The minister of transportation, Mr. Mu’azu Sambo, announced at the weekend that the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) had suspended work on the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line over insecurity.
A statement from the ministry said the minister disclosed this during an inspection tour of the project in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday.
He said CCECC which handles the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the project, had complained of attacks on its workers along the Abia State axis.
“I am very displeased by these acts and I condemn it in strong terms. I call on the media and the judiciary to collaborate with the ministry to ensure that these economic saboteurs are not only exposed but prosecuted and sentenced speedily to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
Sambo also refuted reports being circulated that funds meant for the eastern rail line were diverted to other projects, describing it as “fake news”.
“The progress made so far is from 15 percent of the counterpart funding by Nigeria while the 85 percent to be provided by foreign partners is still negotiated,” he added.
Recall that in 2020, the federal executive council approved the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line valued at $3 billion.
The rail line is expected have new branches — from Port Harcourt to Bonny and from Port Harcourt to Owerri.
