In a recent briefing held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali shed light on the reasons behind the delay in kickstarting the Port Harcourt-Aba Standard Gauge rail project.
Alkali informed journalists that the delay stemmed from financial issues associated with the project’s award. He clarified that the project had been initiated by the previous administration, and upon assuming office, the current administration had prioritized resolving the financial hurdles before proceeding with the project.
Stressing the significance of securing all financial arrangements beforehand, Alkali assured that the government was diligently working to address these concerns to ensure a smooth commencement.
The minister underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to advancing rail infrastructure across the nation. In a directive to the contractor, Alkali emphasized the need for the Port Harcourt rail to be seamlessly integrated with both the Port Harcourt port and the Onne port as part of the project’s execution.
As efforts continue to iron out financial intricacies, Alkali expressed confidence that once resolved, the project would promptly move forward, furthering the government’s agenda of enhancing transportation networks nationwide.