Calabar–Lagos Rail Project Was Reflected In 2016 Budget To N-Assembly – Budget Minister Confirms

The minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma has made it clear that the N60 billion Lagos–Kano and Calabar–Lagos rail lines were reflected in the 2016 budget to the relevant committees of the National Assembly after the first errors were corrected.
The minister, in a statement by his Media Adviser,  Akpandem James said that the corrected versions from the errors in the initial proposals of a number of ministries were submitted to the relevant committees of the National Assembly by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
“This included that of the Ministry of Transportation. The amended Ministry of Transportation budget was accepted by the relevant committees and that was the version defended by the Minister of Transportation and his team.
“It must be emphasized that the two rail projects are part of those for which the President is currently negotiating funding with the Chinese government.
“This is the counterpart funding to support the Chinese financing for the projects. These projects are part of the Strategic Implementation Plan of the government which was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning at the National Economic Council Retreat in March 2016, in the presence of state governors.”
The minister referred to the recent controversies surrounding the budget, which he said has made it necessary for him to clarify the issues.
He said that the details of the 2016 budget were received by the President on Thursday, April 7, 2016 and that immediately it was received, the President, desirous of signing the document into law as soon as possible, directed that copies should be made available to Heads of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.
“Ministers were asked to go through the details and give their reactions as it affects their respective Ministries so as to guide the President and enable him sign the Appropriation Bill into law.
“That process is still on-going and no statement has been issued by the Executive on the matter, apart from the one by the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohamnmed, to confirm that details of the budget are being examined.
“No final decision has been taken by the President and no other statement whatsoever has been issued on the matter.
With reference to the specific issue of the Calabar – Lagos rail project, we will like to state that the two railway projects, Lagos – Kano and the Calabar – Lagos, are very important projects of the present administration; and it was always the intention of the Executive to have both projects reflected in the budget submitted to the National Assembly.
“It is hoped that with this clarification, the raging controversy over the Calabar – Lagos rail project will be put to rest.” [myad]