The Minister of Transport, Idris Umar has said that the present administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has recorded giant strides in the actualization of its Transformation Agenda through the transport sector of the nation's economy.The Minister made this known during the Ministry's 2014Ministerial Press Briefing on the programmes and projects of the Ministry and its Agencies held on TuesdayOctober 21, 2014 at the National Press Centre in Radio House , Abuja. He added that the performance indicators of the Ministry's achievement in the transport sector contributed enormously to the growth and sustainability of the economy.According to him, the achievement would help to reposition the nation's economy for the overall benefit of the Nigerian people as the fundamental goal of the transport sector under the Transformation Agenda is to develop adequate, safe, environmentally sound, efficient and affordable integrated transport system within the framework of a progressive and competitive national and international market economy.Idris Umar further explained that the rehabilitation of over 90% of the entire existing narrow gauge lines throughout the country is ongoing; noting that the rehabilitation is the first segment of the 25 years railway strategic vision as part of reforms in the rail sub-sector. He intensified that the rehabilitation of 1,124km western rail line (Lagos - Kano) is completed while work in the 1,657 km eastern rail line (Port Harcourt-Maiduguri) is progressing steadily with the branch line from Kafanchan - Kaduna expected to be completed by December 2014."The construction of Abuja-Idu- Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail line is over 85% completed and is expected to be delivered by the end of 2014. The contract for the Lagos -Ibadan Standard Gauge (double track) 2 x 180km has been awarded and work will commence as soon as funding arrangement is concluded," he said. Adding, framework agreement was signed in May 2014 between the Federal Ministry of Transport and Messrs CCECC for the construction of a coastal railway line to connect ten States of the country.The Minister revealed that the Federal Government is currently making efforts to develop the Lekki Deep Sea Port in partnership with the Lagos State Government anda private company (Eurochem Technologies Corporation Limited) using an equity structure of 20:20:60 by the FGN, LASG and private investors. He also indicated that the process for the development of lbom Deep Sea Port in Akwa lbom State and Badagry in Lagos are in progress.While speaking on the contract for the dredging of critical parts of River Benue, he informed that the award will be completed in 36 months; insisting that the government had completed the dredging of the Lower River Niger from Warri (Delta State) to facilitate all year navigation. He stated that the Nigerian Shippers Council which was established by the NSC Act Cap. N133 LFN 2004 has standardized freight rate and assured a level ofcompliance by the providers of local shipping services to provide a level playing field for stakeholders in the industry through consultation. Umar noted that this has facilitated the establishment of six Inland Dry Ports in the country under PPP arrangement.He stressed the importance of collaboration with other African countries and the judiciary in the country, hinting that under the platform of the Nigeria - Niger Joint Commission (NNJC), the NSC in collaboration with the NPA has encouraged Niger Republic economic operators to utilize the Nigerian transit corridor for their imports and exports.

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