President Goodluck Jonathan said all state capitals would
be linked with rail transportation to boost the nation's economy.
Jonathan stated this in London at the 17th meeting of the Honorary
International Investment Council (HIIC) with the theme: Rail
Transportation.
He said that with such nationwide rail coverage, roads and highways
would be better maintained, adding "if we do not link state capitals by
rail, our roads will not last.’’
On upgrade and expansion of the nation's public infrastructure, the
President said the economy of the country cannot be moulded
without good infrastructure.
"Quite a number of companies construct roads to their sites. This is
not supposed to be so. We are committed to addressing this, we
have been working hard and we have improved our road networks
significantly.’’
He expressed optimism that government will resurface all federal road
networks across the country within the next three years.
"We intend to initiate some new ones that are very critical especially
to link up Port Harcourt city and Bonny the major gas exporting
terminal of our country’’, Jonathan said.
The President also informed the HIIC members of government's
commitment to securing the nation's air space and improving the
quality of airport terminal buildings.
Jonathan assured that government was determined to end security
challenge facing the country.
"We are improving in the area of security, for about a week now, no
new story of Boko Haram holding territories.
"Instead, we are reducing them by the day, before now, many local
government areas in Borno State were taken by Boko Haram, but
now it has reduced.
"We are working to put an end to the holding of territories by Boko
Haram’’, he stressed.
Baroness Lynda Chalker, HIIC Coordinator, said the council had
focused on various sectors of the economy since inception.
"But this 17th meeting will focus on rail transportation given its
critical role to the economy.’’
She held that positive news about Nigeria was over shadowed by
what is happening now. "We must work together to project positive
news and achievements.
"It is not in anybody's interest to run Nigeria down’’, she said.

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