcourt and Onne Ports.”

Alkali also assured of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects across the country.

Speaking further, Alkali said there were ongoing efforts to finalise project financing on the Calabar-Enugu-Abuja gauge rail line awarded by the previous administration.

“We are currently making all arrangements for the finances, and as soon as the finance is ready, the project will commence,” he said.

“We are dedicated to delivering all projects in all parts of the country.”

He added that the Ibadan to Abuja standard gauge rail line project was making progress.

Alkali urged the public to be patient and supportive to ensure the project’s successful completion.