He conceded that “stakeholders were initially skeptical” because of the failure of the previous interventionist agencies “to deliver even marginal benefits.” Speaking at the briefing of diplomatic mission heads at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, he reiterated his administration’s resolve “to bring about a lasting solution to the problems of the region and give the people a new lease of life”.

The ministry he said has commenced implementation of programmes outlined in the 2009 budget. One of the measures taken to bring about peace, stability and development was to provide jobs for the youths of the Niger Delta region. He explained: “This would include training them so that they could work in the multi-national companies operating in the region and begin to see themselves as co-owners rather than destroy the facilities put in place”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Chief Ojo Maduekwe noted that the Niger Delta crisis was a national challenge but gave an assurance that the Federal Government was on top of it.

Chairman of the committee Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi – who is also state commissioner for investments, commerce and co-operatives – explains that a fact-finding tour of railway facilities both within and outside the state was undertaken. Among stations visited he mentioned Kaduna, Katcha, Baro, Mokwa, Jebba and Gwada. It was found that attention is needed to track, communications and other infrastructure. The committee’s report has been submitted to both the federal ministry of transport and railway headquarters in Lagos.

In Dr Yahaya’s view, priority routes for upgrading include Minna-Kaduna (whose present twice-weekly service should preferably operate daily), Minna-Mokwa-Jebba and Minna-Badeggi-Katch-Baro, in view of their agricultural potential.

[ This report refers to the Nigerian state called Niger, not the entirely separate country known as Niger. Very confusing. – editor

Meanwhile a federal government project team comprising three committees working on rail rehabilitation proposals has been given until the middle of May to finalise its work. According to the office of the Land Transport Director Dr Tunji Bolade, quoted in This Day (Lagos) on 3 May, the project team is expected to work with the Ministry’s project consultant, TEAM Nigeria Ltd, “to analyse all varying submissions and give specifications needed for the railway system, within the next two weeks.”
[ Footnote: China has also secured four oil drilling licences from Nigeria and in exchange undertakes to invest $4bn in oil and related infrastructure projects. These, the BBC reports, are the latest in a series of deals “that China has signed with African countries including Sudan, Chad, Angola and Zimbabwe – editor

In an effort to improve mass transportation, the Federal Government in partnership with the private sector, is planning to institute a transport policy for the nation.

The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Transport, disclosed this in Abuja. To this effect, the ministry in partnership with Buildcraft West Africa will stage the Transport week between February 2 and 4, 2006.
To produce a policy that would help facilitate growth in all sectors, not temporarily but of long-term effect adding that you cannot discuss agriculture, industrial growth and social concord without transportation.