The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo says N52bn out of N147bn budgeted for the ministry, has been released.
He said N38bn had been utilized as of 25th October 2022.
A statement quoted Sambo to have made this disclosure in Abuja on Thursday while presenting a budget of N92.6bn to the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Land and Marine Transport for the ministry and its agencies for the 2023 fiscal year.
The statement reads, “Permit me to also report that the Lagos – Ibadan segment of the Lagos – Kano, and Itakpe to Warrii railway project are fully operational and receiving patronage from the general public.
“To reach practical completion on these projects, some aspects of works, including the construction of Overpass Bridges, connection to the National Grid, and other ancillary provisions have to be completed.
“Therefore, adequate funds need to be provided in the 2023 budget to facilitate the practical completion of the projects.
“While recording successes achieved in the Railway Subsector, permit me to also mention the sad occurrence of the Abuja – Kaduna Rail incident. With the release of those abducted, the Ministry plans to commence operation on the line, but not without taking proper precautions by installing necessary security gadgets to monitor the line and forestall a reoccurrence.”
