Ondo APC, PDP, SDP bigwigs meet, back FG on coastal rail project

 

Ondo State Liberal Platform Caucus, a bi-partisan Think Tank composed of some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Social Democratic Party SDP, other political groups and resident professionals, has thrown its weight behind the decision of the President Muhammadu Buhari led executive on the restoration of the N60billion proposed Coastal Rail Project in the 2016 budget.
The group stated that the Calabar-Lagos Rail Project will open a new economic frontier in Nigeria with the attendant benefits of massive job creation, emergence of new businesses along the rail corridor with access to sea, alternative transportation for haulage and commuting, while reducing present heavy vehicular traffic on the weak Calabar/Uyo/Ikot-Ekpene, Port-Harcourt/Yenagoa/Warri, Benin/Ifon/Idoani, Benin/Ifon/Owo/Akure and Benin/Ore/Shagamu highways.
Caucus Secretary, Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo, in a statement yesterday said “for the people of Ondo State, the planned Calabar-Lagos rail line is some big news that calls for celebration as it would service towns within the sunshine state in addition to other towns and villages along its route from Calabar to Lagos.


“The Caucus, which has in its rank notable professionals, former Ministers, Senators, House of Representatives members, commissioners, special advisers, veteran journalists, seasoned academics and business leaders, calls on all sons and daughters of Ondo State in the 8th National Assembly regardless of party affiliation to rise up and ensure that this iconic legacy project is not shunted by vested interest.
“Leaders of the Caucus also appealed to all members of the National Assembly to have a re-think in the national interest since this project is strategic to the diversification, growth and development of the economy. There should not be any controversy; there should not be lengthy debates.”