Home News Nigerians Call out FG over MoU Signed with UK Firm for Port Harcourt–Abuja Rail Line
News

Nigerians Call out FG over MoU Signed with UK Firm for Port Harcourt–Abuja Rail Line

603
Nigerians Call out FG over MoU Signed with UK firm for Port Harcourt–Abuja rail line

Nigerians have raised concerns over the capability of MPH Rail Development Limited, a United Kingdom-based firm the Federal Government contracted to build the Port-Harcourt—Calabar—Abuja Standard gauge rail line.

On March 13, 2024, the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK firm on behalf of the Federal Government to enable the company to carry out the design, construction, commissioning, operation, and transfer of the project under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Following the announcement which awaits the Federal Executive Committee approval, Nigerians have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express concerns over the capacity to deliver considering the company is new in the rail construction industry.

The criticism also bothers on the need to revisit an existing project as noted by a former presidential aide, Tolu Ogunlesi, who stated that there’s already a Warri—Itakpe Standard Gauge Rail, suggesting an extension from Warri to Port Harcourt and from Itakpe to Abuja to get Port Harcourt — Abuja Standard Gauge Rail.

However, the Managing Director of MPH Rail Development Group, Andrew Jason, has shown the company’s credibility records on past projects, including a joint yet seasoned operation of young and highly skilled engineers, consultants, and managers with expertise utilised in building prestigious capital projects such as HS2, Eurotunnel, Network Rail, Thameslink and Dubai Metro.

Meanwhile, Jason had made it public knowledge on his LinkedIn profile, his involvement in an ongoing 1,1448km railway project in Nigeria as a PPP engagement with the Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Transportation.

“We are currently working on a 1,448km railway in Nigeria as a PPP with the Nigerian Government,” he stated.

Read: Stop Meddling, Akpabio Will Not Resign Over Ningi’s Suspension – APC to PDP

About The Author

Written by
Mayowa Durosinmi

M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

Related Articles

NewsSecurity

Tinubu Commissions Greater Abuja Water Supply Network as Benue Mourns Massacre Victims

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, commissioned the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project,...

NewsSecurity

“I Will Adjust my Schedule” – Tinubu to Visit Benue After Criticism Over Silence on Yelewata Mass Killings

President Bola Tinubu has rescheduled his planned visit to Kaduna State and...

News

Burkina Faso Nationalises Five Gold Mines

Burkina Faso has completed the nationalisation of five gold mining assets as...

Obi to protest leaders
News

Peter Obi Slams Tinubu’s Habitual Lack of Compassion Over Benue, Niger Tragedies

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola...