Alkali Calls For Collaboration To Improve Nation’s Rail Transport
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali has expressed the need for Nigeria to collaborate with developed nations through Public Private Partnership (PPP) to improve its rail transport system.
Alkali stated this in Lisbon during a courtesy call to the Director of Comboios De Portugal, Helena Figuenedo, according to a statement made available on Thursday by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Umar Jibril.
The minister said, improving rail transport remains one of the key priorities of the President Bola Tinubu led administration.
He affirmed that the federal government was determined to collaborate with Portugal in the area of rail transport system.
The senator maintained that Nigerian government would be glad to receive a technical/ inspection team from the European country to enable them have dialogue in the area of Locomotives and coaches refurbishment aimed at promoting both passenger train and freight services in Nigeria.
He added that while passenger trains are meant to render social services to the Nigerian populace, on the other hand, freight services are designed to earn more revenue to the coffers of the Federal government.
Speaking earlier, Figuenedo expressed appreciation over the Nigeria’s delegation visit to Lisbon assuring their unwavering commitment to partner with the West African country, pointing out that Portugal had its huge investments in Angola, Mozambique and other countries across the globe.
She said the Corporation which was established in 1856 plays a significant role to the socioeconomic growth of the country through strengthening inter connectivity between the country and France as well as Spain.
In his contribution, the Managing Director, Mota Engyl, Mr. Pedro said it is timely for Nigeria to partner with Portugal for training of its Railway staff to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
He explained that 80% of the gas being used in Portugal comes from Nigeria, adding that the cordial relationship that exists between the two countries needs to be sustained for prosperity.
On Monday, 10th March, the team had visited Comboios De Portugal, at Porto, the second largest city in the country.
The delegation comprises of Members of the National Assembly Committee on Land transport, Directors from the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
