By Chinwendu Agoha (Governance Reporter)
The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said President Muhammadu Buhari has met Nigeria's founding fathers' expectations of Nigeria's founding fathers to have a country interconnected by rail networks to enable free movement of persons and goods.
BMO in a statement by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, noted that going by the frenzy of ongoing infrastructural developments by the Buhari administration, Nigeria is on the right path to truly become the Giant of Africa in the realization of the dreams and aspirations of the nationalist heroes who fought for our independence.
"Our history books tell us remarkable stories of what the likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and their generation wished for Nigeria at Independence: a nation bustling with infrastructures and equal opportunity for all citizens. Today, President Buhari is turning those dreams into reality.
"Whether as candidate or President-elect, President Buhari was unambiguous about his desire to upgrade the transportation infrastructure to power national economic revival. He promised to bequeath a multimodal transportation system that comprises roads, rail networks, the aviation sector, and the waterways. That promise is a reality today.
"Rail networks spanning the length and width of the country are being laid. Some are already completed and experiencing impressive passenger traffic daily, like the Lagos - Ibadan rail line, and the 30-year-long abandoned Warri - Itakpe railway now completed by this administration, and the in-demand Abuja - Kaduna express train service.
"The ground-breaking ceremony of the Katsina - Maradi rail-line is one more promise kept and welcome addition to the extensive railway network that the Buhari administration is putting in place. This is in addition to the Lagos – Kano rail line and the West-East rail line which, when completed, will undoubtedly transform Nigeria’s economy. We do not doubt that one of the many legacies President Buhari will leave behind is a functional railway network connecting all parts of the country.
"Indeed, the founding fathers of our great nation will be proud of President Buhari for delivering on the dreams they shared many decades ago."
The BMO also commended the Minister of Transportation, the Right Honorable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for his dedication and single-mindedness in ensuring that our founding fathers' dreams became a reality and President Buhari's promises are kept.
Noting that the Buhari administration is doing more with fewer resources when compared to the windfalls his predecessors earned but had little or nothing to show for them, the group called on all Nigerians to continue to support the administration's infrastructural development initiatives because they are aimed at putting the economy on a sounder footing. NNL.
