The Ministry of Transportation said on Thursday that the Abuja–Kaduna Rail Modernisation Project would still be delivered this year.
In a statement, Mrs Yetunde Sonaike, the Director, Public Relations of the ministry quoted the Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, as saying that the project would be delivered this year, in spite of the failure to meet the initial May 2016 deadline.
Amaechi said in the statement that the consultants had advised the ministry not to rush them so as not to make mistakes in the completion of the technical aspects of the project.
According to the statement, that had also stressed the need to do the test-run before commissioning the project for the commencement of commercial services.
The statement said that the ministry had taken delivery of new coaches in Abuja and were expecting three more coaches to be delivered soon.
The statement expressed optimism about the successful completion of the project in good time.
It said that maintenance, operations and management of the project would generate employment and address security issues in the country.
It further said that the ministry would facilitate the building of new hospital blocks and convent for the Daughters of Charity Catholic Hospital, Kubwa, a satellite town in the FCT, following its demolition, to give way for the rail project.
“Government was passionate about the plight of the patients and staff of the hospital.
“Government is working with the officials of the ministry to ensure that the hospital’s compensation claims are paid on time.
“The Right of Occupancy for the new site has been delivered to the management of the hospital.
“We are working with the contractors to facilitate possible construction of new hospital blocks at a reduced and affordable cost.”
It listed other measures to ensure smooth relocation of the hospital to include engaging the contractors handling the Rail Modernisation projects to donate a convent to the hospital and fencing of its new site as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
