President Jonathan’s performance in transport sector is unprecedented --- PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday in Abuja said the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan in the transport and aviation sector was unprecedented.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, in a statement, said the party and well-meaning Nigerians were happy with the on-going transformation in the sectors.

According to the statement, the transformation in the two sectors has supported greater economic productivity across the country.

“Under President Jonathan, rail services have returned, enhancing not only commerce but also national integration.

``Today, the Lagos-Ibadan-Osogbo-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano narrow gauge has been rehabilitated with improved fast coaches providing regular services.

``The Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu intercity train has been opened for operations, while container cargo freight services from Apapa port complex have commenced,’’ the statement said.

It said that already, rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Enugu-Markurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi-Gombe-Ashaka-Maiduguri and the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna was at completion stage and would be operational soon.

According to the statement, work on the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line has also reached advanced stage and it is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2015.

This, the statement said was in addition to the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge line which was projected to resume full operation by the middle of 2015.

It further said that other segments of the new standard gauge speed train network had been planned with contract already awarded for the Lagos–Ibadan segment.

It said a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new railway line that would run from Lagos to Calabar extending to the Obudu Cattle Ranch had been signed.