Experts believe the vandalism of the $5bn railway infrastructure in Nigeria will further worsen the country’s economic woes if not addressed, OKECHUKWU NNODIM writes
But the railway system had in the past few years been reactivated by the current administration, as the government in partnership with donors had invested over $5bn on various ongoing and already functional rail projects. The Federal Government is still investing in the sector. In February this year, it held the ground breaking ceremony for the $2bn internationally-funded rail line connecting Northern Nigeria to neighbouring Niger Republic.
On October 14, 2021, The PUNCH reported that the Nasarawa State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps intercepted a heavy-duty truck which was conveying no fewer than 970 railway slippers to an unknown destination. The immediate past Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said, “This is a very sad development, because here we are talking about how to fix our infrastructure, knowing the role it plays in ensuring economic recovery, diversification and job creation.
Yusuf, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises, called for the strengthening of surveillance through the use of drones and other forms of technology. Yusuf added, “Therefore if you now have the reverse, where there is vandalism and destruction of this infrastructure, what you are going to have will will be an increase in transportation cost and inflation, which will make people poorer.
Also speaking on the matter, the former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr. Sam Nzekwe, described the vandalism of rail lines as dangerous to the economy. Nzekwe decried the dearth of patriotism in citizens, but stressed that this was also an indication that the Federal Government had failed the masses.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria cannot manufacture these items, because virtually all these materials were imported from China and other countries. We know how the naira has been falling against the dollar, so to import those items again will require much money.”
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