FG Bemoans Non-utilisation of Railway for Cargo Evacuation Obinna Chima The federal government has expressed dissatisfaction with the non-utilisation of railway transportation system for the movement of cargoes. The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi
Amaechi, said yesterday in Lagos that such a situation was not good for the growth of the rail sector. He spoke on the issue while discussing “Rail Infrastructure: Progress and Plan” at the Nigeria 2020 Economic Outlook organised by Deloitte.
According to him, unless businesses and individuals start utilising the railways for the movement of goods, it would be difficult for the federal government to recoup the huge amount spent in constructing the railways. He said: “Itakpe to Warri
railway is ready, where are the cargoes for it? So, you said the federal government should provide infrastructure, which we have done; we have awarded another contract to construct railway from Abuja to Itakpe, to connect Abuja to Warri, with a new seaport to
be constructed at Warri. “But at least for now, Itakpe to Warri is ready, but where are the cargoes? Nobody is talking about moving cargoes from Lagos to Ibadan, or from Ibadan to Lagos. “When you talk about railways, if it is to move
passengers alone, then there is no need to construct railways because it is very expensive.” He added that the federal government would soon commence construction of the railway from Ibadan to Continued on page 9
Naomi Campbell Seeks Afrobeats Category at Grammys... Page 8 Wednesday 29 January, 2020 Vol 25. No 9060. Price: N250
www.thisdaylive.com TR
TODAY'S WEATHER
ABUJA 25°C-33°C
MAIDUGURI 31°C-31°C
UT H
& RE A S O
ENUGU 25°C-28°C
N
KANO 27°C-33°C
LAGOS 24C-27°C
PORT HARCOURT 20°C-30°C
Buhari Expresses Shock at Level of Violent Crimes in the Country Promises tougher measures against bandits Senate backs community policing, to interface with IG Insecurity alarming, says House Omololu Ogunmade, Deji Elumoye, Chucks Okocha and Adewale Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed shock at the level of violent crimes in the North-west and other parts of the country, promising tougher measures against bandits that had made life
difficult for Nigerians. “I was taken aback by what is happening in the North-west and other parts of the country,” the president told a delegation from Niger State today in Abuja, adding: “During our campaigns, we knew about the Boko Haram. What is coming now is surprising. It Continued on page 9
Maryam Sanda to Appeal Death Sentence Justice was served, says co-convener of BBOG Alex Enumah and Udora Orizu in Abuja Mrs. Maryam Sanda, who was on Monday sentenced to death by hanging for killing her husband, will appeal the judgment, a member of his legal team has told THISDAY. Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had given her the maximum sentence for killing her husband, Mr. Bilyaminu Bello.
However, some women and civil rights activists have condemned the death penalty, describing it as unacceptable. But another activist and co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, welcomed the death penalty, saying that it was not only an adequate punishment but also that justice had been served in the case. Continued on page 9
PREPARING THE GROUND FOR FDI... Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (left), and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, after a meeting on combating human trafficking and attracting Foreign Direct Investment to the state in Abuja…yesterday
Court Bars Oyo LG Chairmen from Resuming Duties... Page 5