The eastern district manager, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Modibo Mohammed has said laying of new railway line from Port Harcourt to Umuahia would be completed by next year.
“The first phase which covers 63 kilometres to Aba, will be completed by the end of the year, while the second, which is from Aba to Umuahia will be delivered in the first quarter of next year,” he said.
Mohammed stated this yesterday when he paid the Abia State governor, Alex Otti a business visit at his country home in Umuru Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South local government area.
He said when the corporation’s services are restored in the district, it would create job opportunities for the youths and alternative means of transportation for the people.
Mohammed, therefore, solicited the support of the administration in protecting rail tracks delivered in some locations in the state and provision of logistics to assist them in security.
Responding, Otti expressed dissatisfaction at the disruption of the corporation’s services in the district, appealing to the manager to ensure the project is completed as scheduled.
He pledged the administration’s preparedness to partner and provide the corporation all it required to succeed as well as requested to be kept abreast of developments in the project.