SENATOR VICTOR UMEH PRESENTS MOTION ON EASTERN RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT

Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central presented a motion on:

THE URGENT NEED TO INCLUDE EASTERN RAIL LINES IN THE NIGERIAN RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

In his lead debate for the motion he, noted that inclusiveness is the essence of governance in a democracy which is further buttressed by the provisions of the 199 Constitutions of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended) which categorically states:

"(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, is shall be the duty of the state to-
a) Provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throghout the Federation;
(4) The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties"

Contributing, DSP noted that though the issue of Eastern Rail line has been discussed before and Govt promised to address it, but up till now, nothing concrete has been done. The supposed loan to finance the Eastern Gauge Line has not been sent to National Assembly for approval yet.

Many Senators spoke in favour of the Motion, calling on the FG to endeavour to include the Eastern Gauge line in this 2018 appropriation for reasons of equity.

The Senate applauded the Senator for such a vital motion to the floor and hence
finally resolved to:
1. Call on the FG to restore services on the Eastern Rail Lines which is currently out of use
2. Call on the FG to include the Eastern and North Western Rail lines in its ongoing Railway Standardization Programme and reflect same in 2018 Appropriation Bill for implementation
3. Urge FG to include the Eastern Rail lines of the Nigerian Railways as one of the beneficiaries of the $6.8 Billion Dollars loan approved towards the Standardization and Modernization of the Nigerian railways
4. FG should include Markurdi, Jalingo and Yola on the Eastern Rail Line