S'East APC Seeks FG, N'Assembly Truce over Lagos-Calabar Rail Project

S'East APC Seeks FG, N'Assembly Truce over Lagos-Calabar Rail Project

The South-east caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the National Assembly to stop the blame-game and accommodate the Lagos-Calabar rail line project in this year's budget.

The party said its appeal is anchored on the truism of millions of employment opportunities and economic prosperity which the project would engender if implemented.

Addressing a press conference today in Abuja, South-east APC spokesman, Osita Okechukwu, described the project as one of priority projects of national importance, adding that the controversy over the project was "uncalled for and an ill wind that blows no one any good."

According to Okechukwu, "We also understand that the Lagos-Calabar rail project is in the China shopping list of President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigeria's infrastructural renewal.

“This being the case, what kind of message are those opposed to the project in the National Assembly sending to the Chinese government if they continue to bicker over mundane procedure, is it sabotage?

"Consequently, we appeal that the issue of procedure, whether it was not presented or lately presented or early presented by the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amechi, should be discarded in our collective national interest.

“For us, the prevailing position is that the project has been publicly presented to the nation and by extension to the world. All indication is that there is a national consensus in support of the project."

To avoid gridlock, he said the Lagos-Calabar rail project and other employment generating infrastructural projects should  be accommodated in 2016 budget, since they can be financed via Treasury Single Account (TSA), loans and recovered looted funds.

"Our advice is that let's not throw the baby away with the bath water because the welfare and prosperity of Nigerians far outweighs political gains. To erase this ungodly insinuation, we once more appeal to the National Assembly not to be caught in political cross-fire.

"We reckon that Nigerians have all along enjoyed the cordial bi-partisan relationship between the executive and legislative arms, which hitherto, existed since the convocation of the eighth National Assembly which made it possible for the ministers and other appointees to clear it seamlessly. Let the cordial relationship continue for good of the polity," the South-east APC spokesman said.