Abuja light rail: FG injects N10bn, insists on 2015 completion deadline

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a class="irc_mil" data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-russian-high-speed-passenger-train-image28778720" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;"><img class="irc_mi" height="436" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/russian-high-speed-passenger-train-28778720.jpg" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 68px;" width="595" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">THE Federal Government of Nigeria has injected N10 billion for the completion of Abuja light rail project handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) with an assurance that the project would be completed in 2015.</span></div> <center style="height: 0px; margin: auto; overflow: hidden; width: auto;"> <div style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: left;"> </div> <div id="ebzNative"> </div> </center> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The fund was given through the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The project, jointly financed by the Federal Government and China EXIM Bank through a loan of $500 million commenced in 2009 and has attained 52.7 per cent completion.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The chairman of SURE-P, General (retd) Martin Luther Agwai, who spoke after a tour of the project noted that the programme would make sure that funds meant for the project would be made available to ensure that the project is delivered on schedule.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He stated that the project, when completed, would make mass transit system in Abuja a success.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He said, “This project will take a lot of people by surprise when it is completed. It is a worthwhile exercise. In the long run, the mass transit system in Abuja will be a success and I am happy you are also including bicycle lane which has now become a good source of transportation in most cities. Of course it takes you quicker than walking and also it helps you to exercise yourself.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“This is one of the projects that will provide a mass transit for people working in and around the central area and other satellite towns of Abuja.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“It is very clear that a lot of work has gone down here with many of us not knowing that there such a form of development in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Speaking earlier, FCT Director of Transportation and Light Rail Project Implementation Unit, Kashim Alli disclosed that work on the project was stalled due to paucity of fund.</span></div> </div>

Abuja light rail: FG injects N10bn, insists on 2015 completion deadline

THE Federal Government of Nigeria has injected N10 billion for the completion of Abuja light rail project handled by China Civil Engine...

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Performance: Presidency blasts Fashola for attacking President Ebele Jonathan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">B</span>y Henry Umoru<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />ABUJA—THE Presidency yesterday carpeted Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State for accusing President Goodluck Jonathan’s government of being inactive for three years, saying the governor might have been occupied in his state to know the achievements of the administration.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At a briefing in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who admitted that there were some challenges, insisted that the government was giving its best attention to the problems.</span></div> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_459753" style="border: 0px; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 422px;"> <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/performance-presidency-blasts-fashola-attacking-jonathan/atiku-fashola/" rel="attachment wp-att-459753" style="-webkit-transition: background-color 0.2s linear, border-top-color; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: background-color 0.2s linear, border-top-color; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt=" LECTURE: From left; Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Chief Timipre Sylva at the 50th birthday lecture in honour of the former Bayelsa State Governor at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja yesterday." class="size-full wp-image-459753" height="250" src="http://dvsl3w2q45hb8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ATIKU-FASHOLA.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: margin 0.2s linear, box-shadow; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.247059) 1px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: margin 0.2s linear, box-shadow;" width="412" /></span></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">LECTURE: From left; Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Chief Timipre Sylva at the 50th birthday lecture in honour of the former Bayelsa State Governor at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja yesterday.</span></div> </div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Okupe was reacting to comments by Governor Fashola during a lecture at the 50th birthday celebration of former Governor Timipre Sylva.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fashola was quoted as saying “this government had been inactive for 3 years and in the fourth year intends to give the electorate kerosene, price and money for the purpose of seeking their votes.”</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, according to Okupe, “it has become necessary for us to respond to some blatant and obvious lies, deliberate and skillful misinformation contained in the lecture given by Governor Raji Fashola at the 50th Birthday celebration of former Governor Timipre. Governor Fashola stated that “this government had been inactive for three years and in the fourth year intends to give the electorate kerosene, price and money for the purpose of seeking their votes. Nothing can be further from the truth than this. ‘</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">”We admit that Governor Fashola may have been too occupied in Lagos and that may have narrowed his vision or precluded him from appreciating lofty developments by this administration all over the country.”</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Jonathan’s achievements</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“We state as follows: The Government of President Goodluck Jonathan, has never lied about its achievements, programmes, commitments and even challenges within the Nigerian context. The Government inherited a generating capacity of 2800 Mega Watt, MW, 10 comatose National Integrated Power Projects, NIPPs, and an inefficient Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, the privatisation of which, though central to effective power supply, was never the less, seemingly unachievable.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“In three years, the Government has increased power generation to 5000MW with an installed capacity of 7000MW; which itself would have increased but for sabotage and vandalism sponsored by the opposition. The PHCN was seamlessly and transparently privatised to the acclamation of global players. All the comatose NIPP projects have been completed and brought back to life and their initial problem of non-alignment with gas pipe line infrastructure has been corrected.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“In the last three years, through the execution of its transformation Agenda, this administration, contrary to the assertions of Governor Fashola, has made significant achievements in the following areas:   Railways – which were comatose for 20 years, have been revamped. Lagos-Kano lines have been opened and currently carry in excess of 5 million passengers per annum from less than 1 million 4 years ago.”</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On infrastructure</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Infrastructure – several thousands of our major economic arterial roads have been rehabilitated while more than 2000km of new roads constructed. Aviation – Virtually all our airports international and local have been comprehensively rehabilitated and refurbished.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">”Agriculture – local food production has more than tripled. Food imports bill drastically reduced. We have become the largest exporter of cassava in the world. We have increased local Rice Production from 1.5 million tons to 3.5 million tons. We have revived the rice milling in the country. We had 1 million three years ago. Today, we have 18 million. A recently commission mill in Nasarawa is the largest in Africa.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On commerce and industry</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Commerce and Industry – A new sugar master plan is working. We will be self-sufficient in sugar production in 10 years. We are currently net exporter of cement. Housing – for the first time in Nigeria history, a Mortgage Refinancing Company has been formed and capitalized with $ 300 million. This will allow low and middle income Nigerians to be able to access long term mortgage loan at cheap rates nationwide.”</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On economy</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Economy – We have maintained healthy economic indices in the last three years. We have successfully diversified the Nigeria economy. Latest figure shows that contribution from oil has significantly reduced.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">”We are currently the largest economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world. If we are able to maintain the current trend, we will be among the world top 20 in 10 years.”</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On insurgency</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“On the issue of insurgency, the President has not lied to the people of Nigeria. Insurgency is a global phenomenon which has recently plagued the country. At its peak, it ravaged some 12 States in the North including Abuja. Today, because of the courage, resilience and capability of our Armed Forces and Security Agencies, we have pushed them to the fringes of the North Eastern parts of the country. There are still obvious challenges but Government is giving it the best attention and considerations possible.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Recently, Foreign Allies including Britain, USA, France, Israel, China and Australia have arrived Nigeria soil and are co-operating with our military to resolve especially the issue of the kidnap of the Chibok girls. These are the best global players and have been with us for about six weeks. If the releasing of the girls was a tea-party, definitely, it should have been over by now. We have said it before and we will say it again, “yes, we know where the girls are but our approach at releasing them must be carefully weighed against their overall safety.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“It is a matter of National disgrace and shame that highly placed, and highly net worth individuals in the country will continue to politicise the Nations misfortunes and challenges not minding the deleterious and untoward demoralizing effects this attitude have on our Military especially, the widows and innocent children of our Military heroes who die daily on the fields, defending their country”.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On missing $49 billion</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“On the issue of the purported missing $49 billion from the NNPC account, it is regrettable that even some of the best among us will in the name of politics descend so low to propagate a confirmed falsehood. Even the originator of this story has since changed the figures at least three times. From $49 billion to $12 billion and to $20 billion, yet, none has been substantiated.”</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <br /></div>

Performance: Presidency blasts Fashola for attacking President Ebele Jonathan

B y Henry Umoru ABUJA—THE Presidency yesterday carpeted Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State for accusing President Goodluck Jonathan...

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China rebuilds landmark African railway

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div class="minimalsharewrapper" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 30px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> <div class="minimalshare" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 664px;"> </div> </div> <br /> <div class="post-2245 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-africa tag-angola tag-china tag-railway tag-train" id="2245" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294); 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font-weight: normal; line-height: 40px; margin: 18px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span itemprop="name" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">China rebuilds landmark African railway</span></h1> <div class="clear" style="border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"> </div> <div class="featuredimage" style="background-image: url(http://www.cctvnews.cn/wp-content/themes/extranews/images/loading.gif); background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; 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font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="CCTVNEWS" class="avatar avatar-64 photo grav-hashed grav-hijack" height="64" id="grav-1358a2b8d0ece8829011d00d7c34ccdf-0" originals="64" scale="2" src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/1358a2b8d0ece8829011d00d7c34ccdf?s=128&d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D64&r=G" src-orig="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/1358a2b8d0ece8829011d00d7c34ccdf?s=64&d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D64&r=G" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 100px; border-bottom-right-radius: 100px; border-top-left-radius: 100px; border-top-right-radius: 100px; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto !important; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; max-width: 100% !important; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="64" /><ul class="authorinfo" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px; max-width: 200px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <li class="name vcard author" itemprop="author" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">August 14, 2014</span></li> <li class="url" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></li> </ul> <div class="clear" style="border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> China has finished rebuilding the landmark Benguela railway, connecting the African nations of Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The 1344-km railway, which took seven years to rebuild, is the second longest ever to be constructed by China in Africa.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> China Railway Construction, the company, which carried out the project, says that it involved a total investment of $1.83 billion.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> It had been awarded the project in 2006, after its cost-effective bid bested competitors from the US, Brazil, Russia and Portugal.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The Benguela railway was first built by the Portuguese in 1929. It suffered extensive damage damaged during the 27-year Angolan civil war, which began in 1975.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The completion of the Benguela railroad will only boost China’s credentials among the African nations. Already, many of them are keen on inviting Chinese companies to help build rail networks.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> In fact, during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Kenya in May this year, the two countries signed a deal for China to build a new railway line between Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The line will be built as per Chinese railway design standards, and is expected to be completed in five years.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Chinese technology and experience in rail networks, particularly with regard to high-speed railways, have also evoked the interest of Latin American buyers.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Latin America last month, China, Brazil and Peru issued a joint statement on building a transcontinental railway project.</div> <div class="clear" style="border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"> </div> <div class="clear" style="border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"> </div> </div> </div> </div>

China rebuilds landmark African railway

Politics No Comments China rebuilds landmark African railway August 14, 2014 China has finished rebuildi...

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A Remodeled Railway System On The Way for Nigerians - FG

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h1 class="entry-title posttitle" itemprop="name headline" style="border: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1884px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: inherit;">Begins with Lagos, 7 other states</span></h1> <div id="entryContainer" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="entry entry-content" itemprop="articleBody" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 6px 0px 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Federal Government has commenced remodeling of existing railway stations across the country through Public Private Partnership, PPP, initiative.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Disclosing this in Abuja during a visit of the body of Permanent Secretaries, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar said that the Federal Ministry of Transportation is focused on its mandate particularly in respect of the country’s railway system.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">According to Umar, the first phase of the railway stations project, is to be remodeled and redeveloped to connect,  Ebute-Meta in Lagos, to  Ilorin, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Jos and Gombe.</span></div> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_305300" style="border: 0px; float: right; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 422px;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/hang-on-train-face-suicide-trial-nrc/train1/" rel="attachment wp-att-305300" style="-webkit-transition: background-color, border-top-color; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: background-color, border-top-color; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="File photo: Passengers hanging on a moving train in Lagos at Ikeja Railway Station, Lagos..." class="size-full wp-image-305300" height="250" src="http://dvsl3w2q45hb8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/TRAIN1.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: margin 0.2s linear, box-shadow; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.247059) 1px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: margin 0.2s linear, box-shadow;" width="412" /></span></a></div> <div class="wp-caption-text" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">File photo: Passengers hanging on a moving train in Lagos at Ikeja Railway Station, Lagos…</span></div> </div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He said, “Following the lifting of the embargo on rent and lease of Nigerian railway Corporation’s land and landed properties, the redevelopment of the Nigerian railway stations through Public Private Partnership is being processed.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">”Transaction Advisers have been commissioned to drive the process for private sector participation”.</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Umar underscored the modernisation of the railways stations in the country as part of the ultimate solution to the problems hampering the development of the sector.</span></div> <br /> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He stated that the advertisements for the expression of interest are expected to be published next month.</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The minister stated that the Federal executive Council has approved the establishment of six Inland Deep Ports also under the PPP arrangement while the federal government has given its approval of Lekki port while the other five namely Ibaka, Agge, Olokola, Badagry, and Ogidigbe/Escravos deep seaports are being processed.</span></div> <br /> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He further stated that the approval of six dry ports have also been given including Isala-Ngwa in Abia state; Ibadan, Kano, Haipang in Jos, Funtua in Katsina and Maiduguri.</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">According to the minister, “We are working seriously to build new seaports in the country because the ports are overstretched particularly Lagos where 60 percent of our cargoes are being handled”.</span></div> </div> </div> </div>

A Remodeled Railway System On The Way for Nigerians - FG

Begins with Lagos, 7 other states The Federal Government has commenced remodeling of existing railway stations across the country thro...

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