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Of what use is Kano-Niger Republic rail to us? – Benue leaders
BY PAUL SILAS
Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom and a former president of the senate in the third republic, Iyorchia Ayu, have criticised the federal government over the approval for the construction of railway from Kano, Nigeria to neighbouring Niger Republic.
Ortom and Ayu are of the opinion that the $1.96 billion approved for the Kano-Niger Republic rail project would have been channelled into reconstructing the numerous failed federal roads across the country as well as linking the various states by rail.
The two prominent Benue leaders spoke at the inauguration of the reconstructed Ahmadu Bello Way in Gboko, capital of Benue, by Gov Ortom, on Monday.
While lamenting the menace of erosion in Gboko, Otukpo and Ogbadibo local government areas of the state, Ortom snapped: “I condemn the Federal government construction of rail line to Niger Republic. This fund can be used to reconstruct rail lines, especially Makurdi-Kaduna, Port Harcourt-Makurdi and Lagos-Makurdi in the country.”
Continuing, he queried: “Of what benefit will the rail line to Niger do to us?”
READ: FEC approves $1.96b Kano-Niger Rep rail line, N12b for Arochukwu-Ohafia road
Ayu said the money voted for the project should be channelled on reconstructing of dilapidated federal roads across the country.
He decried the state of federal roads in the country, adding that Benue had long been neglected in infrastructure.
“I call on our National Assembly members to tell the President to fix our roads. It is wrong for the Buhari administration to construct rail line from Kano to Niger Republic. The money should be channelled to repair of roads in the State. We do not need a rail line to Niger,” he said.
Turning to the governor, the former senate president said: “The allied forces have ganged up against you but do not be distracted. As long as you are doing what the people want and defending us, no one will do anything to you.”