Gov Yahaya laments lack of North East corridor
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has bemoaned the failure of the Transportation ministry in rehabilitating the North East Corridor of the Nigerian railway.
Yahaya who wondered why the ministry would construct railway to Maradi, in Niger when the region lacked functional service.
He made this request on Thursday, while playing host to Minister of State for Transportation Gbemisola Saraki, who was in the state for the Inauguration of Gombe outreach learning centre of Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology.
He said, “I think the North East Corridor of the railway, which you mentioned yourself is the one that is neglected most by the Transportation ministry.
“Fortunately for us you are from that ministry, we have no other person to complain to but you. You must look into this thing; if the concentration of the Federal Ministry of works is for dualising or facilitating good road sector from the South West Lagos through Ibadan to Illorin, to Abuja and subsequently to Kaduna and Kano and the other parts.
“What we need from Portharcourt dualising the Portharcourt port is equally as important as that and if rail is extended to Maradi in Niger Republic there no reason you shouldn’t give us good rail service here. We will like the Honourable minister to facilitate the restoration of good rail network in the North East region. It is a priority to our people, and we hope you facilitate it, for us as far as issues of transportation are concerned we give our 100 percent.”
While promising to support full optimization of the centre,Yahaya said the institute will be put to use by the state governor’s of the North East region.
“I believe I’m speaking the minds of each governor from the North East, whatever is needed to facilitate proper utilization of this institute we shall do. We will like to urge you to do more by facilitating us getting all those things mentioned, Inshallah, we shall not disappoint you,” he added.
Also, Minister of State for Transportation, Saraki said Gombe is strategic to growth and development of transport in the region.
The minister who conferred on the governor position of ambassador of the institute urged him to urge his counterparts towards supporting the institution.
She added, “We want to count on your Excellency to help mobilize youths in the zone for these courses. In as much as, the Federal Government is trying to reduce the rate of unemployment among graduates and non graduates through the jobs of such nature.”
