Port Harcourt-Aba train now to begin operations April, connects two seaports

Port Harcourt-Aba train now to begin operations April, connects two seaports

The Federal Government says the launch of the Port Harcourt-Aba train service will take place in April this year.

Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali,

disclosed this to journalists after inspecting the reconstructed railway tracks in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The minister also said measures were being taken to connect both Port Harcourt and Onne seaports to the Port Harcourt to Aba rail track.

The launch was initially scheduled for the end of March.

Alkali expressed disappointment over the delay, adding that the contractor has given assurance of the project’s completion in April.

“This is my second-time visit to Port Harcourt to inspect the progress of the (Port Harcourt-Aba) railway line since assuming office as the minister of transportation,” he said.

“The contractor initially committed to a March start date, but during track inspections, they made some observations necessitating the extension of the start date to April.

“The contractor has now committed to an April launch for the Port Harcourt to Aba railway services.”

“We are not satisfied with the failure of the contractor to deliver the work on the agreed deadline,” he said.

“The contractor promised delivery of the project by March, but if they can deliver it in April, then I think that we can manage that.

“We started with the 15 percent component in fixing the Port Harcourt to Aba rail section, but we are now, focussing on linking the line to Port Harcourt and Onne Ports.”