Nigeria-Rail Modernisation Project flag off .
Qasim Akinreti, Lagos. 29-11-06
The Phase one of the Nigeria’s railway modernisation project has been flagged off by the Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
BBC Online
Speaking at the ceremony in Ifo, Ogun State one of the historical railway towns in the southwest of Nigeria, the President described the event as epoch and a giant step toward socio -economic growth.
According to him, “the re –modernisation of Nigeria’s rail system is to complement government’s drive of economic regeneration”.
Transport Policy Thrust
For many communities and average Nigerian, the railway transport in the early 60’s and the late 80’s was a good means of transportation and a good avenue for excursion to various parts of the country.
From Kaura Namoda to Portharcourt, Lagos to Kano and Maiduguri to Enugu, the railway transport has contributed significantly to the rapid development of these cities.
His total collapse therefore has had a debilitating effect of the Nation transport system with more emphasis on road transportation. As part of the Obasanjo economic reform programme the revitalisation of the railway transportation was given more priority.
Voice of Nigeria Correspondent Yinka Otoki aptly captured this scenario in his report at the Ifo Railway station. (Audio).
The Chinese Partnership
Chain Nigeria long stranding partner in railway project is again in the saddle to assist her friend in need of rail transport regeneration.
Already, China has granted Nigeria 2 billion naira loan and the Chinese Deputy Transport Minister and the President of the Chinese firm, CCECC, has provided 8 billion naira to facilitate the construction of 1,315 rail links between Lagos and Kano, two major commercial cities in the country.
AP
To underscore the significant of the project President Obasanjo and his Chinese counterpart have had talks. Contract on the railing re-construction were signed few months back.
Others joining the fray
South Korea Posco Engineering Company had also signified interest in the rail project with a promise to spent 10 billion dollars on the project if given the contract.
It is also noteworthy that Nigeria transport officials have equally travelled to Japan, France, and United Kingdom to understudy the Privatisation of the rail system for Nigeria to overcome this challenge.
The second phase of the rail project will take off from Portharcourt, Southeast and end in Jos, North central of the country. The entire project will last for 25 years.
Links.
http://www.nigeria.gov.ng
http://www.railway-technology.com/news
http://www.china.org.cn
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sunday_magazine
Darfur Tops African-South American Summit.
Qasim Akinreti .29-11-06
The Darfur crisis in Sudan, will top the agenda of the African- American Summit in the Nigeria’s capital, Abuja on Thursday.
google
African Heads of states and government will use this opportunity to re –assess progress made by the political and peacekeeping options in the war torn area of Africa.
Nigeria had spearhead move to end the conflict in Darfur with the signing of agreement among the warring faction in Abuja early in the year. However, one of the rebel groups refuses to sign the deal.
New Initiative.
According to the schedule of the meeting, Ministers of Foreign Affairs will meet ahead of the heads of government talks to find tune their positions on the way forward to resolve the conflict in Darfur.
Aside from Darfur, the summit would largely discuss areas of cooperation and understanding for strategic development in Africa and South America.
In the Nigerian capital the heads of states and government would also use the African Union Summit to discuss Darfur issue.
google
The conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan - which the US government has called genocide - has already claimed the lives of between 200,000 and 400,000 people since 2003.
With no end to the violence in sight, the United Nations describes the situation facing the refugees in Darfur as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
Links
http://www.savedarfur
http://www.darfurinfo.org
http://www.darfurgenocide.org
Update Pope
Speaking in Ankara, the Pope has called for dialogue between muslins and Christians. He said the two great religions have a lot in common. He promises to support entry into the European Union.
links
Pope in Turkey
english.aljazeera.net
http://www.nydailynews.com/news
http://www.team-swap.com/wordpress
The Phase one of the Nigeria’s railway modernisation project has been flagged off by the Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
BBC Online
Speaking at the ceremony in Ifo, Ogun State one of the historical railway towns in the southwest of Nigeria, the President described the event as epoch and a giant step toward socio -economic growth.
According to him, “the re –modernisation of Nigeria’s rail system is to complement government’s drive of economic regeneration”.
Transport Policy Thrust
For many communities and average Nigerian, the railway transport in the early 60’s and the late 80’s was a good means of transportation and a good avenue for excursion to various parts of the country.
From Kaura Namoda to Portharcourt, Lagos to Kano and Maiduguri to Enugu, the railway transport has contributed significantly to the rapid development of these cities.
His total collapse therefore has had a debilitating effect of the Nation transport system with more emphasis on road transportation. As part of the Obasanjo economic reform programme the revitalisation of the railway transportation was given more priority.
Voice of Nigeria Correspondent Yinka Otoki aptly captured this scenario in his report at the Ifo Railway station. (Audio).
The Chinese Partnership
Chain Nigeria long stranding partner in railway project is again in the saddle to assist her friend in need of rail transport regeneration.
Already, China has granted Nigeria 2 billion naira loan and the Chinese Deputy Transport Minister and the President of the Chinese firm, CCECC, has provided 8 billion naira to facilitate the construction of 1,315 rail links between Lagos and Kano, two major commercial cities in the country.
AP
To underscore the significant of the project President Obasanjo and his Chinese counterpart have had talks. Contract on the railing re-construction were signed few months back.
Others joining the fray
South Korea Posco Engineering Company had also signified interest in the rail project with a promise to spent 10 billion dollars on the project if given the contract.
It is also noteworthy that Nigeria transport officials have equally travelled to Japan, France, and United Kingdom to understudy the Privatisation of the rail system for Nigeria to overcome this challenge.
The second phase of the rail project will take off from Portharcourt, Southeast and end in Jos, North central of the country. The entire project will last for 25 years.
Links.
http://www.nigeria.gov.ng
http://www.railway-technology.com/news
http://www.china.org.cn
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sunday_magazine
Darfur Tops African-South American Summit.
Qasim Akinreti .29-11-06
The Darfur crisis in Sudan, will top the agenda of the African- American Summit in the Nigeria’s capital, Abuja on Thursday.
African Heads of states and government will use this opportunity to re –assess progress made by the political and peacekeeping options in the war torn area of Africa.
Nigeria had spearhead move to end the conflict in Darfur with the signing of agreement among the warring faction in Abuja early in the year. However, one of the rebel groups refuses to sign the deal.
New Initiative.
According to the schedule of the meeting, Ministers of Foreign Affairs will meet ahead of the heads of government talks to find tune their positions on the way forward to resolve the conflict in Darfur.
Aside from Darfur, the summit would largely discuss areas of cooperation and understanding for strategic development in Africa and South America.
In the Nigerian capital the heads of states and government would also use the African Union Summit to discuss Darfur issue.
The conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan - which the US government has called genocide - has already claimed the lives of between 200,000 and 400,000 people since 2003.
With no end to the violence in sight, the United Nations describes the situation facing the refugees in Darfur as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
Links
http://www.savedarfur
http://www.darfurinfo.org
http://www.darfurgenocide.org
Update Pope
Speaking in Ankara, the Pope has called for dialogue between muslins and Christians. He said the two great religions have a lot in common. He promises to support entry into the European Union.
links
Pope in Turkey
english.aljazeera.net
http://www.nydailynews.com/news
http://www.team-swap.com/wordpress
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