REHABILITATION OF EASTERN CORRIDOR RAIL LINE – SOUTH EAST GOVs seek collaboration

Reporter : AMECHI ODO

South East Governors Forum has resolved to collaborate with South South, North Central and North East Governors to interface with the Federal government on how to seek funding for the rehabilitation of Eastern Corridor Rail Line running from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri in Bronu State.

The Chairman of the Forum, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State stated this while briefing newsmen at the end of a virtual meeting by South East Governors at Government House Abakaliki.

Chief Umahi explained that the decision became necessary as the Forum had discovered that there was no provision of funds for the project.

“its an existing Rail line, its to repair some existing terminals that have collapsed and its very important for our people, before people use to travel from Port Harcourt to Enugu to Makurdi to Maiduguri so we want to see this line resuscitated and funding made available for it”

Chief Umahi said South East Governors would also engage the Federal government on how to factor the South East zone in the ongoing Gas Pipeline Development Project which according to him was private sector driven.

” the unfortunate that the Gas pipeline is going to take live from South East and South South which means that there will be a line from South South and South East which they said they will do, so we are also engaging the Federal government on this”

Governor Umahi said the Forum would at its next meeting unveil a name for the joint security outfit for the zone before State Houses of Assembly embark on the enactment of a law to establish the outfit.

According to him, the Forum commends President Muhammadu Buhari for the on-going second Niger Bridge and assured that the reopening of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu on 30th of next month was on course.