ABUJA: President Jonathan’s exploits in the
Transport Sector As the nation march towards another milestone in her nascent democracy with the February 14 elections looming, many Nigerian’s have been repeatedly fed with false stories and information propaganda about the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
Most persons have been so blindfolded that they hardly make out time to research the transformational leadership of the present administration in key areas of the economy such as education, agriculture, health, industrialization amongst others. It is against this backdrop that I present to you the achievements of the Goodluck Jonathan’s achievements in the transportation sector of the economy. The importance of an effective and efficient transport sector that is comprised of road, rail and aviation in an economy can never be over emphasized. Before now, our rail system was practically non-functional; our aviation sector was marred with numerous problems as well as the road transport. In line with the President Jonathan’s quest to transform the economy, rail services have returned, boosting not only commerce but also national integration. Today, the Lagos-Ibadan- Osogbo-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna-Zaria-
Kano narrow gauge has been rehabilitated with improved fast coaches providing regular services. The Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu intercity train has been opened for operations while container cargo freight services from Apapa port complex have commenced. Already, rehabilitation works on the Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Enugu- Markurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi-Gombe-
Ashaka-Maiduguri, as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna are at completion stages and will be operational soon. In the same vein, work on the Abuja- Kaduna standard gauge rail line has reached advanced stage and is expected to become operational in the
first quarter of 2015. This is in addition to the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge line, which is projected to resume full operation by the middle of 2015. Other segments of the new standard gauge speed train network are planned, with contract already awarded for the Lagos–Ibadan segment. Already, a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new railway line that will run from Lagos to Calabar, extending to the Obudu Cattle Ranch has been signed. Passengers carried by rail have increased from 1 million in 2012 to 4.2 million in 2013 and still growing with the opening of new lines in 2014.
On land transportation, the investment friendly environment created by the Jonathan administration has resulted in increased participation of private individuals and companies in road mass transit, including those funded through SURE-P and other financing windows, thereby reducing the land transport challenges faced by Nigerians. Giving an overview of the achievements in the water transport sector, the dredging of the River Escavos and the Niger from Warri to Baro in Niger State and the inland city ports in Onitsha have since been completed to create the much desired inland water channel for movement of personnel and goods. This is in addition to the acceleration of
the dredging work at the Lokoja axis and the opening of coastal transport services. In the last three years, over 6.7 million passengers and over 1.6 million tonnes of cargo have been moved through this channel.
In the same vein, extensive port reforms by the administration have paved the way for availability of twenty-four hour services with clearing time reduced from 39 days to 7 days for trouble-free cargo. On Aviation, it is incontrovertible that this sector, which in the past was denied desired attention, has been revamped and repositioned by President Jonathan.
In line with the President’s Transformation Agenda, the Aviation ministry and its parastatals were immediately restructured while obsolete infrastructure were either replaced or upgraded in all the major airports across the country in line with international best practices. Under the Jonathan administration, all 22 federally-owned airports across the country were remodelled to ensure safety and improved passenger services. Five new Airport Terminal Buildings and air-field facilities have been constructed while existing ones are being reconstructed. These efforts have received global acknowledgement including the attainment and retention of the FAA Category One Status. These achievements by the Jonathan’s administration in the transport sector can be consolidated upon if he is given another chance to continue his giant strides.
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Let the good works continue... GEJ till 2019!!!

ABUJA URBAN MASS TRANSPORT ON STRIKE.......................transformation indeed.........see people everywhere, STRANDED.