CHINESE COMPANY SUSPENDS WORK ON PORT HARCOURT-MAIDUGURI RAIL OVER INSECURITY

Due to security concerns, a Chinese company has suspended work on the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line

The minister of transportation, Mu'azu Sambo, has announced that work on the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line has been halted.

He spoke during an inspection tour of the project in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, according to a statement issued on Saturday.

He stated that the suspension was necessary due to insecurity and vandalism of railway properties along the corridor.

Sambo stated that the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), the contractor in charge of the project's rehabilitation and reconstruction, had reported attacks on its workers along the Abia state axis.

"I am deeply disturbed by these acts and strongly condemn them," the minister said.

"No administration in Nigerian history has invested more in rail infrastructure than President Muhammadu Buhari's current administration.

"I urge the media and the judiciary to work with the ministry to ensure that these economic saboteurs are not only identified, but also prosecuted and sentenced as soon as possible to serve as a deterrent to others.

Sambo also denied reports that funds intended for the eastern rail line had been diverted to other projects, calling them "fake news."

"So far, Nigeria has provided 15 percent of the counterpart funding, while the remaining 85 percent is still being negotiated," he added.

The federal executive council (FEC) approved the $3 billion reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line in 2020.

New branches of the rail line are expected to run from Port Harcourt to Bonny and from Port Harcourt to Owerri.

President Muhammadu Buhari expressed hope that the completion of the eastern narrow gauge railway project would revitalize "the once-vibrant eastern railway corridor and elevate the country's economy to the global stage."