The Honorable Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibike Ameachi has charged the newly inaugurated Board Members of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) not to slow down the activities and infrastructural development in the rail sector, hence it will affect the master plan and even the economic blue print of the Buhari led administration in the transportation sub sector.
The Minister gave the hint during the inauguration of the twenty member board chaired by Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan at the ministry’s conference room in Abuja.
According to the minister, The board should maintain a harmonious relationship with the management of the corporation so as to achieve the objectives of the Government, adding that in line with the Guides to administrative procedures in the Federal Public Service, Chapter 7, the minister may give the Board of Directors directions of general character or relating generally o particular matters to the statutory body with regards to discharge of the boards function, he said.
Ameachi in his speech, reminded the members that in other to foster an economy that is robust, transparent, accountable and in line with international best practices, the Federal Government embarked on the restructuring and repositioning of various Parastatals under the ministry among which is the Railway corporation. For us in this government, the NRC is very dear to our heart and you can see all what this administration is doing to reduce the traffic on our roads, therefore once again I urge you to work harmoniously with the management so we can deliver all projects in good time.
Inaugurating the Board, the minister said, given the high integrity of members, Mr. President has approved the appointment of the following as members of the Board of Nigerian Railway Corporation:
Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan as Chairman
Mr. Kayode Isiak Opeifa Member
Hon. Dele Obadina
Malam Idris Waziri Othman
Hon. Idahosa E. Charles
Hon. Gabriel E. Edi
Hon. Alh. Ali Bukar Dalori
Musa Bayero Muhammad
Alh. Abubakar Bobboyi J.
Hon. Gbenga Otolorin E
Rt. Hon. Adetunji Taiwo O
Maj Gen. Chioba Ekwenugo
AIG. Umar U. Ambursa (Rtd)
Others are
Engr. Yakubu W. Bello
Paul Gowon Haruna
Hon. Musa Mahmood
Senator Maitama Yusuf
Prof. Obiarari Nnamdi O.
Dr. Helen Gabriel Longpet and
Mr. Augustine C. Umahi .
In a brief response by the Chairman, Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan Musa, he thanked Mr. President, Muhamadu Buhari, the Minister of Transportation and the entire Railway Corporation for finding them worthy to serve on the board and promise to work hard to see to the continues development of the rail sector.
According to him, the continued operation of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan rail which is about to be commissioned, the proposed Kaduna- Kano-Daura-Jibia line, the proposed East-West line project and the University of Transportation projects etc are all geared towards assuring a sustainable modern railways system in Nigeria.
