The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has described the inauguration of the Abuja-Kaduna rail services as the beginning of a revolution in Nigeria’s quest for inter-modal transport system.
Dr. Peterside who was speaking to journalists at the venue of the inauguration also noted that the railway system is one of Nigeria’s inter-modal transport systems that is underdeveloped.
While noting that the shipping industry and the airline industries are fairly developed with land transport even more so, the DG said that the lack of development of rail transport has negatively impacted intermodal transport system in Nigeria.
The DG however said that “with the inauguration of a modern train service connecting Abuja and Kaduna, and Mr. President’s avowed determination to connect major cities and towns with rail transport, a major revolution is in the offing in Nigeria’s quest to connect all the modes of transportation for the economic and social development of Nigeria”.
Dr. Peterside also said that the Federal Ministry of Transportation and all its Agencies are committed to integrating the various modes of transportation especially as it concerns the evacuation of cargo from the ports through the rail system which according to him “is more cost effective, safe and in line with global best practices”.
The Abuja – Kaduna rail line inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari was initiated by the Obasanjo administration and partly developed by the Goodluck administration before its completion by the present government. This reflects the government’s commitment to the completion of all projects that have direct impact on the wellbeing of the people.
