We are not looking at quick fixes for infrastructure – FG

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the present administration is laying the foundation for an enduring infrastructural development and not looking for quick fixes that will not last.

The minister stated this yesterday while inspecting the FCT railway system and stations in Abuja, as part of the nationwide inspection of infrastructural projects by his ministry.

He said the rail project was one which no single administration could start and finish but with the commitment of successive governments.

He said it was not correct that the rail facility is for the rich, stressing that when fully operational it would be subsidized Kaduna- Abuja 50% subsidized.

The minister who noted that the facility which was originally awarded in 2007, was 53% completed by the Jonathan administration before the present administration took over.

“My pride is that when we came in, this project was only 53% completed and we took 18 months only to complete just like the rail which is it. In 8 years or 12 years, or even 20 years time if we continue to sustain it, every part of the metropolis will be covered by rail and 20 years is such a short time in the life of a country or a city” he said.

While showing the minister round the Idu facility, Secretary Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat (FCTA) Kayode Opeifa said 48 more coaches were expected, while three are already operations.

He said the coaches would come in batches and urged Nigerians to give government benefit of the doubt as it has shown the political will to transform the infrastructural landscape.

Opeifa said the project has employed over 5000 Nigerians during the course of the work with over 95% of local content. on ground for