Senator says government will help develop rail sector

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District has called on foreign investors to see Nigeria as a haven for investments.

He made this call in China, on Tuesday September 12th 2017, during an inspection visit to CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd in Nanjing.

The Senator is part of a ministerial delegation from Nigeria to China inspecting rail coaches ready to be supplied by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd to the Nigeria Railway Corporation before the end of the year.

The Senator said, "Allow me to seize this opportunity to tell you that Nigeria is a fertile land that is open to Foreign Direct Investments. With our growing population and skilled manpower, you are not only guaranteed your return on investment, but also local content with which to maximize your investments."

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He further said "Let me quickly state, that I am here in my capacity as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport to represent the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What this translates to, is that I must work together with this contingent to ensure that the coaches we are here to inspect before delivery are befitting, contemporary and justify value for money."

Ashafa continued by expressing his satisfaction as regards the track record of the company and stating that the quality of coaches supplied to Nigeria would also serve as a marketing reference point for the company.

In his words, "I am quite impressed with the history of your company and the track record of performance across the world. I believe that the quality of coaches that you supply to Nigeria to boost our railway reinvigoration drive would also serve as a marketing point for potential clients across the world."

In conclusion, he reiterated the assurance that the Executive arm of Government and the Legislature are working in consonance towards ensuring a developed rail sector in Nigeria and a mutually beneficial relationship for both countries.

Amongst the other delegates on the inspection team are Hon (Engr) Aminu Sanni Issa, Chairman Land Transport House of Reps, Engr. Aljaji Sabiu Zakari, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Transportation, Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Engr. Usman Abubakar, Chairman Nigeria Railway Corporation, and Engr. Mohamed Tunji Babakobi, the Director of Rail Transport in the Federal Ministry of Transportation.