Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, has underscored the imperative for augmented funding to propel the modernisation initiatives aimed at revamping the country’s railway infrastructure, in consonance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at a briefing before the National Assembly in Abuja, the Minister reiterated the pressing challenges confronting railway projects and emphasised the necessity of additional financial support to overcome these obstacles.
Addressing the House Committee on Land Transportation, the minister accentuated that without a substantial increase in funding, the ministry would confront formidable impediments in achieving its goals of modernising and expanding the nation’s railway network.
Furthermore, the Minister underscored the significance of organizing exchange visits and providing operational logistics to ensure the efficient functioning of the transportation system. He underscored that these crucial aspects require substantial financial backing for successful implementation and sustenance.
This call for enhanced funding comes at a critical juncture when the nation’s rail infrastructure urgently requires significant improvements to meet the burgeoning demands of a growing population and economy. Enhanced rail transportation not only facilitates connectivity but also contributes to economic expansion, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
Given these challenges, the Minister urged the national assembly to “prioritise the allocation of additional funds to the Ministry of Transportation”.
He asserted that increased funding is pivotal to drive the much-needed modernisation and expansion of the rail network, ultimately benefiting the entire nation.
