The federal government, through the minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali has vowed to ensure the implementation of Presidential approval for 95% upward review of special allowances of Nigerian Railway personnel.
He made this remark in Lagos yesterday during the familiarisation visit of the minister for inspection of Lagos Ibadan and Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway lines.
Alkali also promised to discuss with the chairman, National Salaries Income and Wages Commission to facilitate speedy implementation of presidential approval of increased special allowances for railway workers.
According to him, “plans are also underway to hold consultations with the Controller General of Nigeria Customs Service with a view to ensure speedy removal of the building at A.P.Miller terminal which prevented completion of 2 standard gauge lines and fixing of single track line to convey containers from Lagos to Kano within three months”
Apart from completion of work on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Railway Station by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), he urged the corporation to expand operational scope of Kajola Assembly plant to include assembly of containers.
The minister told the management of the corporation to provide a comprehensive data of the corporation’s real estate including number, location description, legal status amongst others.
Managing director of the corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria in his remark, noted that in recent times the corporation has been facing some challenges such as vandalization of critical infrastructure.
He, however, promised that the vandalised sections have been identified with a view to fixing same and commence operations of goods carriage from Lagos to Kano and back through the narrow gauge railway line
The NRC boss appealed to the minister to use his vast legislative experience to achieve the mandate of railway modernization project.
The president general, Nigerian Union of Railway Workers, Comrade Innocent Ajiji commended the minister for being proactive towards the welfare of railway workers.
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