The Federal Government, yesterday, gave reasons why it is not in a hurry to resume train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, adding that doing so, would amount to insensitivity towards the predicament of families of kidnapped persons still in captivity.
Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, gave the indication while briefing newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja.
Responding to questions on the suspension of rail services in the aftermath of the March 2022 attack, he noted that two core issues remain at the heart of operations.
These, he said, include families traumatised by hostages and the government’s realisation of having surveillance facilities at strategic locations.
In the meantime, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attends physically for the first time after he sustained a fracture while playing squash.
He underwent a surgical operation on July 16, at the Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.
The nation’s number two was discharged on July 25 and has been recuperating at home, attending to official functions virtually.
Also, the gathering approved over N42 billion for construction and reconstruction in five North East states.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, stated that the four memos, she presented, were approved by the council for road construction, and reconstruction in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi states.
Her words: “For Borno, we have a 22.5-kilometre-road that is to be reconstructed. This road is Ngom-Koshebe and Ngom-Zabarmari-Gongulong-Kajari highway, with the contract sum of N13,553,902,668.95
“The second contract is on the reconstruction of 53-kilometre Gombe-Abba-Dukurfi road in Gombe and Bauchi states, in the contract sum of N11,697,355,449.61.
“The other road is the 54-kilometre Mutayi-Ngalda highway in Yobe state, with the contract sum of N12,199,182,845.70.
“The fourth is the one for Adamawa State – Garkida road – it has a contract sum of N6,202,214,413.29 inclusive of 7.5 VAT.
“All these roads are being taken into consideration and selected in conjunction with the state governments and other critical stakeholders. These roads are expected to stimulate our economic activities, enhance security and facilitate freer movement of goods and people in these affected states within the zone.”