The Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s decision to approve $1,959,744,723.71 for the construction of a rail line that will link Nigeria to Niger Republic has sparked outrage on social media.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi informed State House correspondents of FEC’s decision shortly after Wednesday’s meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that the rail line would link Kano-Dutse-Katsina-Jibia to Maradi in Niger Republic.
However, many Nigerians took to social media to berate the Federal Government for committing more than N700 billion to a rail project with doubtful economic impact.
Taking to Facebook, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Oladepo stated, “Why can’t FG first complete the internal rail projects before thinking of extending to neighbouring countries.
“For now Lagos to Kano supposed to be a priority because of the number of States that would benefit.”
Oyewole Oyedele wrote, “Why Niger Republic when we are confronted with huge infrastructural gap?”
Agbama Elohor wrote, “This man and his cabinet are so obnoxious. The money you’re borrowing at the expense of the country’s sovereignty you are then using it to construct rail into another country.
“Have you connected all the parts of the country? Buhari!!! why must you show that you clueless at every time?”
Yemi Adepoju also wrote, “Why are we so in a hurry extending railway to Niger when the ones at home are derailing?
“Let’s fix our home first. Nobody should cross our borders to another country yet biko.”
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Wilson Ojukwu declared, “Niger Republic is more important to PMB than a federating unit in Nigeria referred to as Southeast. Still on the 97%/5% punishment. This is so upsetting.”
Oluwole Azeez-Shittu also said, “Our internal transportation is bad but BABA want to connect us with Niger … Well done for always making wrong decisions.”
Oluwaseyefunmi Steve Adamson stated, “At least the influx of the guys disturbing the Nigeria will be able to access 9ija through train into Nigeria rather than coming in by power-bike.”
Jolomi Sunday said, “Sentiment will never allow this country to grow, instead of constructing rails that will connect all the high economy viable state first, like kano to Lagos- ibadan- Enugu- Abia- Rivers- Benue- kogi- Abuja back to Kano.”
Eric Evwierhoma queried, “What is the benefit of linking Niger by train to us that we should invest such huge amount into the project alone without required co-funding by Niger Republic too.”