Swagaholic01:
AND you brought about monorail because your pau matters asked you to ridicule he man on social media?? You just ended up showing everyone that you're a paid writter

HospitalityDiva:
This is the reason why the black race will continue to be underdeveloped. Not because of our looting leaders, but because of the hopeless followers that defend their looting activities.

Just imagine what some commenters above me are saying to defend the looting.

AutoJoshNG:
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of River state and Minister of Transportation in the last dispensation, is one man that courts controversies effortlessly.

The former Minister is also famous for declaring publicly that he has never accepted a bribe, and that he would not be tempted, much less yield, because he does not like money.

In the recently dissolved cabinet of President Mohammadu Buhari, Rotimi Amaechi was one of the most active and outstanding ministers.



In the last 4 years, he was constantly in the news on account of several railway reconstructions and expansion projects around the country.

Rotimi Amaechi, during his stint as the governor of River state and as the Minister of transportation, had been the focus of several controversies.

Interestingly, some of the biggest controversies involving him centred on the cost of railway construction projects.

Autojosh highlights 2 of the controversial railway projects that Rotimi Amaechi has been embroiled in.


The Port Harcourt Monorail Project



Rotimi Amaechi conceived the idea of the Port Harcourt Monorail project in 2008 during his first term as governor of River state.

The project was intended for mass transportation within the Port Harcourt metropolis.

While announcing the monorail project, Amaechi said it would be the first of its kind in West Africa.

Two companies bided for the contract: Urbanord, an American company and TSI, a local company owned by a one-time military administrator of Rivers State, Colonel Anthony Ukpo.

The foreign firm bided N25 billion to complete the Phase 1 which was a 12-kilometre distance in the design, while TSI quoted N50billion for the same distance. Amaechi opted for the indigenous firm.

However, this decision did not get the buy-ins of Amaechi’s cabinet.

When it became hard to get the endorsement of his cabinet members, he allegedly dissolved the cabinet to have his way and later reconstituted it after the contract award.

This accounting is according to a submission by the Director, Safety and Aviation, Engineer Says Antioch of the State Ministry of Transportation before Justice George Omwreji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Sale of Assets of the state by former Governor Amaechi.

The contract for the construction of the Port Harcourt monorail was designed to cover 12 kilometres at the cost of N50 billion.



The first phase of the project was to cover Aggrey road through Station road- Azikiwe road-Aba road to Water lines junction.

In 2015, at the completion of Ameachi’s second term in office, the project had already been abandoned.

Sources said the work already done at the point of abandonment covered only 2.6kilometers. At that point, it had already gulped N33.9billion.

Many considered that spending as much as 33.9 billion on a 2.6-kilometre railway project was outrageous.

There had also been allegations that the cost of the project, compared with similar projects in other states, was suspicious.

Since Amaechi left office, the project has remained abandoned, as the current government, led by Governor Nyesom Wike, has distanced himself from the project.


Lagos-Ibadan railway



In April 2017, the Federal Government announced that it had begun the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway line.

The Goodluck Jonathan-led government originally contracted the project for nearly $1.5 billion.

However, the Buhari administration – under the supervision of the Rotimi Amaechi-led Ministry of Transportation – rewrote and renegotiated the contract with the Chinese construction firm handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Multiple news reports said while the 156-km Lagos-Ibadan railway line is estimated to cost $2b.

The Line will run from Iddo in Lagos to Ibadan in Oyo State, passing through Abeokuta in Ogun State. It will also have an extension to the Apapa Ports Complex.



However, in May this year, a news report published by a Ghanaian news media revealed the cost of a similar railway construction project in Ghana.

In the report, Ghana locked down its own standard gauge deal with another Chinese firm, which would also include the building of two terminals in addition to plans to establish local hubs to build locomotive coaches.

The Ghanaian railway line, which will run on a 340km track, will cost Ghana $2.2 billion.

The reports suggested that the Lagos-Ibadan railway project may have been significantly inflated considering the cost per distance of the two projects.

Since the Lagos-Ibadan railway project is roughly one-third shorter, without any significant differences in gauge-type, power source or terrain, many wondered how Ghana got a better deal with the Chinese.



https://autojosh.com/rotimi-ameachi-and-the-2-controversial-rail-projects/

HospitalityDiva:
This is the reason why the black race will continue to be underdeveloped. Not because of our looting leaders, but because of the hopeless followers that defend their looting activities.

Just imagine what some commenters above me are saying to defend the looting.

nototribalist:
In a reasonable country, Amaechi would've been executed siiiinncee.


But See how lucky he is being a Nigerian

deomelo:




This is so sad and disheartening, it's a total abdication of responsibilities and irresponsible act ever.

So, the ci=urrent governor refused to finish a major project started by his predecessor and the public funds already spent most go to waste just because the project was started by your predecessor.

It's like Ambode refusing to continue with or fund the Lagos Metro rail because it cost too much or because it was started by Fashola.

I'd understand if as the 2nd richest state in Nigeria he instead started other major and groundbreaking projects like Amaechi, but so far, nothing major, just mediocre and visionless rubbish.

Very sad.

deomelo:





The $2.3 billion GEJ stole and gave to Dasuki/ATM to share with the likes of FFK/Fayose, Metuh and others is enough to build 2 Lagos Ibadan railway, these are the real issues me real facts the average Nigerian don't talk about, but they will do anything to latch on to worthlessness gossips and rumors.

magzey:
who de compare Nigeria and Ghana, they use Cedi we use Naira and the exchange rate is different. am happy i saw Rail during PMB and under GEJ we only see pictures in papers.

Swagaholic01:
AND you brought about monorail because your pau matters asked you to ridicule he man on social media?? You just ended up showing everyone that you're a paid writter

AutoJoshNG:
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of River state and Minister of Transportation in the last dispensation, is one man that courts controversies effortlessly.

The former Minister is also famous for declaring publicly that he has never accepted a bribe, and that he would not be tempted, much less yield, because he does not like money.

In the recently dissolved cabinet of President Mohammadu Buhari, Rotimi Amaechi was one of the most active and outstanding ministers.



In the last 4 years, he was constantly in the news on account of several railway reconstructions and expansion projects around the country.

Rotimi Amaechi, during his stint as the governor of River state and as the Minister of transportation, had been the focus of several controversies.

Interestingly, some of the biggest controversies involving him centred on the cost of railway construction projects.

Autojosh highlights 2 of the controversial railway projects that Rotimi Amaechi has been embroiled in.


The Port Harcourt Monorail Project



Rotimi Amaechi conceived the idea of the Port Harcourt Monorail project in 2008 during his first term as governor of River state.

The project was intended for mass transportation within the Port Harcourt metropolis.

While announcing the monorail project, Amaechi said it would be the first of its kind in West Africa.

Two companies bided for the contract: Urbanord, an American company and TSI, a local company owned by a one-time military administrator of Rivers State, Colonel Anthony Ukpo.

The foreign firm bided N25 billion to complete the Phase 1 which was a 12-kilometre distance in the design, while TSI quoted N50billion for the same distance. Amaechi opted for the indigenous firm.

However, this decision did not get the buy-ins of Amaechi’s cabinet.

When it became hard to get the endorsement of his cabinet members, he allegedly dissolved the cabinet to have his way and later reconstituted it after the contract award.

This accounting is according to a submission by the Director, Safety and Aviation, Engineer Says Antioch of the State Ministry of Transportation before Justice George Omwreji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Sale of Assets of the state by former Governor Amaechi.

The contract for the construction of the Port Harcourt monorail was designed to cover 12 kilometres at the cost of N50 billion.



The first phase of the project was to cover Aggrey road through Station road- Azikiwe road-Aba road to Water lines junction.

In 2015, at the completion of Ameachi’s second term in office, the project had already been abandoned.

Sources said the work already done at the point of abandonment covered only 2.6kilometers. At that point, it had already gulped N33.9billion.

Many considered that spending as much as 33.9 billion on a 2.6-kilometre railway project was outrageous.

There had also been allegations that the cost of the project, compared with similar projects in other states, was suspicious.

Since Amaechi left office, the project has remained abandoned, as the current government, led by Governor Nyesom Wike, has distanced himself from the project.


Lagos-Ibadan railway



In April 2017, the Federal Government announced that it had begun the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway line.

The Goodluck Jonathan-led government originally contracted the project for nearly $1.5 billion.

However, the Buhari administration – under the supervision of the Rotimi Amaechi-led Ministry of Transportation – rewrote and renegotiated the contract with the Chinese construction firm handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Multiple news reports said while the 156-km Lagos-Ibadan railway line is estimated to cost $2b.

The Line will run from Iddo in Lagos to Ibadan in Oyo State, passing through Abeokuta in Ogun State. It will also have an extension to the Apapa Ports Complex.



However, in May this year, a news report published by a Ghanaian news media revealed the cost of a similar railway construction project in Ghana.

In the report, Ghana locked down its own standard gauge deal with another Chinese firm, which would also include the building of two terminals in addition to plans to establish local hubs to build locomotive coaches.

The Ghanaian railway line, which will run on a 340km track, will cost Ghana $2.2 billion.

The reports suggested that the Lagos-Ibadan railway project may have been significantly inflated considering the cost per distance of the two projects.

Since the Lagos-Ibadan railway project is roughly one-third shorter, without any significant differences in gauge-type, power source or terrain, many wondered how Ghana got a better deal with the Chinese.



https://autojosh.com/rotimi-ameachi-and-the-2-controversial-rail-projects/

post=79485944:


The best Minister in Nigeria .

Keep up the good works sir!

To the next level of our country we go.

God bless Nigeria.

duni04:
I'm an old member of NL and haven't posted in a while but this thread has forced me to say something today. I'm disgusted and irritated by the audacity of the OP of this thread to post blatantly false information all over this article. To write that Amaechi awarded the PH rail contract to a firm with a higher bid is a blatant lie. To write that Amaechi abandoned the PH monorail before his administration ended is another blatant lie. To write that he dissolved his cabinet just so he could award an inflated contract is another audacious and daring lie. To write that Ghana awarded a similar project at a lower cost is another blatant lie. The first thing wike said when he became governor in 2015 was that he wouldn't pump any more money into the monorail and he woud abandon it. I remember contributing to the thread on that topic in 2015 and blasting Wike.
Ghanians were even in Nigeria last quarter to monitor progress on the Lagos ibadan link as they're using the same contractor as we are. The part that autojosh saw as a headline for the ghanians was a section of the rail which would obviously be cheaper, not the entire length as in Lagos to Ibadan.
Autojosh should better take this smelling nonsense article full of lies off his blog before someone calls the attention of Amaechi to it. Amaechi doesn't take nonsense from people. He will see this article and sue you to court. Nairaland mods should also beware as you're also liable.

deomelo:




Amaechi should be executed for saving us $800 million by renegotiating the contract that OBJ and GEJ overbudgeted for $800 million.

If that's the case, what do you think should have happened to OBJ and Jona for trying to swindle us for $800 million?

What do you think should have happened to Jona for giving $2.3 billion to DASUKI/ATM to share with his cronies like Fayose, FFK, Metuh, Dokpesi and others?

You don't think they should all have been executed also?

Many of you are just too misguided and ignorant for your own good.

When you sidetrack yourself with hatred and pettiness, you allow yourself to be looted and swindled.

colestephan86:

I'm not trying to defend anyone here, but we need to ask how many lanes of rail line is being constructed in Ghana cos wat these guys are doing here is a dual lane rail.
As I said I ain't defending anyone

duni04:
I'm an old member of NL and haven't posted in a while but this thread has forced me to say something today. I'm disgusted and irritated by the audacity of the OP of this thread to post blatantly false information all over this article. To write that Amaechi awarded the PH rail contract to a firm with a higher bid is a blatant lie. To write that Amaechi abandoned the PH monorail before his administration ended is another blatant lie. To write that he dissolved his cabinet just so he could award an inflated contract is another audacious and daring lie. To write that Ghana awarded a similar project at a lower cost is another blatant lie. The first thing wike said when he became governor in 2015 was that he wouldn't pump any more money into the monorail and he woud abandon it. I remember contributing to the thread on that topic in 2015 and blasting Wike.
Ghanians were even in Nigeria last quarter to monitor progress on the Lagos ibadan link as they're using the same contractor as we are. The part that autojosh saw as a headline for the ghanians was a section of the rail which would obviously be cheaper, not the entire length as in Lagos to Ibadan.
Autojosh should better take this smelling nonsense article full of lies off his blog before someone calls the attention of Amaechi to it. Amaechi doesn't take nonsense from people. He will see this article and sue you to court. Nairaland mods should also beware as you're also liable.

SocialFinance:
Op this is bad job .What is to be done in Nigeria is doing a double lane not a single lane like Ghana

Also included is the compensation lpaid to owners of to be used. My church got some thousands of Naira for our land used in Ibadan.

Nigerian rail line is to be constructed afresh but for Ghana majorly rehabilitation of already existing and old line.

This is surely a terrible comparison you have done. Why do you think Ghanaian cancel the contract, it's inflated when compared to the Nigerian rail cost